Name: Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 20 ounces white chocolate melting wafers; 1 13.9-ounce package Oreos; 1 box Junior Mints; 100 mini brown M&Ms from 1 family size package of mini M&Ms; Sanding sugar, for garnish

There's something delightfully whimsical about treating Oreos like tiny, edible paws—and that's exactly what makes the Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe so much fun to make and share. It's a playful twist on a classic cookie that brings smiles and just the right amount of festive charm.

The image shows many round white cookies decorated to look like paw prints, each cookie has one large dark brown circle in the center with four smaller dark brown circles around it, all on a white sugar-coated surface that looks like frost. One cookie is cut in half, showing four thin dark brown cake layers separated by white cream layers inside. The cookies are placed closely together on a white marbled texture surface with one small white Christmas ornament with a snowflake design resting among them. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe is one of those treats that brings out the kid in me every time. The combination of creamy white chocolate and the playful “paw” design not only tastes amazing but also looks like it belongs at a winter party or family gathering. I love how simple it is but still so impressive.

Fun and Festive Presentation: These cookies look adorable and make a great conversation starter at any event.
Easy to Make: No fancy baking skills required—just melt, dip, decorate, and chill.
Flavor Combo: Classic Oreos covered in white chocolate with a touch of mint and chocolate candies balance sweetness beautifully.
Great for Gifting: Pack them up in a cute box—you've got a homemade winter treat everyone will appreciate.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe plays a role in creating not just taste but texture and that signature look. Buying quality white chocolate wafers and picking colorful but small candy pieces really helps elevate this treat.

Flat lay of a small pile of whole Oreo cookies with dark chocolate sandwich and white cream center, a few small clusters of glossy dark green Junior Mints, around a handful of shiny mini brown M&Ms, a small white ceramic bowl filled with sparkling white sanding sugar crystals, and a simple white ceramic bowl holding a smooth mound of creamy white melting wafers white chocolate, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

White Chocolate: Melts smoothly for dipping, giving a beautiful snowy coating reminiscent of polar bears.
Oreos: Provide a perfect sturdy base with that satisfying crunch and classic chocolate-cookie flavor.
Junior Mints: Small and minty, they form the ‘paw pad’ adding a fresh mint flavor balance.
Mini Brown M&Ms: The tiny size and warm brown color make ideal ‘toes’ on the polar bear paws.
Sanding Sugar: Adds just a touch of sparkle and texture, mimicking ice crystals on the paws.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to play around with the candy toppings depending on the season or what I have on hand. You can easily swap out the brown M&Ms for mini chocolate chips or even colored sprinkles for a fun twist. It’s all about making the Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe your own.

Variation: One year, I added crushed peppermint candies for extra crunch and festive flavor—such a hit at my holiday party!
Dietary Modification: Using dairy-free white chocolate can make this treat suitable for vegan friends.
Seasonal Change: Swap Junior Mints for red or green mini candies to match holiday colors during Christmas season.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe

On a wooden board placed on a white marbled surface with a red cloth partially under it, there are four small round treats. Each treat has a dark brown base, topped with a thick layer of white shredded coconut and creamy white frosting. On the frosting, dark chocolate candies are arranged in a paw print pattern, with one larger round chocolate in the center and five smaller round chocolates surrounding it like toes. The treats look soft and textured, with the chocolate pieces shiny and smooth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Melt the White Chocolate

Start by placing your white chocolate melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until the chocolate is fully melted and velvety smooth. This slow, careful melting prevents scorching, which is the biggest pitfall with white chocolate.

Step 2: Coat the Oreos

Using a fork, gently drop one Oreo at a time into the melted chocolate. Flip it to cover all sides, then lift it out carefully and shake off excess chocolate. I always scrape the back of the fork along the bowl’s edge a few times to avoid messy pools that can harden unevenly on parchment.

Step 3: Add the Paw Details

Place your dipped Oreo on parchment paper. Immediately press one Junior Mint near the bottom center — this is the polar bear’s paw pad. Then arrange four mini brown M&Ms above it for the toes. Generously sprinkle sanding sugar over the top for that frosty effect. I find working in batches of five helps keep the chocolate from setting before decorating.

Step 4: Set the Paws

Pop the decorated Oreos into the freezer for about 5 to 10 minutes to let the chocolate harden fully. Once set, they’re ready to enjoy or store. Trust me, the freezing step locks in the beautiful shape and keeps the toppings put.

Top Tip

Through trial and error, I learned these nuggets of wisdom make the Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe foolproof and stunning every time.

Patience with Melting: Avoid rushing the chocolate melting—low and slow keeps it silky and perfect for coating.
Use Parchment Paper: Always work on parchment to prevent sticking—wax paper just doesn’t cut it here.
Work in Batches: Decorating a few Oreos at a time ensures the chocolate stays wet enough for candy toppings to stick nicely.
Timing the Freeze: Don’t overfreeze or your M&Ms can lose color—5-10 minutes is just right.

How to Serve Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe

Oreo Polar Bear Paws - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually serve these on a simple white platter sprinkled with a little extra sanding sugar for sparkle, which really elevates their wintry vibe. Sometimes I add a few fresh mint leaves around, tying in the mint flavor from the Junior Mints.

Side Dishes

These paws are perfect alongside a hot cup of peppermint tea or a creamy hot chocolate. For parties, I love pairing them with other winter treats like gingerbread or cinnamon sugar cookies for a cozy dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist at a kids’ party, I once arranged the Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe on a platter styled as a “polar bear trail,” leading to a frosted cake. They’re also adorable stacked in a clear cellophane bag tied with a snowy-white ribbon as holiday party favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Storing these treats is straightforward—just pop them in an airtight container and they’ll stay fresh at room temp for up to a week. I usually keep mine out where everyone can easily grab one (or maybe three) over the next few days.

Freezing

I tried freezing a batch once, but the mini M&Ms lost their vibrant color after thawing, which was a bit disappointing. I recommend avoiding freezing if possible to keep them looking their best.

Reheating

Since these are cold-set treats, you don't really need to reheat them. If you want to take the chill off, letting them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes works great. This softens the white chocolate to its perfect texture without melting the decorations.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use any type of white chocolate for the Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe?

While you can try typical white chocolate bars, I highly recommend using melting wafers—they melt more smoothly and set nicely without becoming grainy. This ensures a clean, glossy coating on your Oreos.

What if I don't have Junior Mints for the paw pads?

If Junior Mints aren’t available, you can substitute small round green or white candies like peppermint Patties, or even mini marshmallows work in a pinch. The key is to get something similarly sized and contrasting to mimic the paw pad.

How long does it take to make the Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe?

From start to finish, it usually takes about 20 minutes to melt, dip, decorate, and chill the cookies. It’s a quick and fun project that comes together in no time.

Can these cookies be made in advance for holiday gatherings?

Absolutely! You can prepare them a day or two before your event. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Just avoid freezing as it can affect the candy colors and texture.

Final Thoughts

Making the Oreo Polar Bear Paws Recipe has become a little tradition for me whenever the holidays roll around—it’s like crafting a shared moment of joy with every dipped and decorated cookie. I love how easy it is to get creative with, and how much delight it brings just by looking at these snowy paws. Give this recipe a try, and I’m sure you’ll find yourself coming back to it year after year, just like I do.