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Top 8 Free Gingerbread Bears

December 17, 2016 by Cara

Make a new tradition this holiday by making Top 8 Free Gingerbread Bears and not men. Why? Because they’re flippin’ adorable, that’s why. I just want to pinch their little bellies. In fact, they kind of look like little pregnant bellies, don’t they? Or is that just me because I’m on my THREE week countdown?! I see babies everywhere; it’s all getting so real that I’ve become the cliche: barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. 

I’m getting off subject though. Back to these cookies. If your little ones have food allergies then these cookies are perfect for your family. These Top 8 Free Gingerbread Bears are free from:

  • gluten 
  • eggs
  • dairy
  • corn 
  • soy
  • coconut
  • oil
  • xanthan gum

Make your holidays special for your little ones with food allergies with these Top 8 Free Gingerbread Bears.

All thanks to Enjoy Life Foods, these cookies are made with their all-purpose flour as well as their cute mini pre-made cookies and dairy free chocolate chips. These just might possibly be the most adorable treats that happen to safe for your kids. And I’m not biased either…

Here’s a quick and easy photo tutorial to show you how to assemble these cookie cuties. 

Make your holidays special for your little ones with food allergies with these Top 8 Free Gingerbread Bears.

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Top 8 Free Gingerbread Bears

  • Author: Fork & Beans
  • Prep Time: 2 hours 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 12 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hours 42 mins
  • Yield: Approx. 2 dozen
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Ingredients

Scale

For the cookies:

  • 1/4 c. aquafaba (the brine from a can of chickpea)* see notes below
  • 1/4 c. applesauce
  • 1/2 c. brown sugar
  • 1/2 c. unsulphered molasses
  • 1 tsp. orange zest
  • 2 1/2 c. Enjoy Life Foods All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 Tbsp. flaxseed meal
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 Tbsp. ground ginger
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cloves

For the Bears:

  • Enjoy Life Foods mini sugar cookies, for the bellies
  • Enjoy Life Foods mini chocolate cookies, for the face
  • Enjoy Life Foods mini chocolate chips, for the eyes and belly buttons
  • red hots (optional), for the nose

For the Sugar Glue:

  • 1/2 c. powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. water

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, beat the aquafaba with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for approximately 1 minute, or until it becomes frothy.
  2. Add the applesauce and brown sugar and mix.
  3. Add the molasses and orange zest until just combined.
  4. Throw the remainder of the cookie ingredients into the bowl and mix on low until well-combined.
  5. Cover and chill for 2+ hours.
  6. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Roll the dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper, lightly floured, until 1/4-1/8″ inch thickness. The thinner you roll them out, the crunchier the cookie and the less amount of time to bake. The dough is delicate so to prevent frustration of it getting stuck on the paper, don’t skip the light flouring of the bottom and top surfaces.
  8. Cut out bears with cookie cutters and place on the baking sheet. Freeze for 5 minutes while you repeat the process and place the cookies on another baking sheet.
  9. Remove the sheet from the freezer and bake for 12 minutes or until lightly browned along the edges. Place the next sheet in the freezer while you wait for the cookies to bake.
  10. Allow to cool for 5 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.
  11. Once cooled, mix the sugar glue together. It should be thick but able to squeeze out of a piping bag.
  12. Glue the mini cookies to the bear cookies.
  13. Place a large amount of sugar glue for the eye whites and place mini chocolate chips on top.
  14. Add the nose and belly buttons and allow to set.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @forkandbeans on Instagram and hashtag it #forkandbeans

Recipe Notes: 

  1. If you are allergic to chickpeas and cannot use aquafaba (the brine from a drained can of chickpeas), you can always use a flax egg in its place. Simply mix 1 Tbsp. of flaxseed meal + 4 Tbsp. of warm water and allow to thicken for a minute. Do note that this recipe was specifically made with aquafaba though.
  2. If you are using a different flour mix, do so at your own risk. It might change the outcome of your Gingerbread Bears. 

Make your holidays special for your little ones with food allergies with these Top 8 Free Gingerbread Bears. 

Make your holidays special for your little ones with food allergies with these Top 8 Free Gingerbread Bears.

This post has been sponsored by Enjoy Life Foods. All opinions and text are my own. 

Looking for more Holiday-Inspired cookies” Check these out:

Cinnamon Teddy Grahams

PB Chocolate Reindeer Cookies

GF/V Gingerbread Men

YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

  • Gluten-Free Vegan Gingerbread MenGluten-Free Vegan Gingerbread Men
  • Homemade Chocolate Teddy GrahamsHomemade Chocolate Teddy Grahams
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer CookiesChocolate Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
  • Mini Gingerbread HousesMini Gingerbread Houses

Filed Under: Christmas, Cookies/Bars, Desserts, Egg Free, Fresh Out of the Oven, Holiday, Kid-Friendly, Nut Free, Vegan

About Cara

Based in Chicago with her husband and son, Cara is the creator behind the site Fork and Beans: A place where kids can have fun with their food.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Casey the College Celiac

    December 17, 2016 at 8:47 pm

    SOOOO cute and I love how allergy friendly these are!

    • Cara

      December 19, 2016 at 6:58 am

      They are perfect safe treat, thanks to Enjoy Life <3 And thank YOU for the awesome comment 😉

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Welcome, I’m Cara! At Fork and Beans you will find creativity at every corner. From snack ideas, to holiday fun–even crafts and activities to do with your kids. If you are a parent (or just love fun food), you’ve come to the right spot! Come check out the latest idea I’ve made for my family and stay awhile, won’t you?

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