Arctic-Inspired Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

Get ready to embark on a delightful baking adventure with these charming Polar Bear Cookies! Perfect for the holiday season or any special occasion, these soft cream cheese cookies topped with fluffy buttercream are not only a treat for your taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. The magic lies in the combination of the creamy texture from the cream cheese and the sweet, cloud-like frosting that makes each polar bear cookie a work of art.

Crafted with love and creativity, these Polar Bear Cookies have a way of spreading joy and putting smiles on faces. Whether you’re making them with your little ones as a fun winter project or sharing them at a festive gathering, these adorable treats are sure to be a hit. The best part? You can customize each bear with its own unique expression, making them not just cookies, but edible pieces of art that bring happiness to all who indulge in them. Let’s dive into the world of Polar Bear Cookies and discover how these sweet treats can become a cherished tradition in your home.

Quick Benefits

• Soft and creamy texture from the cream cheese
• Sweet cloud-like buttercream frosting topping
• Flexibility to customize with dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan options
• Can be a fun and creative activity for kids

Why You’ll Love This Arctic-Inspired Polar Bear Cookies Recipe Recipe

• Adorable and Fun: These Polar Bear Cookies are absolutely adorable and perfect for the holiday season, making them a fun and festive treat for all ages.
• Soft and Creamy Texture: The combination of cream cheese in the cookies and fluffy buttercream frosting creates a soft and creamy texture that melts in your mouth.
• Versatile Recipe: This recipe is flexible and can be easily adapted for dietary restrictions such as dairy-free or gluten-free options, making it inclusive for various preferences.
• Holiday Tradition: Making these cookies can become a beloved holiday tradition, perfect for creating special memories with family and friends.
• Creative Decorating: Decorating these cookies allows for creativity to shine, whether using sprinkles, edible markers, or adding unique expressions, making each bear special.
• Perfect as Gifts: These cookies make sweet gifts, packaged in holiday tins with care, and are sure to bring joy to those who receive them.
• Memorable Moments with Kids: Involving kids in the baking and decorating process creates special memories, with little hands perfect for shaping and decorating these cute bears.
• Transformable Dough: The cream cheese dough can be used to create various shapes beyond polar bears, allowing for creativity and customization for different occasions.
• Conversation Starter: These cookies are a conversation starter at gatherings, sparking interest and sharing of cookie traditions, bringing people together and creating joy.
• Beautiful Display: Arranging these cookies on cake stands with festive decorations or setting up a decorating station elevates the presentation, making them a memorable part of any event.

Ingredients for Arctic-Inspired Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

• Heavy cream (1/4 cup/60g).
• Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons).
• Cornstarch (1 tablespoon).
• Fine salt (1/2 teaspoon).
• Large chocolate chips (30).
• Unsalted butter, room temp (3/4 cup/170g).
• All-purpose flour (3 cups/375g).
• Butter for frosting (1 cup/226g).
• Full-fat cream cheese, room temp (1/2 cup/113g).
• Granulated sugar (1 1/2 cups/300g).
• White sanding sugar (1 cup).
• Large egg, room temp (1).
• Black and pink/red sprinkles.
• Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon).
• Vanilla extract for frosting (1 tablespoon).
• Powdered sugar (3 1/2 cups/454g).

Pro Tips for Arctic-Inspired Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

Pro Tip 1: To ensure the perfect texture of these Polar Bear Cookies, make sure your cream cheese and butter are at the right temperature. Softened butter and cream cheese will blend smoothly, resulting in a creamy and soft cookie dough. Real vanilla extract adds a rich flavor, and the addition of cornstarch gives these cookies a melt-in-your-mouth texture that everyone will love.

Pro Tip 2: When decorating your Polar Bear Cookies, let your creativity shine! Use tiny fondant hearts for noses, edible markers for different expressions, or festive colored sprinkles for special occasions. Each bear can have its own unique personality, creating a fun and personalized touch to your cookie creations. Get the kids involved in decorating for a memorable and joyful baking experience.

Pro Tip 3: For gifting these adorable Polar Bear Cookies, pack them carefully in holiday tins lined with parchment paper to keep them fresh and intact. Consider including the recipe with your gift, as people always ask for it. These cookies make sweet and heartfelt gifts, especially for families with children who will delight in the sight of these edible works of art. Enjoy the process of creating these cookies and sharing the joy they bring with loved ones.

How to Make Arctic-Inspired Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Step 01

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, followed by egg and vanilla.

Step 2: Step 02

Mix together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt, then incorporate into wet ingredients.

Step 3: Step 03

Split the dough into portions, wrap them, and chill for 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Step 04

Roll out the dough to 1/3 inch thickness and cut out large circles for faces and small circles for ears.

