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These Polar Bear Paw Cookies are so adorable and couldn’t be any easier to make! Perfect for a cookie exchange, a cute Christmas cookie for the kids to help make, or even a bear-themed party.

I love super-easy, delicious recipes, especially for the holidays or a fun party. And these cookies sure fit that bill as do my strawberry cake mix cookies (a family tradition at Christmas), and candied cranberry walnut oatmeal cookies.

Polar Bear Paw Cookies on a wooden tray with a red cloth backdrop.

Baking cookies is one of my favorite holiday traditions, but sometimes you need something more out of the box ready and easy to make. This recipe can be both or a little mixture of each!

You can go all-in on picking up the items at the grocery store ready-made to make this or making them all homemade. A little of both works too!

Either way, you will be all set for your cookie exchange or party.

Super Easy: This recipe can be made from all simple, ready-made items you can pick up at your grocery store.
Easily Made Homemade Too: However, if you want to make your cookies and icing homemade, you can.
Kid Friendly: These are perfect for the kids to get involved. They are easy and so much fun to put together.

This year I am participating in a virtual cookie exchange with some of my blogging friends. It’s hosted by Michaela from An Affair from the Heart. Thanks for putting together this event. Y’all stop by and see all the delicious things she cooks up!

We were each secretly assigned another blogger in the group and tasked with making one of their signature holiday treats.

I found these super cute bear paw print cookies on my assigned site, Life Currents, and I just knew I had to make them! I love cute easy recipes!

Debi is the sweet talent behind Life Currents. Debi and I both believe home cooking is such a valuable thing and really brings families around the table. Which is such a treasure!

Debi has so many amazing recipes to choose from. For this round I was limited to holiday treats, so that helped me in my search.

I also wanted to make her peppermint crunch ice cream – wow that looks amazing! And her green chickpea enchiladas look scrumptious! But these Bear Paw Cookies will be perfect to share with my sweet granddaughter. She will love them, as will you!

Ingredients Notes

Ingredient image for polar bear cookies, including chocolate cookies, vanilla icing, coconut flakes, peppermint patties, and junior mints.

Cookie of Choice
White Icing
Peppermint Patties
Junior Mints
Shredded Coconut

How to Make Polar Bear Paw Cookies

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

You can use any flat cookie you would like. The flavor is totally up to you. You can also use a store-bought cookie to keep it really simple.

Keep in mind you are covering it with frosting, so the color of the cookie really does not matter.

I love using these Brownie Mix Cookies, making them with a medium cookie scoop.

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Step 2 | Icing / Frosting

Any white-colored frosting will work. You want the whole polar vibe so think white snow and white polar bear fur. Again you can buy a premade tub frosting in the baking aisle or go to your local bakery and you can usually purchase some there as well.

Buttercream, vanilla, or even cream cheese frosting works well.

Step 3 | Paw Print

There are several options for the paw print. For the large circle, I am using a peppermint patty. You could also use a plain Oreo or a chocolate-dipped Oreo even the mint ones would be delicious.

For the finger/toe, I am using a junior mint. You can use brown M&Ms, brown Recee’s pieces, or even chocolate-covered raisins.

Step 4 | Add Polar Bear White Fur (Coconut)

Next, sprinkle shredded coconut around the paw print and gently press it in so that it will stay in place.

Polar Bear Paw Cookies on a tray showing steps in putting cookies together.

Tips

Use a cookie big enough to hold your chosen candy toppings. My cookies were about 3 inches. I recommend 3 to 3 ½ inches.
Make sure to use plenty of icing so that the candy sticks and doesn’t fall off.
Evenly spread icing on the cookie and gently press the coconut into the icing. Take care not to cover the paw, but if you do, a small paint brush works well to dust it off.

Upclose image of Polar Bear Paw Cookies on a wooden tray with evergreen and red cloth tablescape.

Variations and Substitutions:

Substitutions for paws – Fudge Oreos, Regular or Mint flavored Oreos, and a Reese’s Cup.
Substitutions for toes – Brown M&M’s or Reese’s Pieces, Chocolate-covered raisins or cranberries, or Chocolate-covered peanuts.
If you have a smaller cooker size, you could use a chocolate melting wafer for the paw and chocolate chips for the toes.
You could also top your favorite cupcake for Polar Bear Paw Cupcakes.

Storage Instructions

Place in an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. If you use a room-temperature-safe cookie and icing, you can store it on the countertop.

These also make a great holiday party go-home gift. You could add a cute tiny spatula or an ornament to the bag. It’s also cute as is with some pretty ribbon or twine.

Individual gift wrapped polar bear paw cookie tied with red and tan twine.

More Delicious Cookies

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These Polar Bear Paw Cookies are so adorable and couldn't be any easier to make! Perfect for a cookie exchange, a cute Christmas cookie for the kids to help make, or even a bear-themed party.

Ingredients