Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

Fluffy Polar Bear Cookies Recipe: Fun Winter Treats

Sweet memories of arctic adventures shine through these whimsical polar bear cookies that capture delightful winter charm.

Soft white frosting creates adorable furry textures that children absolutely adore.

Playful baking becomes an exciting creative project perfect for weekend afternoons.

Sugar-coated polar bear shapes emerge from simple ingredients and clever decorating techniques.

Crafting these adorable treats means connecting with loved ones through delicious shared experiences.

Little hands help transform basic sugar cookies into cute arctic animal masterpieces.

Each bite brings a smile that celebrates imagination and culinary fun.

Let’s make magic happen in the kitchen with these irresistible polar bear cookies!

Polar Bear Cookie Variations:
  • Gluten-Free Bear Buddies: Replace regular flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring the same soft texture while making the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Polar Pals: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select dairy-free white chocolate chips to create a compassionate animal-friendly version.
  • Low-Sugar Arctic Friends: Swap granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the cookie's delightful flavor profile for health-conscious bakers.
  • Chocolate-Dipped Polar Cubs: Alternate white chocolate coating with dark chocolate or milk chocolate for a different flavor experience, keeping the adorable bear decoration intact.

Polar Bear Cookies That Look Adorable and Taste Even Better

  • Polar Bear Cookies Delight
  • Create charming polar bear cookies with minimal baking skills, perfect for beginners wanting to impress family and friends.
  • Engage children in a fun activity where they can personalize each cookie with marshmallow ears, candy eyes, and playful details.
  • Transform ordinary sugar cookies into cute polar bear characters that bring winter magic to holiday parties, school events, or cozy family gatherings.
  • Experiment with different decorations like sprinkles, colored icing, or themed accessories to make each polar bear cookie unique and memorable.

Ingredients to Make Polar Bear Cookies at Home

Basic Ingredients:
  • Butter, Sugar: Sweet base that creates a soft, rich cookie texture. Choose unsalted butter for better flavor control.
  • Egg, Vanilla Extract: Bind ingredients and add depth of flavor. Fresh eggs work best.
  • All-Purpose Flour, Baking Powder, Salt: Create cookie structure and help with rising. Use fresh baking powder for best results.
Coating and Decoration Ingredients:
  • White Chocolate Chips, Candy Melts: Provide smooth, sweet coating for polar bear look. Candy melts offer more stable melting.
  • Mini Marshmallows: Create adorable bear ears. Choose soft, fresh marshmallows.
  • Candy Eyes, Mini Chocolate Chips: Add cute facial features. Pearl candies work as alternative nose.
Optional Decoration Ingredients:
  • Sprinkles, Icing: Add extra festive details. Use white or winter-themed colors for polar bear theme. Edible glitter can add sparkle.

Step 1: Craft the Delectable Dough

Warm up your oven to 350F (175C) and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a spacious mixing bowl, whip butter and sugar until they transform into a cloud-like mixture. Splash in the egg and vanilla extract, blending until silky smooth. Grab another bowl and whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Gradually merge the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until perfectly combined.

Step 2: Sculpt and Bake Adorable Rounds

Scoop out tablespoon-sized dough portions and roll them into smooth spheres. Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Gently press down on each ball with your palm. Slide the sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges hint at a golden glow. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely.

Step 3: Melt the Polar Bear Coating

Transform white chocolate chips or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. Zap in 20-second bursts, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate becomes a smooth, glossy liquid.

Step 4: Transform Cookies into Cuddly Bears

Dunk each cookie into the melted white chocolate, ensuring a complete, luxurious coating. Rest the cookies on a parchment-lined surface. While the chocolate remains wet, attach:
  • Two mini marshmallows (for adorable ears)
  • Candy eyes
  • Mini chocolate chip or pearl (for a cute nose)

Add optional decorative touches like sprinkles or icing to create scarves or snowflakes.

