Polar Bear Paws (See’s Candies Copycat)
These Polar Bear Paws combine sweet and salty caramel, crunchy peanuts, and creamy white chocolate for a festive homemade candy treat.
Polar Bear Paws Candy
Made famous by See’s Candies, and now made in your very own kitchen! Polar Bear Paws are a delicious mix of buttery caramel, peanuts, and sweet white chocolate that’s sure to have everyone begging for seconds!
If your family loves See’s Candies as much as ours does, these homemade Polar Bear Paws are going to feel extra special. For years, stopping at the See’s counter was such a treat for us — carefully choosing samples, debating favorites, and savoring every bite. Those memories inspired this recipe, which is lovingly crafted as an homage to one of our all-time favorite candy shops.
Polar Bear Paws are a decadent combination of textures and flavors: soft, creamy caramel studded with crunchy roasted peanuts, all wrapped in a smooth layer of luscious white chocolate. Each bite is rich, nostalgic, and completely irresistible, making them feel like a true candy-shop indulgence made right at home.
These copycat Polar Bear Paws are perfect for the holiday season. They look beautiful on Christmas candy platters, tuck easily into festive tins, and make thoughtful homemade gifts for friends, family, and neighbors. Whether you’re recreating a favorite sweet or starting a new holiday tradition, this recipe brings a little bit of that classic candy-counter magic into your kitchen.
For your convenience in recreating this recipe, I’ve added shop-able ingredient and supply links where possible. Read our disclosure policy here.
Ingredients
- 1 bag (11 ounces) soft caramels
- 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
- 10 ounces vanilla almond bark or white chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon oil
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Instructions
To Prep: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Make the peanut caramel – Add the unwrapped soft caramels, heavy cream, and butter to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt caramels, stirring frequently, until smooth. Remove pan from heat and stir in the roasted peanuts. Allow to cool for 20–25 minutes, stirring at the halfway point to prevent the mixture from setting unevenly.
- Form the clusters – Use a medium cookie scoop to portion the mixture into 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoon size mounds on the prepared pan. Allow to cool completely until firm. To speed this up, you can place the baking sheet in the fridge or freezer.
- Make the coating – Place the vanilla almond bark (or white chocolate chips) and the oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20 second increments, stirring between, until completely melted and smooth.
- Dip and Set – Dip each cooled caramel cluster into the melted white chocolate coating, letting the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Place cluster on the baking sheet to dry.
Prep Tips
- Caramel – I used soft caramels. If you are using old and hard caramels, they won’t melt as smoothly.
- Adding the oil to the almond bark will help in the melting process, keeping the chocolate shiny and preventing cracking when the chocolate is setting.
- Cooling Time – Make sure the caramel mixture is cool enough before scooping. If it is too warm, the clusters will flatten into a disk.
- Substitutions – You can use cashews, chopped pecans, or almonds in place of peanuts.
- Variations – You can customize the look of these candies by drizzling with dark chocolate, topping with sprinkles. You can switch up the flavor of the coating by stirring in a half teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract. You could even coat the caramels in milk chocolate or dark chocolate instead of white chocolate, to really change up the flavor!
- Storage – Store your homemade Polar Bear Paws in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If stacking, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature before serving.
More Homemade Candy Recipes To Try:
- Copycat Reese’s White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- Easy Buckeye Candy
- Homemade Snickers
- Irish Potato Candy
- Homemade Gummy Bears
- Christmas Cream Cheese Mints
- Gumdrop Nougat Candy
- Microwave Caramel Recipe
Polar Bear Paws Recipe (Printable Recipe Card):
If you like this recipe, please rate it! We’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Soccer Mom Blog
Polar Bear Paws (See’s Candies Copycat)
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- Baking sheet
- Silicone baking mat
- microwave safe bowl
- Medium Cookie Scoop
Ingredients
- 11 ounces soft caramels 1 typical bag
- 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
- 10 ounces vanilla almond bark
- 1 tablespoon oil
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Add the unwrapped soft caramels, heavy cream, and butter to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook while stirring frequently, until the caramels are fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in the roasted peanuts.
- Allow the mixture to cool for 20–25 minutes, stirring at the halfway point to prevent the mixture from setting unevenly.
- Use a medium cookie scoop (1 1/2 – 2 Tablespoons) to portion the somewhat cooled mixture into mounds on the prepared pan.
- Allow the clusters to cool completely until firm. To speed this up, you can place the baking sheet in the fridge or freezer.
- Place the vanilla almond bark (or white chocolate chips) and the oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between, until completely melted and smooth.
- Dip each cooled peanut cluster into the melted white chocolate coating, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl.
- Place on the baking sheet to dry.
Notes
Caramels
Use soft caramels for smooth melting; older, hard caramels may not melt as evenly.Chocolate Tip
Adding a little oil to the almond bark helps it melt smoothly, stay shiny, and prevents cracking as it sets.Cooling Time
Let the caramel mixture cool slightly before scooping. If it’s too warm, the clusters will spread and flatten.Substitutions
Cashews can be used in place of peanuts.Variations
Drizzle with dark chocolate, add sprinkles, or stir in ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract for extra flavor.Nutrition
Be sure to pin our homemade polar bear paw candies on Pinterest:
You might also like:
- Crockpot Candy (Only 4 Ingredients) - January 13, 2026
- 100 Winter Bucket List Ideas - January 7, 2026
- Lucky New Year’s Eve Traditions - December 27, 2025
