These Polar Bear Paws are the perfect sweet and salty treat, filled with roasted nuts and caramel, then coated in silky white chocolate. Perfect for the holidays!
For as long as I can remember, my sister always got my Dad a big box of See’s candy for his birthday. Although I think in recent years it’s been replaced with jams and jellies. Then again, I’m old and my memory isn’t what it used to be, so it’s possible I’m thinking of a different family altogether. Lol.
Have you ever had Polar Bear Paws? They’re traditionally made by See’s with peanuts, but due to family allergies, we can’t do that. Cashews are a perfectly acceptable substitution, however. When I handed them out at school, nobody even questioned it. They were too busy drowning in the bliss that is caramel and white chocolate!
Polar Bear Paws Recipe
Ingredients you’ll need:
- Caramel Bits (or caramel squares, unwrapped)
- Heavy cream
- Unsalted butter
- Cashew halves (or peanuts)
- Vanilla almond bark (or candy melts)
Recipe Tips
- The caramel softens to room temperature pretty easily, so I recommend taking only a few out of the refrigerator at a time when dipping them in the chocolate, otherwise they can get gooey and not hold their shape.
- You can use white chocolate chips (as seen in the video) instead of CandiQuik, BUT having made these so many times now, I actually don’t recommend them. Since they are manufactured with additives to hold their shape, so they don’t melt as easily and also once hardened, the bark tends to soften up at room temperature.
Proper Storage
Polar Bear Paws will keep for around 10 days in a tightly sealed container, stored in a cool, dry place or the refrigerator. But make sure they’re room temperature before serving or someone could lose a tooth!
Polar Bear Paws Video
I know See’s stores aren’t available everywhere, so now you can make your own…and for cheaper. Homemade gifts are always the best, anyway!
Other Candy Recipes
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Polar Bear Paws (See’s Candies Copycat)
Ingredients
- 11 ounce bag Kraft Caramel Bits
- 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup roasted cashew halves (or peanuts)
- 12 ounces CandiQuik vanilla almond bark or white melting wafers
Instructions
- Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place caramels, cream, and butter in a microwave safe bowl; microwave in 30 second increments, stirring, and repeating until smooth.
- Mix in the cashews and then let it sit in the bowl to cool for about 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
- Spoon onto the parchment in tablespoon size mounds. Place in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes until set.
- Place vanilla almond bark and melt according to package directions, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Dip caramel cluster in the chocolate and use a fork to remove it. Holding it over the bowl, tap the fork on the edge to let any excess chocolate drip back down. Place clusters back on the parchment lined pan and repeat with remaining clusters.
- Put the pan back in the fridge for 30-60 minutes until chocolate is set. Remove and enjoy or package up for a gift!
Video
Notes
- The caramel softens to room temperature pretty easily, so I recommend taking only a few out of the refrigerator at a time when dipping them in the chocolate, otherwise they can get gooey and not hold their shape.
- You can use white chocolate chips instead of CandiQuik (as seen in the video), but I actually don’t recommend them. Since they are manufactured with additives to hold their shape, so they don’t melt as easily and also once hardened, the bark tends to soften up at room temperature.
- Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, for up to 10 days. If you do refrigerate them, let them come to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
Other Notes
Had fun making these with the kids!
I was wanting to know if using wax paper instead of parchment would work? If not would maybe foil do?
These are absolutely delicious; however, I find them a bit time-consuming to make – you need to keep returning the caramel clusters to the fridge to keep them semi-solid for ease in dipping in the chocolate. A great Christmas gift!
Love these,need to work on my execution,some difficulty with caramels and candy melts,seems you have to be quick or it starts to thicken
These are awesome. Great recipe, thank you!
Im having a hard time finding the Kraft caramel bits. Can the Kraft caramel squares…used to make caramel apples….be used? If so, how many would be equivalent to the bits.
Thanks!!
Yep, those are basically the same thing, but a little more work because you need to unwrap each one. Just use 11 ounces worth.
Love these! I made them with regular chocolate and called them Grizzly Bear Paws. Super fun and delicious treat.
Would these taste good with milk chocolate instead of white chocolate?
I think you would call it a brown bear instead of a polar bear.
Do they have to be stored in the fridge??? Thanks so much for the post!!
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, for up to 5 days. If you do refrigerate them, let them come to room temperature before serving.
Do you use salted or unsalted cashew halves?
You can use either – they’re both delish. Depends how salty/sweet you want them to be.
Outstanding, delicious candy. I will be making this on a regular basis. Thanks so much for the recipe.
I made some of these with almonds and some with peanuts and they came out amazing! I’m going to make them for Christmas gifts this year!
Did a test run of these for Thanksgiving – big hit! Will make them again.