Gingerbread Teddy Bear Cookies

Ingredients

 * 1 cup Butter or margarine
 * 2/3 cup Packed brown sugar
 * 2/3 cup Dark or light corn syrup
 * 4 cup All-purpose flour
 * 1 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
 * 1 tsp Ground ginger
 * 3/4 tsp Baking soda
 * 1/2 tsp Ground cloves
 * 1 each Beaten egg
 * 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
 * Miniature chocolate pieces
 * Royal icing for decorating

Directions
1 In a saucepan combine butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. 2 Cook and stir over medium heat until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. 3 Pour into a large mixing bowl and cool 5 minutes. 4 Meanwhile, combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, soda, and cloves. 5 Add egg and vanilla to butter mixture and mix well. 6 Add the flour mixture and beat until well mixed. 7 Divide the dough in half. 8 Cover and chill at least 2 hours or overnight. 9 To make each bear shape dough into one 1 inch ball, one ¾ inch ball, six ½ inch balls, and five ¼ inch balls. 10 On an ungreased cookie sheet flatten the 1 inch ball to ½ inch thickness for body. 11 Attach the ¾ inch ball for head and flatten to ½ inch. 12 Attach the ½ inch balls for arms, legs, and ears. 13 Arrange remaining ¼ inch balls atop ends of arms and legs for paws. 14 Use chocolate pieces for eyes and navel. 15 Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until done. 16 Carefully remove and cool. 17 If desired, pipe on bow ties with royal icing. 18 Makes 16