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.
Purchase or bake (if desired) your favorite flat round shaped cookie. If baking make sure cookies are completely cooled.
Make homemade icing according to instructions or use icing from bakery or tub.
Using a offset spatula or knife, generously ice each cookie. Make the frosting as even as possible over the top of the cookie and thick enough to hold decorations in place.
Place a peppermint patty or oreo near the bottom center edge of the cookie. This will form the pad of the bear paw.
Even space and place 4 Junior Mints, M&Ms or Reese's Pieces in an arc shape around the pad of the bear paw to form the toes. Repeat until all cookies are complete.
Sprinkle on shredded coconut into the icing of each cookie to make the fur. Cover the top of the cookie, but do not cover up the peppermint patties or the M&Ms. Gently use your fingers to lightly press the coconut into the icing around the paw print, until the cookies look like furry Polar Bear Paws.
Notes
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 to not cover the paw, but if you do a small paint brush works well to dust it off.
Substitutions for candy toppings:
Substitutions for paws - Fudge Oreos, Regular or Mint flavored Oreos, a thin 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.