Chocolate Cookie Bear

Ingredients

• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 8  tablespoons (1 stick) butter, softened (do not substitute)
• 1  cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
• 2  eggs
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 2  cups Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
• 1-1/2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4  teaspoon salt (optional)
•   Ready to spread frosting
•   Assorted small candies, candy sprinkles, colored sugar

Preparation

In large bowl, beat sugar and butter with electric mixer until creamy. Add melted chocolate, eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined oats, flour, baking powder and salt; mix well. Cover; chill about 2 hours.

Heat oven to 350°F. To make bears, shape dough into 1-inch balls for the bodies, 1/2-inch balls for the heads and 1/4-inch balls for the arms, legs and ears. On ungreased cookie sheets, gently press pieces together to form bears, placing 2 inches apart. Flatten bears slightly.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or just until firm to the touch. (Do not overbake.) Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely.

Decorate as desired with frosting and candies. Store tightly covered.

Variations

<STRONG>Cook's Tip:</STRONG> To melt chocolate chips: place in dry measuring cup or small microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth. Or, place in top part of double boiler over hot (not boiling) water; stir occasionally until smooth.

Yield

2 DOZEN