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Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Featured in: Baking & Sweet Treats

These charming sugar cookies resemble polar bear paw prints, crafted with soft buttery dough and decorated using melted white chocolate, marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips. Easy to prepare and bake, they add a fun and festive touch to children's parties and winter celebrations. The dough combines all-purpose flour, butter, sugar, vanilla, and a hint of milk for a tender bite. Decorations are applied after baking for a playful, detailed look that mimics paw pads and toes. Perfect as a sweet treat to brighten any occasion.

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Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:07:00 GMT
Close-up of adorable Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with melted white chocolate and marshmallow paws. Save
Close-up of adorable Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with melted white chocolate and marshmallow paws. | bakozy.com

Adorable sugar cookies decorated to resemble polar bear paw prints—perfect for childrens parties and winter celebrations.

I have fond memories making these with my kids during the holidays, creating both sweet cookies and fun family moments.

Ingredients

  • For the Cookies: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon milk
  • For the Decoration: 1 cup white chocolate chips (for melting) 24 large white marshmallows 72 mini chocolate chips 48 chocolate melts or chocolate disks (for paw pads)

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour baking powder and salt.
Cream Butter And Sugar:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
Combine Ingredients:
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients mixing just until combined. Stir in milk.
Shape Cookies:
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto prepared baking sheets spacing about 2 inches apart. Flatten each slightly with your palm.
Bake:
Bake for 10 12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Cool on wire racks.
Melt Chocolate:
While cookies cool melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second bursts stirring until smooth.
Decorate Cookies:
Spread a thin layer of melted white chocolate on each cookie. Press a large marshmallow near the bottom edge of each cookie for the paw pad.
Add Details:
Add three mini chocolate chips above each marshmallow to form the toes. Place two chocolate melts/disks on each side of the marshmallow for the side pads.
Set Decorations:
Allow decorations to set at room temperature or refrigerate briefly to firm up.
Freshly baked Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with chocolate chips: a fun winter dessert recipe. Save
Freshly baked Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with chocolate chips: a fun winter dessert recipe. | bakozy.com

These cookies always bring smiles in my family, especially when the little ones help decorate the paw prints.

Notes

For extra flavor add a touch of almond extract to the dough. Pair with hot chocolate or milk for a festive treat.

Required Tools

Electric mixer Mixing bowls Baking sheets Parchment paper Measuring cups and spoons Microwave-safe bowl

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten) dairy egg and soy (in some chocolate products). Always check ingredient labels for potential allergens.

Festive Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, perfect for holiday gatherings and served alongside warm drinks. Save
Festive Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, perfect for holiday gatherings and served alongside warm drinks. | bakozy.com

Enjoy crafting these adorable treats that are sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

Recipe FAQ

→ What is the best way to shape the cookies?

Form tablespoon-sized balls of dough and flatten slightly with your palm to create a smooth, even base before baking.

→ How do I decorate the paw prints accurately?

Spread melted white chocolate on cooled cookies, press a marshmallow for the paw pad, and arrange mini chocolate chips and chocolate disks as toes and side pads.

→ Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to suit dietary needs.

→ How long should the cookies be baked?

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden.

→ What alternatives exist for the marshmallow decorations?

You can use vegan marshmallows or other soft candy to maintain similar texture and appearance.

Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Sugar cookies decorated to look like polar bear paw prints, ideal for festive gatherings and kids.

Prep duration
25 min
Heat time
12 min
Complete duration
37 min
Created by Natalie Harris


Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 24 Portions

Nutrition specifications Meat-free

Components

For the Cookies

01 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 1 large egg
07 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 1 tablespoon milk

For the Decoration

01 1 cup white chocolate chips
02 24 large white marshmallows
03 72 mini chocolate chips
04 48 chocolate melts or chocolate disks

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare the oven and baking sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Combine dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

Phase 03

Cream butter and sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until incorporated.

Phase 04

Incorporate dry ingredients and milk: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring until just combined. Mix in milk.

Phase 05

Shape and space dough: Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing approximately 2 inches apart. Flatten each dough ball slightly with your palm.

Phase 06

Bake cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Phase 07

Melt white chocolate: Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl using 20-second intervals, stirring between bursts until smooth.

Phase 08

Decorate cookies: Spread a thin layer of melted white chocolate on each cooled cookie. Press one large marshmallow near the bottom edge to represent the paw pad.

Phase 09

Add paw print details: Place three mini chocolate chips above each marshmallow to create toes, and position two chocolate melts or disks on either side for side pads.

Phase 10

Set decorations: Allow the decorations to set at room temperature or refrigerate briefly until firm.

Tools needed

  • Electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Microwave-safe bowl
  • Wire rack

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and if uncertain, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy, egg, and may contain soy.

Nutrient breakdown (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 150
  • Fats: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Proteins: 2 g