Ingredients
1 cup butter, cubed2/3 cup packed brown sugar2/3 cup molasses1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract4 cups all-purpose flour1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon1 teaspoon ground ginger3/4 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon ground clovesMiniature chocolate chipsDecorating icing and sprinkles
Preparation
In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and molasses. Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Pour into a large bowl; let stand 10 minutes. Stir in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda and cloves; gradually add to butter mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°. Shape dough into ten 2-in. balls, ten 1-in. balls, forty 1/2-in. balls and twenty 3/8-in.balls. Place the 2-in. balls on 3 foil-lined baking sheets for the body of 8 bears; flatten to 1/2-in. thickness. Position 1-in. balls for heads; flatten to 1/2-in. thickness. Attach four 1/2-in. balls to each bear for arms and legs. Attach two 3/8-in. balls for ears. Add chocolate chips for eyes and buttons.
Bake 10-12 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes before carefully removing to wire racks to cool completely. With frosting, pipe ears, muzzle and paws; add sprinkles for fingers, toes and nose.
