Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup blue royal icing
  • 12 chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp yellow sanding sugar
  • 12 miniature cocktail umbrellas

Instructions:

  1. Cream the chilled butter and brown sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
  2. Beat in the egg and vanilla until fully emulsified.
  3. Gradually fold in the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours to prevent spreading.
  5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  6. Roll the chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
  7. Cut out bear shapes or scoop one large ball for the head and two small balls for the ears.
  8. Place on a parchment-lined sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until the edges are a light golden brown and the centers are set.
  9. Allow cookies to cool completely on wire racks.
  10. Dip the bottom third of the bear in blue royal icing to create ocean water.
  11. Sprinkle yellow sanding sugar on the edges to mimic a sandy shoreline.
  12. Press one chocolate chip onto the snout and two on the eyes.
  13. Finish by leaning a mini umbrella against the bear's side.