Nut-Hugging Bear Cookies

This is the most adorable cookies I've ever bake! They are made famous by this Japanese chef named  Maa Tamagosan . I did not use her cookie dough recipe,  only use her idea as a reference. This butter cookie dough I tried turns out very well as it retained its shape, no spreading nor out of shape :D Hahaha I've too much varieties of nuts in my pantry, as you can see my bear cookies are hugging so many different kinds of nuts! Not a fan of nuts? Use dried fruits if you like! ^0^

The bear cookie cutter I bought at Ailin Bakery. I like the bear's hand as it is long enough to wrap up the nuts. 

Cut-out bear cookies before baking

Ingredient (approx. 45 cookies)

• 120gm unsalted butter
• 80gm fine sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 34gm egg yolks 
• 1 tsp vanilla paste
• 240gm cake flour
• assorted nuts (almond, pecans, walnut, cashew, pistachio)

Method

1. Using a electric whisk, cream butter, salt and sugar until creamy and light.
2. Beat in yolks and vanilla until well combine.
3. Beat in flour briefly in 3 batches. Use hand to gather the dough together. Chill in fridge for 15-30 mins to firm up the dough if it is too soft.
4. Dust a work surface with flour, roll out dough and using a bear cookie cutter (2" in height) to cut out the shapes. Place cookie on a line baking sheet.
5. Place nut over the bear body and fold up the hands to hug the nuts. Use the end of a satay stick to print out the eyes and mouth.
6. Bake the cookies in preheated oven at 160 deg cel for 20 mins or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
7. Cool completely on wire rack before storing in air-tight container.