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.
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.
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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 with notes of vanilla.
Bake them a little bit longer if you like a crisper texture. Or take them out early if you like them extra chewy.
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!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store 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.
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.
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.
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.
If you tried this recipe, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments. Hungry for more? Be sure to stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Vanilla Paw Print Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4¼ cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 64 chocolate melting wafers
- 256 chocolate chips
Instructions
- Cream together butter and sugar until the mixture is light and airy.2 cups unsalted butter, 2 cups granulated sugar
- Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until combined. Stir in the vanilla.2 large eggs, 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Add the baking powder, flour, and salt. Mix until it forms a soft uniform dough.4¼ cups all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- Chill for at least 30 minutes, but up to two days.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- 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.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- 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.
- Allow to cool completely and the chocolate to set back up before stacking in an airtight container for storage.
Jennifer
Wednesday 14th of February 2024
I made this recipe as is and rolled the balls of dough in sugar before baking. The cookies look adorable but are a bit sweet for my taste. I would not roll them in sugar next time and possibly use a bit less sugar as well.
Nikki
Sunday 12th of November 2023
Can I use Hershey kisses for the palm of the paw? Either kisses turned upside down, or perhaps sliced, as to use just the wider bottom of the kiss?
Carlee
Sunday 12th of November 2023
I haven't tried it, but I know people have used upside down kisses with good luck. So I would give it a try.
Melanie
Saturday 11th of November 2023
Does this recipe really call for 2 cups of butter? That sounds like too much. Should it be 2 sticks of butter instead?
Carlee
Sunday 12th of November 2023
2 cups is correct. The batch makes quite a few cookies and with over 4 cups of flour, you will need the butter to hold it together. You could certainly halve the recipe and use 2 sticks.