Crunchy Oreos cloaked in creamy white chocolate, topped with minty, chocolaty toes, and a sprinkle of sparkling sugar—sounds like a winter wonderland treat, right? That’s exactly what makes the Oreo Polar Bear Paws Cookies Recipe so fun and irresistible. They’re perfect for sharing or sneaking a few as you go along!

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 Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Oreo Polar Bear Paws Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Oreo Polar Bear Paws Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What really excites me about this Oreo Polar Bear Paws Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to transform a classic cookie into an adorable and festive treat that everyone loves. Every step feels like a little creative adventure, and the results? Simply delightful.

Simple yet impressive: These cookies look like they took forever, but they come together in just about 20 minutes.
Fun for all ages: Decorating the polar bear paws is a fantastic activity whether you’re baking with kids or friends.
Great flavor combo: The minty Junior Mints pair beautifully with the creamy white chocolate and classic Oreo crunch.
Perfect for holidays and parties: These cookies are a crowd-pleaser that can fit any festive occasion or even a cozy afternoon treat.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a key role in balancing flavor, texture, and the fun factor. I always recommend using good quality white chocolate melting wafers for an easy melt without graininess, and fresh Oreos for that iconic crunch. Here’s a quick rundown on why these ingredients shine together.

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 and hardens with a glossy finish—the perfect coating to transform Oreos into polar bear paws.
Oreos: The sturdy cookie base; their crisp texture holds up well when dipped and decorated.
Junior Mints: Their cool mint flavor adds freshness and forms the ‘paw pad’ in the design.
Mini brown M&Ms: Use these for the ‘toes’—their small size and chocolate shell add an extra bit of crunch and color contrast.
Sanding sugar: Sprinkled on top, it adds sparkle and a sweet, gently crunchy texture that finishes off the look.

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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 love that this Oreo Polar Bear Paws Cookies Recipe invites you to get creative. You can tweak the colors, swap out the mint candies, or even try dark chocolate if white isn’t your favorite—make it uniquely yours! I often switch up the candy toes for seasonal colors depending on the occasion.

Variation: Once, I used red and green mini M&Ms to create Christmas-themed paws; it added a festive touch and was a hit with the kids.
Dietary tweak: For a gluten-free twist, try gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies instead of Oreos.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Oreo Polar Bear Paws Cookies 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 lining a large sheet pan with parchment paper; this helps the cookies set without sticking. Add your white chocolate melting wafers to a microwave-safe bowl, then microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each. The secret here is patience—don’t rush, or you’ll risk burning the chocolate. Keep stirring until it’s completely smooth and glossy.

Step 2: Dip the Oreos

Use a fork to drop an Oreo into the melted white chocolate. Flip it around to coat evenly, then lift it out and gently shake off the excess. Scrape the bottom of the cookie on the edge of the bowl to remove drips—this will keep your parchment clean and the cookie shape neat.

Step 3: Decorate the paws

Place the dipped cookie on the parchment. Quickly press one Junior Mint at the bottom center—this is the ‘pad’ of the paw. Then arrange four mini brown M&Ms above for the toes. Don’t be shy with the sanding sugar! Sprinkle generously over everything for sparkle and crunch. Repeat with the rest, working in small batches so the chocolate doesn’t set too quickly.

Step 4: Let them set

Pop the whole sheet pan into the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes. This chill step helps the white chocolate harden evenly. Once set, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. I’ve found that freezing these cookies isn’t ideal because the M&Ms tend to lose their vibrant color upon thawing.

Top Tip

Through my baking experiments, I’ve learned a few tricks that take this Oreo Polar Bear Paws Cookies Recipe from good to great. They helped me avoid messy coatings and uneven chocolate coverage, so you’ll get picture-perfect paws every time.

Chocolate melting technique: Always microwave your white chocolate in short 30-second bursts with stirring—this keeps it smooth and prevents scorching.
Dipping control: Use a fork to gently maneuver the Oreos in chocolate and tap off excess on the bowl’s edge to avoid thick, lumpy coatings.
Decorate fast: Work quickly while the chocolate is still wet so the Junior Mints and M&Ms stick securely—if chocolate sets too fast, decorations won’t adhere well.
Freezing caution: Avoid freezing if you want to keep the M&Ms looking vibrant; instead, store cookies in an airtight container at room temp.

How to Serve Oreo Polar Bear Paws Cookies Recipe

Oreo Polar Bear Paws - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple so the design shines. A light dusting of extra sanding sugar adds just the right amount of sparkle. Sometimes I sprinkle a few edible glitter flakes on top for a special occasion—it really amps up the festive vibe without overpowering the treats.

Side Dishes

These cookies make a great pairing with a warm mug of hot chocolate or a cup of coffee for a cozy winter afternoon. If you’re serving these at a party, I love setting out a platter alongside peppermint bark or sugar cookies for a themed dessert table.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite presentation ideas is arranging the oreo paws on a platter lined with crushed peppermint candies or shredded coconut to mimic snow. Another fun approach is serving them individually wrapped in clear cellophane bags tied with a seasonal ribbon—perfect for gifting at holiday parties or school events.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, which keeps the white chocolate crisp and the Oreos fresh for about a week. Storing them away from heat or humidity is key to maintaining that perfect texture.

Freezing

I’ve tried freezing these cookies before, but the mini M&Ms tend to lose their vibrant color when thawed, which takes away a bit of the fun appearance. If you must freeze, wrap them well and understand the look might fade, but the flavor will still be delicious.

Reheating

Luckily, these cookies don’t require reheating. If you want the white chocolate to soften a bit, letting them sit at room temperature for a few minutes does the trick. Avoid microwaving, since that can melt the chocolate unevenly and make the cookies messy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use dark chocolate instead of white chocolate for these cookies?

Yes, you can substitute dark or milk chocolate melting wafers if you prefer a different flavor profile. Just make sure to use wafers designed for melting to get a smooth and glossy coating.

How long do Oreo Polar Bear Paws Cookies last?

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies can stay fresh for up to one week. Keeping them away from moisture and heat helps maintain their texture and flavor.

Can kids help decorate the Oreo Polar Bear Paws Cookies?

Absolutely! Decorating these cookies is a fun and manageable project for kids. Just supervise the handling of melted chocolate to keep things safe and encourage their creativity with candy placement.

What should I do if my white chocolate seizes during melting?

If your white chocolate seizes (becomes grainy or lumpy), try adding a small amount of vegetable oil or shortening and stir gently until smooth. Melting slowly and stirring often helps prevent this from happening.

Final Thoughts

This Oreo Polar Bear Paws Cookies Recipe is one of those delightful kitchen moments that always brings out a smile—whether you’re making them with kids or just treating yourself. I love how simple ingredients and straightforward steps transform into whimsical little works of edible art. Give this recipe a try, and I bet it’ll become a favorite in your holiday baking rotation, too!