Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Featured in: Sweet Easy Treats

These charming sugar cookies bring a playful touch to any winter gathering with their paw print design. The dough combines classic ingredients — butter, sugar, vanilla, and flour — baked to light golden perfection. After cooling, each cookie is adorned with melted white chocolate and large marshmallows to mimic paw pads, accented by chocolate chips for the toes and side pads. Ideal for children’s parties or festive celebrations, they offer a fun, sweet treat that’s simple to prepare and sure to delight.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:13:00 GMT
Warm Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with chocolate paw pads—a delicious winter dessert idea. Save to Pinterest
Warm Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with chocolate paw pads—a delicious winter dessert idea. | recipesbies.com

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

This recipe is a favorite at our family gatherings, always bringing smiles and sweet memories.

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.
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| recipesbies.com

My kids love helping decorate these cookies and it turns into a fun family activity 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 adorable Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, perfect for kids' winter parties with marshmallows. Save to Pinterest
Freshly baked and adorable Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, perfect for kids' winter parties with marshmallows. | recipesbies.com

These cookies are a delightful treat that bring warmth and joy to any celebration.

Answers to Recipe Questions

What ingredients create the paw print design?

White chocolate, large white marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips are used to form the paw pads and toes on each cookie.

Can these cookies be made gluten-free?

Yes, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour to accommodate dietary needs without affecting taste.

How long should the cookies bake?

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden for a perfect texture.

What is the best way to melt the white chocolate?

Use short bursts in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds until smooth to prevent burning.

Are there alternatives to regular marshmallows?

Vegan marshmallows can be used as a substitute to fit vegan dietary preferences.

Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Delightful sugar cookies featuring white chocolate and marshmallows shaped like paw prints.

Prep duration
25 mins
Time to cook
12 mins
Overall time
37 mins
Published by Sophie Turner


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Serves 24 Serving size

Dietary Details No meat included

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

How to Make It

Step 01

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

Step 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

Step 03

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract until combined.

Step 04

Form Dough: Gradually blend dry ingredients into wet mixture until just incorporated. Stir in milk to form dough.

Step 05

Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with your palm.

Step 06

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

Step 07

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

Step 08

Apply Decoration Base: Brush a thin layer of melted white chocolate onto each cookie’s surface.

Step 09

Arrange Paw Print Decorations: Press one large marshmallow near the bottom edge of each cookie for the paw pad. Place three mini chocolate chips directly above to depict toes. Position two chocolate melts on each side of the marshmallow for side pads.

Step 10

Set Decorations: Allow the white chocolate decorations to set at room temperature or chill briefly until firm.

Equipment You'll Need

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

Allergy Details

Review all ingredients for allergens, and reach out to a healthcare pro if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy, egg, and soy (in some chocolate products). Check labels for allergens.

Nutrition info (by portion)

Nutrition info is for guidance. Please consult a medical expert if you need advice.
  • Total Calories: 150
  • Fat content: 6 g
  • Carbohydrate: 23 g
  • Protein content: 2 g