Gingerbread Teddy Bear Cookies

Description
Makes 16 cookies

Ingredients

 * 1 cup butter or margarine
 * ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
 * ⅔ cup dark or light corn syrup
 * 4 cup all-purpose flour
 * 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
 * 1 tsp ground ginger
 * ¾ tsp baking soda
 * ½ tsp ground cloves
 * 1 each beaten egg
 * 1½ 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°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until done.
 * 16) Carefully remove and cool.
 * 17) If desired, pipe on bow ties with Royal Icing.