Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Featured in: Simple Sweet Treats

These charming sugar cookies are crafted with a buttery dough and shaped to resemble polar bear paws. After baking, each cookie is coated with melted white chocolate, topped with a large marshmallow as the paw pad, and adorned with mini chocolate chips to create toe and side pads. Simple steps and common ingredients make this treat ideal for winter celebrations and children's parties. They provide a delightful blend of sweet flavors and playful design.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:46:00 GMT
Close up of freshly baked Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with melted chocolate and marshmallows. Save to Pinterest
Close up of freshly baked Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with melted chocolate and marshmallows. | amberkettle.com

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

I first served this...

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

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 3:
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
Step 4:
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Stir in milk.
Step 5:
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Flatten each slightly with your palm.
Step 6:
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. Cool on wire racks.
Step 7:
While cookies cool, melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second bursts, stirring until smooth.
Step 8:
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.
Step 9:
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.
Step 10:
Allow decorations to set at room temperature or refrigerate briefly to firm up.
Save to Pinterest
| amberkettle.com

Pair with hot chocolate or milk for a festive treat.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a touch of almond extract to the dough.

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.

Cute, homemade Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies arranged on a cooling rack, ready to be eaten. Save to Pinterest
Cute, homemade Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies arranged on a cooling rack, ready to be eaten. | amberkettle.com

These cookies bring joy and warm memories to every winter party.

Recipe FAQs

What type of flour is best for these cookies?

All-purpose flour works well for a tender, sturdy dough, but gluten-free flour can be used as a substitute for dietary needs.

How do I shape the paw prints on the cookies?

Use a large marshmallow for the central pad and arrange mini chocolate chips around it as toes and side pads to create the paw print effect.

Can I melt the white chocolate without a microwave?

Yes, melt white chocolate using a double boiler over gently simmering water, stirring until smooth.

What is the baking temperature and time?

Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.

Are there any allergen considerations to keep in mind?

These cookies contain wheat, dairy, egg, and soy in some chocolate products, so check ingredient labels carefully if allergies are a concern.

Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Sugar cookies shaped and decorated to mimic polar bear paws with white chocolate and marshmallows.

Prep duration
25 min
Time to cook
12 min
Total duration
37 min
Created by Molly Easton


Skill level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 24 Portions

Dietary details Meat-free

What You'll Need

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

Decoration

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

Directions

Step 01

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

Step 02

Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to blend.

Step 03

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

Step 04

Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and continue beating until smooth.

Step 05

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

Step 06

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

Step 07

Bake Cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden. Remove and cool completely on wire racks.

Step 08

Melt White Chocolate: Place white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Step 09

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

Step 10

Add Details: Place three mini chocolate chips above each marshmallow to create the toes, and attach two chocolate melts on each side for the side pads.

Step 11

Set Decorations: Let the decorations set at room temperature or refrigerate briefly to firm before serving.

Equipment needed

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

Allergy details

Be sure to look at every ingredient. If you have concerns, ask your healthcare provider.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy, egg, and soy (present in some chocolate products). Always verify ingredient labels for allergen content.

Nutrition Info (one portion)

Information shown is for general reference. Please speak to your doctor for nutrition advice.
  • Energy: 150
  • Lipids: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Proteins: 2 g