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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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