Cookie Bears

Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr 40 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened (no substitutions)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• frosting or decorative candies or candy sprinkles or colored crystal sugar, for decoration (optional)

Recipe

• 1 throughly combine the oatmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.
• 2 set aside.
• 3 beat sugar and butter with an electric mixer until light and creamy.
• 4 melt chocolate chips (either in the microwave or over hot water in a double boiler).
• 5 add the melted chocolate, eggs and vanilla to the sugar mix and beat well.
• 6 add the oatmeal mixture to the sugar mixture and mix well.
• 7 cover and chill until easy to work with.
• 8 heat oven to 350 degrees f.
• 9 for each bear: make a 1" ball for the body, a 1/2" ball for the head and 1/4" balls for the arms, legs and ears.
• 10 place on an ungreased cookie sheet and gently press together to form bears.
• 11 flatten bear slightly.
• 12 bears should be at least 2" apart.
• 13 makes 24 bears.
• 14 bake 8-10 minutes or until just firm to the touch.
• 15 do not overbake.
• 16 cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
• 17 decorate as desired with frosting and candies.