Step 5: Step 05

Briefly chill shaped cookies, then bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes.

Step 6: Step 06

In a bowl, beat together butter, vanilla, and salt. Gradually add powdered sugar and cream until smooth.

Step 7: Step 07

Spread frosting on cookies, coat in sanding sugar, decorate with chocolate and sprinkles.

Storage Tips

Once the Polar Bear Cookies are baked and frosted, it is essential to store them properly to maintain their freshness. If you plan to consume them within a couple of days, you can store the cookies at room temperature in an airtight container. This will keep them soft and delicious. However, if you need the cookies to last longer, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator. The frosted cookies can last for almost a week in the fridge, ensuring they stay fresh and flavorful.

For longer-term storage or to plan ahead, you can freeze the unbaked cookie dough. Simply shape the dough into rounds and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the dough to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, you can place the frozen dough rounds on a baking sheet and bake them directly from the freezer. This convenient method allows you to have freshly baked polar bear cookies on hand whenever you desire, making holiday baking or gifting a breeze.

Ingredient Substitutions

For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, there are some easy ingredient substitutions you can make for these Polar Bear Cookies. If you need to make them dairy-free, you can swap the unsalted butter with a vegan butter alternative. Likewise, you can replace the full-fat cream cheese with a dairy-free cream cheese option. For a vegan-friendly frosting, you can use coconut cream instead of heavy cream in the frosting. When opting for a gluten-free version, ensure to use a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum to maintain the right texture of the cookies.

If you’re looking to add a twist to the decorations or adapt them for different occasions, there are plenty of creative options. Instead of white sanding sugar, you could use colored sprinkles to match a specific theme or holiday. Experiment with different shapes by using various cookie cutters for diverse designs like snowmen, reindeer, or penguins. Add seasonal flair by incorporating holiday-themed decorations like red and green sprinkles during Christmas. Personalize each cookie by using edible markers to draw unique expressions on the polar bear faces, making each one distinct.

Serving Suggestions

These Polar Bear Cookies are not only delicious but also a creative and fun treat for the holiday season. To make them even more festive, try decorating them with tiny fondant hearts for noses or using edible markers to draw different expressions on each bear. You can also add red and green sprinkles during Christmas to give them a more seasonal look. Let your creativity shine and give each bear its own unique personality for a whimsical touch that will delight both kids and adults alike.

For a special holiday gathering, create a charming display for these adorable Polar Bear Cookies. Arrange them on different height cake stands surrounded by fake snow or sparkly decorations to evoke a winter wonderland theme. Pair them with a pot of spiced cider or hot cocoa to complete the cozy setting. To make the experience even more memorable, set up a cookie decorating station for children where they can personalize their own frosted bears. These little extra touches will elevate your cookie presentation and make your gathering truly magical.

FAQs for Arctic-Inspired Polar Bear Cookies Recipe

Can I make these polar bear cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and freeze it for later use. Once baked and frosted, the cookies stay fresh for a couple of days at room temperature. If you need them to last longer, store them in an airtight container in the fridge where they will stay fresh for almost a week.

Can I modify this recipe to make dairy-free or gluten-free polar bear cookies?

Absolutely! You can make dairy-free cookies by using vegan butter and the frosting can be made with coconut cream. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum for the right texture. The recipe is quite flexible and still yields amazing results with these substitutions.

Any tips for decorating the polar bear cookies?

Let your creativity shine when decorating these cookies. You can use tiny fondant hearts for noses, edible markers for different expressions, or add seasonal touches like red and green sprinkles during Christmas. Make each bear unique by giving them their own personality through various decorations.

How should I store and gift these polar bear cookies?

To store the cookies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days or in the fridge for longer freshness. When gifting, pack them carefully in holiday tins lined with parchment paper. Consider including the recipe as people always ask for it, making the gift even more special and personal.

Conclusion

As you embark on your own Polar Bear Cookies baking adventure, remember to enjoy the process and have fun adding your own creative flair to each adorable bear. Whether you’re making them for a festive gathering, as a sweet gift for loved ones, or simply as a delightful treat for yourself, these cookies are sure to bring smiles and warmth to all who indulge in their charm.

So, gather your ingredients, roll out that cream cheese dough, and let your imagination run wild as you decorate these lovable Polar Bear Cookies. As they bake to perfection and your kitchen fills with the sweet aroma of vanilla, know that you’re not just creating cookies – you’re crafting edible art that holds the power to spark joy and create lasting memories. Let the magic of Polar Bear Cookies brighten your holiday season and bring a touch of sweetness to every heart they encounter.