Step 5: Set the Magical Decorations

Allow the cookies to rest at room temperature until the white chocolate hardens completely. For a speedier setting, pop the cookies in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.

Tips to Decorate Polar Bear Cookies Easily

  • Perfectly Melt Chocolate: Use short microwave bursts and stir frequently to prevent burning and achieve smooth, glossy coating.
  • Chill Cookie Sheets: Refrigerate baking sheets before placing cookie dough to maintain shape and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Create Consistent Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon for uniform size, ensuring even baking and professional-looking results.
  • Prevent Sticking: Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cookie removal and effortless cleanup.
  • Master Decoration Technique: Keep white chocolate slightly warm while decorating to ensure smooth coverage and easy attachment of marshmallow ears and candy details.

How to Keep These Cute Cookies Fresh

  • Store decorated Polar Bear Cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent the white chocolate from melting.
  • Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature. If needed, warm them gently in the microwave for 5-10 seconds, being careful not to melt the decorations.
  • The marshmallow ears and chocolate details might become slightly soft when stored, but the cookie's taste remains delicious.

Perfect Pairings for Polar Bear Treats

  • Polar Bear Cookie Pairings
  • Warm, creamy hot chocolate perfectly complements the sweet white chocolate polar bear cookies, creating a delightful winter-themed treat that melts in your mouth and warms your heart.
  • Smooth, chilled vanilla milkshake enhances the cookie's playful polar bear design, offering a cool contrast to the sweet white chocolate coating and adding a creamy, indulgent dimension.
  • Aromatic, slightly spicy cinnamon tea balances the cookie's sweetness, providing a sophisticated and comforting flavor experience that highlights the delicate white chocolate decoration.
  • Rich, nutty almond latte creates a sophisticated flavor profile that complements the cookie's white chocolate base, offering a subtle warmth and depth to the adorable polar bear treat.
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Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

Polar Bear Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Polar bear cookies bring winter whimsy to holiday dessert tables with adorable marshmallow and chocolate chip details. Crisp sugar cookie bases adorned with fluffy marshmallow frosting create delightful polar bear faces you’ll want to nibble and share.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar

Eggs and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Decoration Ingredients:

  • 2 cups white chocolate chips or candy melts
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Candy eyes
  • Mini chocolate chips or black edible pearls
  • Optional: Red or blue sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Craft the foundational cookie mixture by thoroughly blending softened butter and sugar until achieving a velvety, aerated texture. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture appears uniform and silky.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate vessel. Gradually fold the dry components into the wet ingredients, gently mixing until a cohesive dough forms.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Portion the dough into tablespoon-sized spheres, rolling each between your palms to create smooth, uniform balls.
  4. Arrange the dough balls on the prepared sheet, spacing them approximately two inches apart. Gently press down on each sphere with your palm to create a slight flattening effect.
  5. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges as an indication of doneness. Remove and allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
  6. Melt white chocolate chips using short microwave intervals, stirring between each heating cycle to ensure a smooth, glossy consistency.
  7. Immerse each cooled cookie into the melted white chocolate, ensuring total coverage. Carefully place on parchment paper to set.
  8. While the chocolate coating remains wet, strategically position two mini marshmallows at the cookie’s upper edge to simulate bear ears. Affix candy eyes and a mini chocolate chip or pearl to represent the nose.
  9. Optional embellishments like sprinkles or decorative icing can be added to enhance the polar bear’s character.
  10. Allow the cookies to rest at room temperature until the white chocolate coating hardens completely. For expedited setting, briefly refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.

Notes

  • Plan ahead by softening butter at room temperature for smooth, even mixing without lumps.
  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant white chocolate coating without changing consistency.
  • Ensure white chocolate melts gently to prevent seizing or burning by stirring frequently during microwave intervals.
  • Chill cookies quickly in refrigerator for faster decorating and firmer chocolate set, perfect for impatient bakers or last-minute party prep.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 160
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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