Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Featured in: Happy Bites

These sugar cookies are crafted to resemble polar bear paw prints, featuring a soft, buttery base decorated with melted white chocolate, marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips. The dough is simple to prepare with familiar ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, and vanilla, baked to a gentle golden finish. Decorating involves layering melted white chocolate, pressing marshmallows for paw pads, and adding chocolate chips and melts to create toe and side pads. Perfect for easy, festive treats that add charm to any winter or children's party.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:26:00 GMT
Fluffy Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with melted white chocolate and dark chocolate chips. Save
Fluffy Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with melted white chocolate and dark chocolate chips. | munchhug.com

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

I enjoyed making these cookies with my family during the holidays, watching the kids light up as they decorated their own polar bear paws.

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:
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:
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.
Cute and decorated Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, perfect for a winter or kids' party dessert. Save
Cute and decorated Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, perfect for a winter or kids' party dessert. | munchhug.com

These treats always bring the family together, making holiday baking extra special and memorable.

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.

Freshly baked Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, adorable sugar cookies ready for a festive treat. Save
Freshly baked Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, adorable sugar cookies ready for a festive treat. | munchhug.com

Enjoy these adorable cookies as a delightful addition to any winter celebration or childrens party.

Recipe Guide

What ingredients create the paw pad decoration?

White marshmallows are pressed onto a layer of melted white chocolate to form the central paw pad.

How are the toes of the paw formed?

Three mini chocolate chips are arranged above each marshmallow to simulate the toes.

Can I substitute the flour for dietary needs?

Yes, gluten-free flour can be used to make these cookies suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.

What is the best way to melt the white chocolate chips?

Microwave the white chocolate in short 20-second bursts, stirring between each to ensure smooth melting.

How long should the cookies be baked?

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden, then cool on wire racks before decorating.

Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Sweet sugar cookies shaped like polar bear paws, ideal for festive winter gatherings and kids.

Prep duration
25 min
Heat time
12 min
Complete duration
37 min
Created by Samantha Reed


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 24 Portions

Nutrition preferences 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

Method

Phase 01

Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Phase 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed.

Phase 03

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Phase 04

Incorporate Egg and Flavoring: Beat the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture until fully combined.

Phase 05

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Stir in milk for moisture.

Phase 06

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

Phase 07

Bake the Cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden color. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Phase 08

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

Phase 09

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

Phase 10

Add Paw Details: Place three mini chocolate chips above the marshmallow to resemble toes, and position two chocolate melts or disks on either side of the marshmallow to form side pads.

Phase 11

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

Tools needed

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

Allergy alerts

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if concerned.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy, egg, and soy (present in some chocolate products); verify ingredient labels for allergens.

Dietary info (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - please consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 150
  • Lipids: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Proteins: 2 g