2/3 c. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. unsifted flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt

Cream butter, sugar, vanilla in large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs. Blend well. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Chill dough until firm enough to handle.

To shape bears, for each cookie, form a portion of dough into a 1 1/2 inch ball for the body, a 1 inch ball for the head, 4 balls, 1/2 inch for arms and legs, 2 smaller balls for ears, a tiny ball for nose and 4 tiny ones for paws.

On ungreased cookie sheet flatten 1 inch ball slightly and the head ball by overlapping slightly on the body. Place balls for arms, legs and ears. Add tiny ball for nose and arrange other tiny balls on top of arms and legs for paws.

With a wooden toothpick, draw eyes and mouth, pinch a hole in top to put a string through to hang on Christmas tree. Bake at 350 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes.

Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet. Remove to wire rack to cool completely. Put in covered container until used. Let dry overnight before putting ribbon or string through the hole. Makes about 14 cookies.