Brown Butter Maple Bear Cookies

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Brown Butter Maple Bear Cookies.

1. Step 1

   To start your delightful cookie adventure, grab a light-colored saucepan and melt some butter over medium heat.

2. Step 2

   Keep an eye on it and swirl the pan often, watching as the butter transforms into a beautiful golden brown and fills your kitchen with a nutty aroma—this should take about 8 to 10 minutes.

3. Step 3

   Once it reaches that perfect color, remove it from the heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes in a mixing bowl.

4. Step 4

   Now, stir in the maple syrup and dark brown sugar until everything is well blended.

5. Step 5

   Next, add in the vanilla extract, maple extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a pinch of salt, mixing until all the flavors are fully incorporated.

6. Step 6

   Gradually introduce the all-purpose flour and baking powder, stirring until you have a smooth, cohesive dough.

7. Step 7

   Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld and the dough firm up.

8. Step 8

   When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

9. Step 9

   Once your dough is chilled, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of it and roll it into a ball.

10. Step 10

    Place this on your prepared baking sheet and gently flatten it.

11. Step 11

    For the bear’s snout, take a small 1/4 teaspoon of dough, roll it into a tiny ball, and flatten it before placing it on top of the larger dough ball.

12. Step 12

    For the ears, roll two tiny balls from 1/8 teaspoon portions of dough and place them on either side of the snout.

13. Step 13

    Repeat this fun shaping process until all your dough is used, making sure to space the cookies about an inch apart.

14. Step 14

    To help them hold their shape, chill the baking sheet in the fridge for 20 minutes.

15. Step 15

    Now it’s time to bake! Slide the cookies into your preheated oven and let them bake for 20 to 23 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned.

16. Step 16

    Once they’re done, allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

17. Step 17

    For the finishing touch, melt some chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring until smooth.

18. Step 18

    Once melted, transfer the chocolate to a piping bag or a small zip-top bag with a corner snipped off.

19. Step 19

    Get creative and pipe little eyes and noses onto your cooled cookies, letting the chocolate set before you serve these adorable treats.

20. Step 20

    Enjoy the smiles they bring!.