Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Featured in: Simple Comfort Bakes

These charming sugar cookies feature a buttery base delicately baked to a golden edge, topped with melted white chocolate. Soft large marshmallows create the signature paw pads, with mini chocolate chips artfully arranged to resemble toes and side pads. Perfect for winter festivities or children's parties, the cookies offer a fun combination of smooth, sweet, and tender textures with easy preparation and gluten-free alternatives available.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:25:00 GMT
Frosted Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with melted white chocolate and dark chocolate chips, delicious. Pin it
Frosted Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies with melted white chocolate and dark chocolate chips, delicious. | emberthyme.com

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

I first made these for my kids' winter party and they absolutely loved how cute and tasty they were

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.
Warm-baked Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, decorated as fluffy paws and perfect for winter celebrations. Pin it
Warm-baked Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, decorated as fluffy paws and perfect for winter celebrations. | emberthyme.com

These cookies quickly became a family favorite during winter holidays especially enjoyed by the children

Notes

For extra flavor add a touch of almond extract to the dough and pair the cookies 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

Cute, festive close-up of finished Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, ready to be enjoyed as a dessert. Pin it
Cute, festive close-up of finished Polar Bear Paw Print Cookies, ready to be enjoyed as a dessert. | emberthyme.com

Enjoy making these paws-dorable cookies with family and friends this winter season

Recipe FAQs

What ingredients create the paw print decoration?

The decorations use melted white chocolate for a smooth base, large white marshmallows for the paw pads, and mini chocolate chips plus chocolate disks to form the toes and side pads.

Can the cookies be made gluten-free?

Yes, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour to accommodate gluten sensitivities while maintaining the texture.

How do I prevent the marshmallows from melting too much while baking?

Marshmallows are added only after the cookies have baked and cooled, pressing them onto the melted white chocolate which helps them stay intact.

Is there a vegan option for these cookies?

Swap regular marshmallows for vegan marshmallows and use dairy-free butter substitutes to make them vegan friendly.

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

Use a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 20-second intervals, stirring between bursts until smooth to avoid overheating.

How long do these cookies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they remain fresh for up to five days, with slight chilling to firm decorations if desired.

Polar Bear Paw Cookies

Sugar cookies decorated with white chocolate and marshmallows mimicking polar bear paw prints.

Time to Prep
25 mins
Time to Cook
12 mins
Overall Time
37 mins
By Ember Thyme Clara Henshaw


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Portions 24 Portion Size

Dietary Details Vegetarian-Friendly

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

How To Make

Step 01

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

Step 02

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

Step 03

Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Step 04

Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing until fully integrated.

Step 05

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Blend in the milk to achieve a uniform dough.

Step 06

Shape and Arrange Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten each ball with the palm of your hand.

Step 07

Bake Cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges show a light golden color. Remove from the oven and transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 08

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

Step 09

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

Step 10

Form Paw Toes and Pads: Arrange three mini chocolate chips above each marshmallow to mimic toes, and place two chocolate melts or disks on either side to represent side pads.

Step 11

Set Decorations: Allow the decorations to set at room temperature or refrigerate briefly to firm the chocolate and secure the components.

Equipment Needed

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

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient for allergens and talk to your healthcare provider if you’re unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), dairy, egg, and soy (present in some chocolate products). Verify all ingredient labels for allergens.

Nutrition Details (for each portion)

This nutritional info is just for reference—always consult your healthcare provider for specific advice.
  • Calorie Count: 150
  • Fats: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Proteins: 2 g