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Vanilla Paw Print Cookies

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Vanilla paw print cookies are as tasty as they are cute. They are built on a chewy sugar cookie with tasty chocolate paws on top.

Hand holding vanilla sugar cookie with chocolate candy paw print decoration on top.

If you are looking for a fun new way to enjoy sugar cookies, you have found it. These paw prints are perfect for graduation parties, pet themed parties, and more.

They can be polar bear paws or call them dog paws or cat paws if you would rather. No matter what animal you choose, be sure to make these fun cookies.

Collection of vanilla paw print cookies with sugar cookie base and chocolate candy paws on top.

Luckily, you don’t have to have any special skills or tools to decorate these cookies. It just takes a few minutes to press the chocolate into the hot cookies to make them look darling.

The hardest part is to wait for the chocolate to set back up. They taste great hot and gooey, too, if you just can’t wait.

Making Cute Paw Cookies

The base of these cookies is buttery and rich. It is basically a chewy sugar cookie.

Bake them a little bit longer if you like a crisper texture. Or take them out early if you like them extra chewy.

Ingredients including butter, sugar, flour, eggs, baking powder, salt, vanilla, chocolate chips and chocolate wafers ready to be made into cookies.

All you have to do is mix together a really simple cookie dough. It only takes seven simple ingredients that are likely already in your pantry and kitchen.

To help them keep a nice shape, you want to chill the dough before you scoop it. Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes, but up to two days before scooping and baking it.

The dough is soft but not super sticky. It scoops easily with a small cookie scoop and that gets you the perfect one Tablespoon ball of dough.

You can roll the balls of dough in granulated sugar if you want to. Or just scoop them straight onto the cookie sheet if you prefer.

The sugar rolled cookies will have a little extra crunch on the exterior. The dough without the sugar coating has a softer bite. Both ways taste great, so it is whatever your preference is.

The cookies should look puffy when they come out of the oven without taking on a lot of color. As soon as they come out of the oven, push in the chocolate pieces to look like a paw.

We used Ghirardelli chocolate melting disks for the center of the paw. The size is perfect, and they taste amazing.

I learned after posting peanut butter paw print cookies, people take paw prints having four toes very seriously. So push four chocolate chips into the cookie to make it look like a paw.

Pro tip: For size reasons, it is best if you use a different brand of chocolate chips. The Ghirardelli chips tend to be bigger which makes them harder to fit on the cookie and changes the visual effect.

Allow the cookies to cool completely and ensure the chocolate is set before stacking the cookies in an airtight container. That’s all it takes!

Storing Fresh Baked Cookies

Cookies store for up to a week at room temperature. Put them in an airtight container with a slice of sandwich bread to keep them softer for longer.

For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. Just bring them back to room temperature before serving.

When should I make paw print cookies?

These cookies are perfect for so many occasions. We make them as a cute addition to our Christmas cookies, but they would also be perfect for cat or dog themed parties. Or make them for tailgates and game day if your mascot is a cougar, bear, dog, cat, lion, tiger and more.

Can I freeze paw print sugar cookies?

Yes, the baked cookies freeze well. Just put them in a freezer safe container and pop them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them defrost at room temperature to enjoy.

Close vanilla paw print cookie showing light colored vanilla base and dark chocolate paws on top.

More Fun Cookie Recipes

If you want another fun cookie, try making funfetti birthday cookies. They are loaded with colorful sprinkles and white chocolate chips.

For a sweet and salty option, try making my grandma’s potato chip cookies. Or make kitchen sink cookies with pretzels, chocolate, and caramel bits.

Or make chocolate covered cherry blossom cookies that have a cordial cherry perched on top of a soft chocolate cookie. They are another fun option for the holidays or any time.

Check out my collection of cookie recipes for even more tasty inspiration.

Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!

Yield: 64 Cookies

Vanilla Paw Print Cookies

Hand holding vanilla sugar cookie with chocolate candy paw print decoration on top.

Vanilla paw print cookies are as tasty as they are cute. They are built on a melt in your mouth butter cookie with tasty chocolate paws on top.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 54 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 64 chocolate melting wafers
  • 256 chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Cream together butter and sugar until the mixture is light and airy.
  2. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until combined. Stir in the vanilla.
  3. Add the baking powder, flour, and salt. Mix until it forms a soft uniform dough.
  4. Chill for at least 30 minutes, but up to two days.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  6. Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough, a small cookie scoop works well for this. Roll the balls of dough in additional granulated sugar if desired. Place 2 inches apart on a parchment or silicone mat lined cookie sheet.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
  8. Once removed from the oven, immediately place a chocolate wafer and 4 chocolate chips in the shape of a paw print on each hot cookie.
  9. Allow to cool completely and the chocolate to set back up before stacking in an airtight container for storage.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

64

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 156Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 43mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 2g

All nutritional information is estimated and will depend on the exact ingredients you use.

Did you make this recipe?

I'd love to see it! Share a picture on Instagram or Pinterest and tag me @carleecooks to let me know how it went!

Vanilla paw print cookies are as tasty as they are cute. They are built on a melt in your mouth butter cookie with tasty chocolate paws on top.

Thanks for sharing!

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