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    Home » Recipes » Brownies/ Blondies/Cookie Bars

    Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears

    By Wendy Sondov · Published: Feb 2, 2020 · Modified: Sep 24, 2020 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears communicate how "beary" much you care about the "beary" special people in your life. These dense, fudgy brownies, baked in a cupcake pan, are topped with an adorable chocolate bear.

    Chocolate brownie cupcakes decorated like bears.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    Though technically a Valentine's care package complete with hearts and red wrapping, Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears helped me share a "Thank you 'beary' much for your service" themed care package.

    A message of thanks and Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears are welcome year round.

    A close up of chocolate brownie cupcake decorated like a bear.


    Ethically sourced cocoa, melting chocolate, and candy decorations make Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears a chocolaty treat you can feel good about sharing. I have been delighted to discover that finding ethically sourced ingredients is easy and doesn't have to be expensive.

    My favorite Fair Trade baking cocoa, semi-sweet chips, and white chocolate chips (I have tried several brands) are all Whole Foods' 365 brand. The candy brand, Unreal, is also available at Whole Foods.

    The ingredients in Unreal candy is all Fair Trade, and uses all-natural colors and less sugar than other brands. They make the candy coated chocolate that I used for ears on the Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears.

    Collage of images of fair trade chocolates.


    I was able to fill this care package with plenty of ethically sourced chocolate candy as well, at the same price (or lower) as buying the "biggie" national brands.

    Aldi's supermarket carries a brand of regular and holiday chocolates, Moser Roth, marked with the UTZ symbol, the European equivalent of Fair Trade. The foil wrapped bears, chocolate coated marzipan logs, and truffles are all UTZ!

    Care package decorated with a bear holding a garland of hearts.

    Valentine's Day care package

    A bear themed care package needs a bear on the box. I enlarged and cut out a free bear printable found online.

    The bear holds a garland of hearts that I attached to the box flaps after the contents were packed. The individual hearts are connected with twisty ties for flexibility.

    Collage of images of care package contents: candy, stuffed bear, chocolates.

    Care package contents

    This "Thank You Beary Much" care package contains a combination of red wrapped and bear themed items including:

    • a stuffed bear
    • Krispie treats
    • chocolate bears
    • candy
    • puzzle books
    • cheese crackers
    Brownie bears cupcakes on a white plate, surrounded by heart sprinkles.

    Instructions

    Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears are made in a cupcake pan. Using cupcake papers makes it easy to remove the brownies from the pan and helps keep the brownies fresh longer.

    The brownies (without the bear on top) are desert safe, and are a great way to send chocolate when the weather is hot.

    1. Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and espresso powder. 
    2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the shortening, sugar, and eggs until light in color.
    3. Add in the flour mixture, until combined.
    4. Stir in the  chocolate chips.
    5. Scoop the batter into a lined cupcake pan, using a spatula or spoon to flatten and smooth the surface of each brownie.
    6. Bake for 15-18 minutes. 
    Closeup of brownie bear cupcakes.

    Decorating Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears

    Once the brownies are completely cool, they can easily be transformed into bears using just a few decorating items placed on top of the chocolate face.

    1. Melt ½ cup of melting chocolate discs mixed with ½ cup of white chocolate discs .
    2. Spread about 2 teaspoons of melted chocolate on top of the brownie.
    3. While the chocolate is still melted, add a disc of chocolate for the snout, two candy eyes go above the snout, and two candy coated chocolates are added for ears.
    4. Use a toothpick to dot a tiny bit of melted chocolate on top of the snout as glue for the heart sprinkle nose.
    Close up of a brownie bear cupcake.
    Honey Graham Bears cookies each holding a garland of hearts sprinkles.

    Honey Graham Bears are a new cookie recipe included in this box full of bears. These crunchy, little, honey flavored bears are as tasty as they are adorable!

    With garlands of heart sprinkles between their outstretched paws, Honey Graham Bears send a message to those you bake for, on Valentine’s Day or any other day, that you love them "beary" much!

    More Valentine's Day recipes

    Sugar Cookie Roses
    Sugar Cookie Valentine Brownies
    Kiss Cookies
    Rose Bud Butter Cookies

    Ready to bake? Join the free membership group to get new recipes and a newsletter delivered to your inbox! You can also stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. I’d love to stay in touch!

