Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Featured in: Everyday Treats

These sugar cookies are crafted to look like polar bear paw prints, featuring a soft, buttery base with a smooth white chocolate coating. Large marshmallows create the paw pads while mini chocolate chips form the toes and side pads. Easy to prepare and ideal for winter gatherings or children's parties, they combine simple, familiar ingredients with playful decoration. Baking takes about 12 minutes after mixing a dough with vanilla and milk, then decorating with melted chocolate and marshmallows for a charming, tasty treat.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 13:41:00 GMT
Warm, soft Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with marshmallow pads and chocolate chip toes await. Save to Pinterest
Warm, soft Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with marshmallow pads and chocolate chip toes await. | flourhollow.com

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

I first made these cookies for my kids' birthday party and they were an instant hit

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.
Perfectly iced Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, ready to eat, with white chocolate and chocolate accents. Save to Pinterest
Perfectly iced Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, ready to eat, with white chocolate and chocolate accents. | flourhollow.com

Making these cookies has become a fun family tradition each winter

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 and festive Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, ideal for winter holidays or children's parties. Save to Pinterest
Freshly baked and festive Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, ideal for winter holidays or children's parties. | flourhollow.com

These cookies are simple to make and bring smiles to everyone who tries them

Recipe FAQs

What ingredients give the cookies their soft texture?

The combination of unsalted butter, sugar, and a touch of milk contributes to the tender, soft texture of the cookies.

How is the paw print decoration created?

Large marshmallows form the central pad, mini chocolate chips represent the toes, and chocolate melts define the side pads, all applied over a melted white chocolate layer.

Can these cookies be made gluten-free?

Yes, substituting the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour works well to create gluten-free versions.

What is the recommended baking temperature and time?

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

Are these cookies suitable for vegetarian diets?

Yes, the cookies use vegetarian ingredients, though some chocolate components may contain soy; check labels if necessary.

Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Sugar cookies decorated as polar bear paws with white chocolate and marshmallows, great for parties and celebrations.

Prep Duration
25 mins
Cook Duration
12 mins
Overall Time
37 mins
Created by Megan Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Serves 24 Servings Count

Dietary Details Meat-Free

Ingredient List

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

Steps

Step 01

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Set oven temperature to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

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

Step 03

Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until creamy and fluffy. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract thoroughly.

Step 04

Integrate Dry Ingredients and Milk: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Fold in the milk gently.

Step 05

Form Cookie Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared pans, spacing approximately 2 inches apart. Lightly flatten each ball with your palm.

Step 06

Bake Cookies: Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges develop a light golden hue. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 07

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

Step 08

Apply Chocolate Base: Spread a thin, even layer of melted white chocolate atop each cooled cookie to create a base for decorations.

Step 09

Assemble Paw Decorations: Press one large marshmallow near the lower edge of each cookie. Arrange three mini chocolate chips above it to represent toes, and place two chocolate melts on each side of the marshmallow for paw pads.

Step 10

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

Equipment Needed

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

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient to spot potential allergens. Always confirm with your healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy, egg, and soy (possibly present in chocolate products). Verify ingredient labels for allergen information.

Nutrition Breakdown (per serving)

Nutrition details are for reference and can't substitute for professional advice.
  • Caloric Value: 150
  • Fat content: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Protein Amount: 2 g