Cinnamon Bear Cookies in Berlin

 

Bears abound in Berlin!  Big bears, little bears, solid colored and intricately painted sculptures of bears can be found greeting pedestrians on sidewalks and in storefronts all over the city.  Officially, they are called United Buddy Bears, and serve as fiberglass goodwill ambassadors, representing peace and tolerance.  I dare even the most stoic of pedestrians to avoid smiling at one of these darling bears.

My pint-size travel companions thought the Berlin Bears were grand, and they also happen to think cookies are grand, so Crowded Earth Kitchen is combining the two for you today.  I hope you enjoy this delicious recipe for Cinnamon Bears!

Ingredients (Makes 36, 3 inch cookies)

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups white flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions

Step 1) Cream together butter and powdered sugar.  Add egg, milk, and vanilla extract.  Mix well.

Step 2) Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well.

Step 3) Chill dough in covered container for at least two hours.

Step 4) Working with half the dough at a time (keeping the other half refrigerated), roll dough 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface.  Use a cookie cutter to cut bear shapes in dough.

Step 5) Line baking sheets with parchment paper, and carefully transfer bear cutouts onto the parchment paper.  Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 8 – 10 minutes, until edges begin to brown.

Step 6) Cool and enjoy!