    Chocolate brownie cupcakes decorated like bears

    Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears

    These dense, fudgy brownies, baked in a cupcake pan, are topped with an adorable chocolate bear.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 20
    Calories: 334kcal
    Author: Wendy Sondov
    Adapted From: verybestbaking.com

    Ingredients

    Brownies

    • 1 ½ all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup baking cocoa
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon espresso powder
    • ⅔ cup butter-flavored vegetable shortening
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 4 large eggs
    • 2 cups mini chocolate chips

    Decorating

    • ½ cup dark melting chocolate
    • ½ cup white melting chocolate
    • 20 dark brown chocolate discs
    • 20 pairs of candy eyes
    • 20 mini heart sprinkles
    • 40 brown candy coated chocolate candies

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Prepare 2 12-cup cupcake pans with cupcake papers.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and espresso powder. Set aside.
    • In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the shortening, sugar, and eggs. Beat until light in color and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
    • Gradually add in the flour mixture, until combined.
    • Stir in the mini chocolate chips.
    • Use a large (¼ cup) scoop to portion the batter into the prepared pan (it will be thick), using a spatula or spoon to flatten and smooth the surface of each brownie.
    • Bake for 15-18 minutes. The toothpick test doesn’t work very well because of all of the melting chocolate chips. If the top is firm after 15 minutes, take it out. (Mine baked for 18 minutes). Cool completely in the pan.
    • When ready to decorate, melt the ½ cup of dark chocolate with the ½ cup of white chocolate. Stir until the color is uniform.
    • Decorate one brownie at a time. Spread about 2 teaspoons of melted chocolate into a circle on top of a brownie. Immediately, add the chocolate disc snout, the candy eyes, and the candy coated chocolate ears. Use a toothpick to dot a tiny bit of melted chocolate on top of the snout as glue for the heart sprinkle nose.
    • Store brownies at room temperature in an airtight container or zip lock bag for up to 2 weeks.

    Notes

    Packing Tips
    Wrap each Brownie Bear in plastic wrap before storing in a freezer weight ziplock bag or an airtight plastic storage container.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 95IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheMondayBox or tag #themondaybox!

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    Comments

    1. Beverly

      February 25, 2017 at 7:12 pm

      Oh, these cupcakes are so adorable. What a nice care package. The Honey Graham Bears are adorable too.
      Thanks for sharing at Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. Hope you come back next week so I can stop by again.
      Bev

      Reply
    2. Agness of Run Agness Run

      February 24, 2017 at 2:43 pm

      These beary chocolate brownies look so adorable! My nephews will adore them, must try this!

      Reply
    3. Monica

      February 24, 2017 at 7:11 am

      I can't resist a brownie and certainly not a brownie that is this cute! Great choice for Valentine's Day and a great care package. I also wish safe travels home for your soldier. I'm sure he enjoyed your thoughtful packages.

      Reply
    4. April J Harris

      February 24, 2017 at 2:30 am

      Wendy, I think it is wonderful what you do for the troops - what a lovely taste of home you send them! Your Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears are so cute and they look so tasty too. I'd love for you to share them at the Hearth and Soul Link Party this week if you have time. Pinning these!

      Reply
    5. Miz Helen

      February 21, 2017 at 4:40 pm

      I just pinned your awesome Beary Chocolate Brownie Bears, we will just love these precicous cupcakes! Thanks so much for sharing it with Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back to see us real soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    6. Carlee

      February 18, 2017 at 10:04 pm

      These are just too cute! I am sure they were very appreciated too. You are always so creative!

      Reply
      • The Monday Box

        February 18, 2017 at 11:25 pm

        Thanks, Carlee! Everyone loves brownies and this recipe stays fudgy for a long time. Hopefully, the soldiers will both smile and enjoy! 🙂

        Reply

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    I'm Wendy, a baker, care package maker, and smile creator. On The Monday Box you’ll find care package inspiration and recipes for delicious treats that make it easy for you to share home baked love. Let’s spread happiness, one cookie at a time!

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