Christmas Cookies: Belly Button Bears

Belly Button Bears

These adorable cookies are a Christmas favorite and are scooped up at Cookie Exchanges and the first thing to sell out at Bake Sales. If all the ball rolling seems too tedious, simply hand roll one small ball of dough and bake for a delicate and tender ginger snap. 

Mix together in a large bowl:

1 egg room temperature

1 cup brown sugar

¾ cup vegetable shortening

¼ cup molasses

Add to mixture and combine to form dough:

2 ¼ cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon each of ground cloves, cinnamon and ginger

Hand roll the dough into 3 sizes of balls for each bear shaped cookie:

            1- 1 inch ball for the bear’s body

1-     ½ inch ball for the bear’s head

            6- ¼ inch balls for the ears, paws and feet

Assembly each bear on the parchment paper 2 inches apart. Cookies will spread when baked. Bake 350 for 10 – 12 minutes. While the cookie is cooling on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, place a chocolate chip (bottom side up) in the bear’s tummy for the belly button.  Makes 1-1/2 dozen cookies and recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.