Meet Little Bears: The 4-Ingredient Treat That’s Almost Too Cute to Eat

If you’re looking for a new, delicious—and conveniently adorable—summertime dessert that you and your kids will love, look no further. This treat is a perfect example of how versatile puff pastry dough can be—it’s basically a blank canvas for all of your favorite ingredients.

Posted in a fun Instagram video from Chrissy Teigen, your next fixation snack is bound to be Little Bears. The dessert features a buttery, flaky crust covering melted chocolate and Teddy Graham crackers—think s'mores, but a bit more creative in terms of presentation.

What Are Little Bears? 

Little Bears, also called Sleeping Bears or Bears in a Blanket, are a sweet treat that is almost reminiscent of a chocolate croissant, but with the added bonus of a nostalgic childhood snack: Teddy Grahams. You’re essentially using puff pastry sheets to make a sleeping bag for the edible teddy bears, making this a fun treat for adults and kids alike. It's the perfect dessert to make if your kids enjoy helping out in the kitchen.

This recipe is ideal for any season, whether you're having an indoor movie night during the winter or chilling outside next to a warm summer campfire. The four ingredients include rectangular store-bought or homemade puff pastry dough sheets, chocolate bars (milk or dark chocolate, depending on your preference), eggs, and Teddy Grahams crackers.

You can opt for virtually any flavor of Teddy Grahams, as the honey, cinnamon, chocolate, and chocolate chip flavors will all be tasty here. Some commenters even recommend adding little marshmallows as pillows or a dab of marshmallow fluff in the filling.

How to Make Little Bears 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the sheet of puff pastry into small rectangles, then lay each piece on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Place four chocolate bar squares (approximately 4 ounces)  on each sheet near the upper portion of the pastry dough, leaving a one-inch gap at the top and along the sides.

Layer one or two Teddy Grahams beside each other on top of the chocolate. Make sure to let the head of the teddy bear hang off of the chocolate, while the body remains on the chocolate. Then, fold over the bottom portion of the puff pastry over the chocolate and teddy bear’s body, allowing the teddy bear's head to peek through. This will give you the sleeping bag effect when they rise in the oven!

Brush an egg wash (a beaten egg often mixed with a splash of water, milk, or cream) on the outer portions of the puff pastry dough until completely covered. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown. Let the Little Bears cool and munch away.