Cream Cheese Cookie Polar Bears Recipe

If you’re anything like me and adore soft, fluffy cookies with a fun and adorable twist, then you’re going to love this Cream Cheese Cookie Polar Bears Recipe. These cookies don’t just taste amazing—they’re also ridiculously cute! I first tried making these for a winter party, and my family went crazy for them. The cream cheese keeps the cookies super soft, and adding that playful polar bear design means they’re not only a treat for your taste buds but also for your eyes. Keep reading because I’m excited to share all my tips and tricks to help you nail these polar bear cookies perfectly!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in the Cream Cheese Cookie Polar Bears Recipe plays an important role in getting that perfect soft, flavorful bite with the iconic polar bear look. Let me walk you through the essentials you’ll want to have on hand and why they matter.

• Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness in the dough perfectly; make sure it’s room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Full Fat Cream Cheese: This is the secret ingredient that keeps the cookies tender and adds subtle richness.
• Granulated Sugar: It adds the right sweetness and aids in the soft, creamier texture.
• Egg: Helps bind the dough while keeping it soft.
• Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste: The vanilla gives these cookies that warm, comforting aroma that makes them irresistible.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base for your dough that holds everything together without making it tough.
• Cornstarch: This ingredient lightens the texture, helping create that soft-batch feel.
• Baking Powder: Gives your cookies a gentle lift without puffing them up too much.
• Fine Salt: Just a pinch to balance sweetness and enhance flavors.
• Buttercream Frosting Ingredients: Butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and heavy cream combine into a silky frosting that’s perfect for decorating.
• Decorations: Coarse sanding sugar for sparkle, large dark chocolate chips for noses, and various colored sprinkles for eyes and ears create that charming polar bear face.

Variations

I love how versatile this Cream Cheese Cookie Polar Bears Recipe is. Over time, I’ve tweaked it in a few ways to suit different occasions or dietary needs—and honestly, you can get creative too! Don’t hesitate to adjust it to make it truly yours.

• Flavor Twist: I’ve tried adding a bit of lemon zest to the dough for a fresh citrus hint—my family was surprised and loved it!
• Chocolate Variation: Using mini white chocolate chips instead of dark for the bear’s nose and mixing cocoa powder into the dough for chocolate polar bears works beautifully.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix—you might need to adjust chilling time slightly for best results.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap butter and cream cheese for vegan alternatives and an egg replacer; although I haven’t personally tried it yet, many friends found good success.

How to Make Cream Cheese Cookie Polar Bears Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese Just Right

You’ll want to start by beating the butter and cream cheese together on medium speed until lovely and smooth. I love this step because it’s where the magic begins—getting a light, creamy base helps make these cookies extra soft and fluffy. Don’t rush this part; a couple of minutes until it’s smooth and free of lumps is perfect. It’ll help you avoid that gritty texture sometimes caused by under-creaming.

Step 2: Sweeten and Flavor

Next up, add the granulated sugar and whip it on medium-high speed for about two minutes until the mixture lightens in color. This aerates the dough, which is key for softness. Then add your egg and vanilla extract; beat just long enough to combine. Over-mixing here can make the dough tough, so keep it gentle.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine

Whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl—this ensures even distribution. Add this dry mix into your wet batter in two parts, mixing just until everything comes together. Scrape the bowl sides well between additions. You’ll notice the dough feels sticky—that’s good! Resist the urge to overwork it, which can make your cookies tough instead of pillow-soft.

Step 4: Chill and Shape Your Snowy Bears

Divide your sticky dough into two flattened rectangles, wrap them tightly in plastic, and chill. I’ve found that 2 hours in the fridge or 30 minutes in the freezer works great depending on your timeline. When it’s time to shape, roll out the dough on lightly floured plastic wrap (trust me, this trick avoids messy counters). Cut out circles for the bear faces, and smaller circles for ears. A little trick I use: trimming a small notch on each ear circle helps them sit snugly against the face. Chill your shaped cookies again before baking so they hold their shape beautifully in the oven.

Step 5: Bake to Soft Perfection

Bake your cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 12-14 minutes. The key is to catch them right before the edges start to brown to keep that soft texture. I usually bake one sheet at a time on the top rack for even heat. After baking, let the cookies cool partially on the sheet then transfer to a wire rack. This slow cooling helps keep them tender. Pro tip—save your scraps, knead gently, re-chill, and roll out again to get every bit of dough used!

Step 6: Whip Up That Dreamy Buttercream

For the frosting, start by beating softened butter on medium speed until smooth. Then add vanilla and salt, followed by the powdered sugar and heavy cream gradually. Scrape your bowl frequently to avoid over or under mixing. This frosting is luscious but pipes nicely, which is perfect when decorating your sweet polar bears. Adjust the cream or sugar to get the ideal spreading texture—you’ll find your perfect balance in no time.

Step 7: Decorate Your Polar Bears with Love

Once cookies are completely cooled, gently pipe a thin layer of frosting over the top and immediately press them into a bowl of sanding sugar. This gives them a frosty, snowy look—I absolutely love how this turns out! Then use a small oval of frosting to add the muzzle, pressing in a chocolate chip nose, black sprinkle eyes, and pink or red sprinkles for ears. You really can’t mess this up—feel free to improvise with what you have. Every bear ends up uniquely adorable!

How to Serve Cream Cheese Cookie Polar Bears Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a huge fan of keeping garnishes simple yet eye-catching. The coarse sanding sugar adds a wintry sparkle that reminds me of freshly fallen snow, which is perfect for polar bears. I stick with classic dark chocolate chips for noses because they contrast beautifully with the white and add a rich flavor punch. For eyes and ears, I often use colored sprinkles I find in the baking aisle, but don’t hesitate to get creative—sometimes edible glitter or even tiny fondant shapes take them to the next level.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine as a cozy dessert or afternoon treat with a hot cup of cocoa or vanilla chai tea. I love pairing the polar bears with simple fresh fruit on the side—berries especially complement the sweetness well. If it’s a party, set out some milk or flavored creamers to keep everyone happy and dipping!

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings or kids’ parties, I’ve arranged these polar bear cookies on a platter lined with crushed peppermint or coconut “snow.” You can stack them like little bear towers using parchment layers in between. Another fun way is turning the cookie faces into mini cupcakes foundations and piping extra frosting decorations on top for a 3D effect—kids think it’s pure magic!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

One of the things I really appreciate about the Cream Cheese Cookie Polar Bears Recipe is how well these cookies hold up. Store any frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate them for up to 5 days. If stacking, I place parchment paper between layers to keep the delicate frosting from smushing. My experience shows chilled buttercream frosting firms nicely but remains soft, so be gentle when handling.

Freezing

I often freeze both the dough and baked cookies. Wrap the dough well in plastic and store in the freezer for up to one month. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling and baking. For baked cookies, freeze unfrosted for up to a month in an airtight container. I recommend frosting after thawing to keep things fresh and look fantastic.

Reheating

Since these cookies taste best soft, I usually just let frozen baked cookies thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours before eating. If you want them a little warm, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes—just be careful not to melt the frosting if decorated. Leftovers can also be enjoyed cold straight from the fridge!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Making the Cream Cheese Cookie Polar Bears Recipe is one of those joyful baking projects that feels as special as it tastes. I love how these cookies bring smiles to my family’s faces—and they’re never too fancy or difficult to tackle. Whether you’re looking for a unique holiday treat, a fun dessert to bake with kids, or just a way to brighten any day, these polar bear cookies deliver big on charm and flavor. Trust me: once you try them, they’ll become a beloved classic in your kitchen too. So roll up your sleeves, get cozy, and let’s bake some smiles together!

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