How to do it: Hand-roll peanut butter dough balls into bear body pieces, adding lollipop sticks before baking. Cut out colorful card-stock backdrops, punch a hole in each for the stick, and package in cellophane and ribbon.

Perfect for: Siblings, stocking stuffers for friends, the coach.

Instructions for packaging bear pops: CLICK HERE to download a template for the bear pop backdrop. Enlarge or reduce the pattern based on the size of your cookie. Trace the template onto heavyweight decorative paper. If you can't find heavyweight paper, adhere a piece of decorative paper to card-stock paper using self-adhesive spray. Cut out and fold on the fold lines. Punch a hole where indicated for the lollipop stick to go through. Place the lollipop sticdk through the hole and rest the cookie on the paper. Cover with a cellophane bag, gather around the stick, and tie with a ribbon.

Peanut Butter Bear Pops
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
42 six-inch-long round lollipop sticks
Miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
Peanut butter-flavored pieces

1. In a very large mixing bowl beat the peanut butter, butter, and shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, and baking soda. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until well combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour.

2. For each bear, shape dough into one 1 1/4-inch ball, one 3/4- to 1-inch ball, two 1/2-inch balls, and four 1-inch logs. (You will need about 2 tablespoons of dough for each bear.) On an ungreased cookie sheet, place the 1 1/4-inch ball for body. Attach the 3/4- to 1-inch ball for head. Carefully slide a lollipop stick into each bear through the bottom of the body and about halfway into the head. Place 1/2-inch balls atop head for the ears. Place logs next to body for legs and arms. Gently press 2 miniature chocolate pieces onto head for eyes and 1 piece onto body for button. Gently press a peanut butter-flavored piece onto head for nose. When shaping bears on cookie sheets, leave 2 inches between each bear and space for the lollipop sticks.

3. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the body of each bear is set and edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes. Carefully transfer bears to wire racks to cool completely.