Cute Ube Snickerdoodles Recipe (with Video)

For the ube cookie dough
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, cinnamon, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
2. In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment (can alternatively use hand mixer or whisk), cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Scrape bottom of bowl.
3. Add ube extract + ube halaya and mix until smooth. Add more ube extract until you get the shade of purple you desire.
4. Dump in all of the dry ingredients and mix until combined. If the dough is crumbly, slowly add 2-4 tbsp of milk until it comes together. The finished dough should be thick but scoopable.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C and line two baking trays with parchment paper or silicone mats.
6. In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon for rolling the dough.
7. Use small cookie dough scoop to gather dough (about 1 ½ tablespoon each) and shape into a ball. Roll dough into cinnamon sugar mixture, then place onto lined baking tray. This will be the bear's head. For the ears, take ½ tsp of dough, shape into a ball, then roll into cinnamon sugar mixture. Place the ear on the upper left or right side of the head and repeat for the other ear.
8. Place bear ube cookies about 3-4 inches apart. They will not spread much while baking.
9. Bake for 9-11 minutes. Cookies should look puffy, soft, and retain their purple color. They should not be browned.
10. Let cool on pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. Let cool completely.
For the faces
1. You can use a piping bag, toothpick, or cookie scribe to add on the details. I used a piping bag for the arrow and snouts, eyes, and noses, then a scribe for the blush.
2. Use white chocolate for the snouts and ears.
3. Use melted milk chocolate to create the eyes and noses.
4. Add oil-based red or pink food coloring to the remaining melted white chocolate. If you don't have oil-based food coloring, then the chocolate will seize/become lumpy.
5. To counter this, stir in a tsp of neutral oil (canola, vegetable) at a time, until it becomes smooth again.
6. Use this for the blush.
7. Enjoy!