Just like the candy served at the famed See’s Candy shop, these Polar Bear Paws are highly addictive, super delicious, and SO easy to make! Crunchy, salty peanuts enrobed in buttery caramel and coated in white chocolate. A perfect holiday treat!
When I was in high school, the cool place to hang out with my friends was the mall.
Keep in mind, this mall sucked then and it continues to suck to this day. It’s called Sunrise Mall, and it has maybe 20 real stores, and the rest are closed down or like, “Ray’s Shirts” or whatever. But back then, it was a little bit better, with a cool Hot Topic, a Sam Goody, and a cheap movie theater for me to make out with my boyfriends. Hey, don’t judge! You were once 16, too.
I would always go with my BFF, Katrina, and we’d spend hours walking around the perimeter of the mall, like mall walkers but cooler, obvi. We’d get ourselves Orange Julius drinks and get a major sugar high, then when we felt ourselves crashing, we’d always crawl into See’s Candies to get a free square of fudge. However, I always dug around for a couple quarters so I could buy myself a highly coveted Polar Bear Paw.
Once I had a taste of this magical invention, I was hooked. However, I generally try to avoid See’s Candy now only because I’m older and don’t have the same metabolism as I did when I was a teen. Also, the See’s Candy at the new mall in town is ALWAYS packed and your girl ain’t about waiting around for fudge when I could make my own!
So with the holidays creeping up, I figured these would be the perfect treat for me to copycat and recreate so we can all enjoy the deliciousness! Not only are these SO SIMPLE (seriously – a few ingredients!), they can be made start to finish in like 30 minutes. No joke! And of course, they’re no-bake which is a HUGE timesaver during the bustling holidays.
Crunchy, slightly salted peanuts are coated in buttery caramel, then the whole shebang is enrobed in sweet white chocolate. Of course, you could probably make these “black bear paws” and coat them in chocolate if white chocolate ain’t your thang, but I prefer white chocolate + caramel the most!
For the holidays, consider these bad boys for gift-giving… or for hoarding yourself.
- One 11-oz bag Kraft caramel bits (or caramel squares, unwrapped if using)
- 3 Tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 & ¼ cups unsalted peanuts
- One 16 oz pkg vanilla/white chocolate CandiQuik or similar white candy coating
- In a medium microwaveable bowl, combine the caramel bits (or squares if using), the heavy whipping cream, and the butter. Microwave for about 90 seconds, stopping to stir the mixture every 30 seconds. The first two times you stir the mixture, it will be kind of hard to stir, but you just want the mixture to move around some so it doesn't burn. Mixture will be smooth, glossy and melted around the 90 second mark. Stir in the vanilla, and then pour in the peanuts and let set for 5-10 minutes to thicken.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop heaping Tablespoonful mounds of the caramel peanut mixture scattered about on the baking sheet, keeping them somewhat spaced out so they don't all seep together. Once the little caramel nut puddles are made, freeze the baking sheet until the caramel mounds are solid, about 5-10 minutes. They should easily peel away from the parchment when solid enough to handle.
- Prepare the vanilla CandiQuik according to package directions or until smooth and melted. Dunk each caramel nut mound into the white candy coating, using a fork to coat all sides. Return the coated polar bear paw to the baking sheet and repeat with remaining paws. Wait until chocolate hardens (should be quick on contact with the cold mixture) before serving.
Easy, addictive, delicious candy great for the holidays! Hope you enjoy these as much as I did!
Have a super sweet day!
xo, Hayley
Annette says
Well these sure do look delicious!
thedomesticrebel says
Thanks Annette! Can’t wait to see on IG if you make them!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Is it weird that i have all the ingredients for these? I want to make them now!
thedomesticrebel says
You totally should; they are SO dang good! I’m going to make another batch soon 🙂
cakespy says
HOLY YUM I NEED THESE.
Patty says
Can these be frozen? Looking to start my baking early this year. These look so yummy
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Patty! You could totally freeze them but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let them come to room temperature before serving them! I cannot afford your dental bill when you bite into frozen caramel and break a tooth! 😉
Janie Allen says
How long can these be made in advance? How do you store them?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Janie! Keep them airtight at room temperature – if you do refrigerate or freeze, PLEASE let them come to room temperature before serving as cold caramel is not great for teeth 🙂 I’d say they would last up to a week, week and a half!
Jen says
Have you made these with salted and unsalted peanuts? The recipe calls for unsalted, but your post says slightly salted. Just wondering which would taste better!
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Jen, I would use unsalted. I said in the post the peanuts give a nice salty bite because I personally find even unsalted peanuts a little salty compared to the other ingredients 🙂 Hope that clears it up!
Jen says
Thanks!!
Danielle says
When do you add the tsp of vanilla extract?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Danielle! Oops, it’s after the butter/caramel/cream mixture has melted, right before you add the peanuts. Editing my instructions now!
Lesley says
I seem to only find dry roasted peanuts. Does it matter if they are unsalted AND dry roasted? Peanut and white chocolate are one of my favorite combos. Can’t wait to try these!
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Lesley, that’d be just fine! I just didn’t want to use salted or flavored peanuts so the natural flavor can come through AND so they aren’t too salty 🙂
Kathryn says
How many caramels are in a 11 Oz PKG? I only have individual ones.
thedomesticrebel says
That’s a good question… if you have a measuring scale, you can weigh out individual caramels to weigh 11 oz. Otherwise, maybe 45-50?
Hollie says
Hello, can I use white chocolate chips or bar instead of the candi quik? Thanks.
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Hollie – I would use a white chocolate baking bar if you cannot use the candy coating. Chocolate chips have a low melting point so they are more prone to seizing. Just melt the white chocolate bar low and slow.
Savonna says
Made these for my office Christmas party! They were absolutely delicious!!!!!!!!!! I did have to use a whole 24 oz block of Almond Bark for mine and I changed it from peanuts to Pecans!!!
Glynnie says
Ooh yummy, I love pecans. Will make these both ways for the holidays. Thanks for the great idea! I’d make them right now, but ….dang…wish I was young and skinny again! Lol
Duane K Sartori says
I made these also with cashews and my family absolutely devoured them. They are requesting more. Thanks for the recipe!
thedomesticrebel says
Love cashews!!!
Carol says
Could you use anything in place of heavy whipping cream?
thedomesticrebel says
Sure, you can try to use milk! It should work.
Kathy says
I love these things, I get them at Sees’ at the mall too. I loved reading your nostalgic description of the mall–it takes me back! I’ll be making these soon. Thank you for the recipe.