Viral Bears in a Blanket

These viral Bears in a Blanket pastries might be the cutest chocolate dessert I've ever seen! Each one has a little Teddy Graham tucked into a flaky, golden puff pastry blanket with melted Hershey's chocolate underneath. They're super easy to make with just a few ingredients, and they're perfect for holiday baking, parties, or a fun treat to make with the kids.

Why You'll Love These Teddy Bears in a Blanket

One of my favorite holiday traditions is getting together with my cousins at my aunt's house to make cookies. This year, I wanted to find something fun and a little different for us to make. When I came across this mega-viral Instagram video showing these adorable Bears in a Blanket pastries, I knew I found the perfect recipe. The little Teddy Grahams tucked into chocolate-filled pastry blankets were just too cute not to try!

For my version, I used Hershey's milk chocolate bars, Teddy Grahams, and frozen puff pastry. The chocolate melts underneath the bear while the pastry bakes into a golden, flaky blanket. I love how the little teddy bear heads peek out of the top, and the powdered sugar makes them look even cuter.

Another thing I love is how simple these are to put together. You don't need to make dough from scratch or use any special baking equipment. Just cut, fill, fold, and bake! They're a fun holiday baking project, especially with kids, since everyone can help tuck their little bears into their blankets.

Bears in a Blanket Ingredients

• 1 (17.3 oz) package frozen puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed
• 12 Teddy Graham cookies
• 6 full-size Hershey's milk chocolate bars (1.55 oz each), broken in half
• 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Ingredient Notes

• Puff pastry: I use one package of frozen puff pastry containing two sheets. Make sure the pastry is thawed enough to unfold without cracking but still cold when you're working with it. Keeping the dough cool helps it bake into flaky, golden layers.
• Teddy Grahams: You'll need 12 Teddy Graham cookies, one for each pastry. I like using the cinnamon flavored Teddy Grahams, but the important thing is choosing whole cookies with their little heads intact.
• Hershey's chocolate bars: I use six full-size, 1.55-ounce Hershey's milk chocolate bars. Break each one in half so you have 12 pieces. The chocolate melts inside the pastry as it bakes, creating a rich, gooey center.
• Egg: One beaten egg is all you need for the egg wash. It helps the pastry turn golden brown and gives the finished blankets a slightly glossy appearance.
• Powdered sugar: This is optional, but I love adding a light dusting after baking. It gives the pastries a pretty finish and a little extra sweetness.

How to Make Bears in a Blanket

Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with foil and lightly coat them with nonstick cooking spray. You can also use parchment paper.

Unfold the two thawed puff pastry sheets onto a lightly floured surface. Gently brush away any excess flour and cut each sheet into 6 equal rectangles, giving you 12 pieces total.

Step 2: Add the Chocolate

Place the pastry rectangles vertically on your prepared baking sheets, with the longer sides running from top to bottom. Lightly brush the edges with beaten egg.

Place half of a Hershey's chocolate bar toward the top of each rectangle, leaving a little pastry exposed around the edges so you can seal the blanket.

Step 3: Add the Teddy Grahams

Place one Teddy Graham on top of each piece of chocolate, with its head pointing toward the top of the pastry. Position the cookie so its face will remain visible when you fold the pastry over it.

Step 4: Tuck the Bears Into Their Blankets

Fold the bottom of each pastry rectangle upward over the chocolate and Teddy Graham, stopping just below the bear's head so it looks like it's tucked into bed. Gently press the sides together, then use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges and seal the pastry. Repeat with all 12 bears.

Step 5: Brush with Egg Wash and Bake

Lightly brush the exposed puff pastry with the remaining beaten egg, avoiding the Teddy Grahams and chocolate.

Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is fully puffed and golden brown. Start checking around 15 minutes since baking times can vary depending on the size of your pastries and your oven.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool for 5–10 minutes. The melted chocolate will be very hot immediately after baking. Dust lightly with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve while the pastry is still warm and flaky. Enjoy!

My Expert Tips for The Best Bears in a Blanket Pastry

• Keep the puff pastry cold. If the dough becomes too soft or sticky while you're assembling the bears, refrigerate it for 10–15 minutes. Cold pastry is easier to fold and produces better flaky layers.
• Don't cover the bears' faces. I recommend folding the pastry just below the Teddy Graham's neck. Puff pastry expands quite a bit in the oven, so leaving the head exposed helps keep that sleeping bear appearance.
• Leave room to seal the edges. Don't push the chocolate all the way to the sides of the pastry. You need enough exposed dough to crimp the edges with a fork and prevent the chocolate from leaking out.
• Be gentle when crimping. Press the fork firmly enough to seal the pastry, but don't press so hard that you cut through the dough. Keeping the sides sealed helps the chocolate stay inside.
• Give the pastries space to rise. Leave about 2 inches between each bear on the baking sheet. Puff pastry expands as it bakes, and crowding can prevent the edges from browning evenly.
• Let them cool slightly before serving. The chocolate filling gets very hot in the oven. I like letting the pastries rest for a few minutes so the chocolate is still melted but not dangerously hot.

Bears in a Blanket FAQ

What are Bears in a Blanket pastries?

Bears in a Blanket are small chocolate-filled pastries made with puff pastry, chocolate bars, and Teddy Graham cookies. Each cookie is placed on the chocolate, then partially covered with pastry to make it look like a teddy bear sleeping under a blanket. They're also called sleeping bear pastries or Teddy Graham puff pastries.

Can I use crescent roll dough instead of puff pastry?

There are versions of Bears in a Blanket made with crescent roll dough, but I recommend puff pastry for this recipe. It creates a light, flaky exterior that works really well with the melted chocolate. Crescent dough will give you a softer, more bread-like texture and may require a different baking time.

Do I need to thaw frozen puff pastry first?

Yes! Thaw the puff pastry according to the package directions until it's flexible enough to unfold without breaking. However, it should still feel cold to the touch. If the dough becomes too warm, refrigerate it briefly before assembling the pastries.

Can I use different chocolate?

Yes! Milk chocolate gives these pastries a classic Hershey's chocolate flavor, but dark or semisweet chocolate can also work if you prefer something less sweet. Just make sure the chocolate pieces fit inside the pastry with enough room to seal the edges.

Why did my puff pastry cover the Teddy Grahams?

Puff pastry expands as it bakes, so the blanket can sometimes rise over the bears' faces. To prevent this, make sure the cookie's head is clearly visible above the folded edge before baking. Avoid stretching the dough too high over the bear.

Can I prepare Bears in a Blanket ahead of time?

You can cut the puff pastry and portion the chocolate ahead of time to make assembly quicker. For the best results, I recommend assembling and baking the pastries shortly before serving so the puff pastry stays crisp and flaky.

How do I store and reheat leftover Bears in a Blanket?

Store completely cooled pastries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in a 325°F oven for about 5–8 minutes, or until warmed through and lightly crisp again. I recommend avoiding the microwave because it can make the puff pastry soft and chewy.

Can I make these for Christmas?

Absolutely! These little sleeping bear pastries would be perfect on a Christmas dessert tray or as a fun holiday baking activity with kids. You can finish them with a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy appearance.

More Holiday Desserts

• Ferrero Rocher Cookies
• Candied Cranberries
• No-Bake Biscoff Truffles
• Sweetened Condensed Milk Fudge
• Pecan Pie Lasagna