Cream Cheese Cookies with Polar Bear Decorations Recipe

If you’re looking for a cookie that’s irresistibly soft, delightfully creamy, and topped with the cutest little polar bear faces, you’re in the right place! This Cream Cheese Cookies with Polar Bear Decorations Recipe is one of my all-time favorites for cozy gatherings, holiday baking, or just a fun weekend project. I absolutely love how these cookies come out soft, slightly tangy from the cream cheese, and perfectly sweet. Plus, decorating those charming polar bears brings a smile every single time — I promise, you’ll have just as much fun making them as eating them.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Cream Cheese Cookies with Polar Bear Decorations Recipe plays an important role — from the cream cheese enriching the dough to the buttercream frosting that’s soft and spreadable. I like to use good quality vanilla paste and fresh butter because it really lifts the flavor and texture.

• Unsalted Butter: Bring it to room temp for easy creaming and the best cookie crumb.
• Cream Cheese: Full fat is key here to get that rich, tender texture in the cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cookie’s light color and tender crumb.
• Large Egg: Room temperature makes it blend smoothly for even texture.
• Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste: I prefer paste for those lovely vanilla flecks and deep flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base for structure, sifted or whisked to prevent lumps.
• Cornstarch: The secret weapon for extra softness—it softens the cookies beautifully.
• Baking Powder: Just a pinch to give the cookies a slight lift without puffing too much.
• Fine Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• Powdered Sugar: For creating that silky smooth buttercream frosting.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds perfect creaminess to the frosting.
• Decorations like coarse sanding sugar, chocolate chips & sprinkles: These bring the polar bear faces to life — get creative with what you have!

Variations

I love making this Cream Cheese Cookies with Polar Bear Decorations Recipe my own by switching up the frosting flavors or decoration styles depending on the occasion. Feel free to customize and make these cookies your signature treat.

• Chocolate Frosting Variation: I swapped the vanilla buttercream for chocolate once, and my kids absolutely went wild over the richness paired with the tangy cream cheese cookie.
• Gluten-Free Version: Using a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend works great, just be gentle when mixing to keep the dough tender.
• Seasonal Decorations: I’ve used colored sanding sugars or edible glitter for holidays—Christmas polar bears with red-and-green sprinkles look adorable!
• Mini Cookies: Make smaller cookies for bite-size snacks. It’s a huge hit at birthday parties and easier for little hands.

How to Make Cream Cheese Cookies with Polar Bear Decorations Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese Until Smooth

Start by placing your softened butter and cream cheese in a large bowl or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is silky smooth — this only takes a couple of minutes. This initial step is important because thoroughly creamed butter and cream cheese help incorporate air, which makes your cookies fluffy and soft. I’ve learned that skipping this can lead to denser cookies, so don’t rush!

Step 2: Add Sugar, Eggs, and Vanilla

Once your butter and cream cheese combo is smooth, add granulated sugar and beat on medium-high speed until the mixture lightens in color and becomes fluffy—usually around 2 minutes. Then, mix in the egg and vanilla extract or paste at medium speed until everything’s incorporated. This step builds flavor and texture, so be patient for that beautiful airy base.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt together until evenly blended. This helps the dry ingredients distribute smoothly through your dough without clumping.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients into the Wet Batter Carefully

Add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients in two parts, mixing on low speed just until combined each time. Be sure to scrape the bowl down between additions. The dough will be sticky—that’s perfect! Don’t overmix here, or you’ll risk dense cookies. I discovered this the hard way and now I always stop mixing the moment the flour disappears.

Step 5: Chill the Dough for Best Results

Divide the dough into two halves, wrap each in plastic wrap, and flatten into a rectangle about half an inch thick for easier rolling later. Pop them in the fridge for at least two hours (or up to overnight). Chilling solidifies the fats and hydrates the flour, which prevents spreading and helps the cookies keep their shape—a trick I swear by! If you’re short on time, 30 minutes in the freezer also works.

Step 6: Roll Out and Cut Your Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) about 30 minutes before you’re ready to bake, and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Remove one dough piece from the fridge, unwrap it onto a floured surface or even better onto plastic wrap for easier cleanup. Dust your rolling pin and dough lightly with flour to avoid sticking and roll out evenly to about 1/3-inch thickness. Use a 2 1/2 inch circle cutter (or a glass of similar size) to cut the cookie bases.

Use a smaller 3/4-inch round cutter (or a bottle cap) to create ear shapes from the scraps. To help the ears stick nicely, cut a small notch in each ear to flatten them slightly so they sit flush against the big circles. I always space my cookies about an inch apart on the tray because these don’t spread much.

Step 7: Chill Cut-Out Cookies and Bake

Pop the trays into the fridge for 15 minutes or freezer for 5 minutes before baking—this extra chill keeps the edges sharp while baking. Bake cookies one sheet at a time on the top rack for 12-14 minutes, watching carefully to avoid browning. I pull mine out just before edges brown since they firm up as they cool. Let them cool on the sheet for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 8: Make the Creamy Buttercream Frosting

While cookies are baking and cooling, beat softened butter on medium speed until smooth. Mix in vanilla and salt, then gradually add powdered sugar and cream, beating on low and scraping down the bowl as needed. Adjust thickness with small amounts of cream or powdered sugar until piping consistency is perfect. I use a round piping tip for smooth application, but cutting a small hole in a bag works fine if you’re in a pinch!

Step 9: Decorate Your Polar Bear Cookies

Once cookies are fully cooled, pipe a thin frosting layer on each and press them face-down into a bowl of white sanding sugar to coat evenly—this makes the frosting set nicely and gives a snowy look. Then, pipe a small oval on the lower part of the cookie face for the muzzle. Press a large chocolate chip onto the muzzle for the nose, and use black sprinkles for eyes plus red or pink ones for ears. Don’t worry about perfect symmetry; I love how each bear ends up with its own quirky charm. If you want, fondant or other edible bits can jazz up your details too.

How to Serve Cream Cheese Cookies with Polar Bear Decorations Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple with colorful sprinkles for eyes and ears that make the polar bears literally pop on the cookie. Sometimes I add a little edible glitter or finely chopped nuts around the plate for a festive touch. These cookies shine best when their adorable faces are front and center, so minimal extra garnishing usually works best.

Side Dishes

Serving these creamy, soft cookies alongside a hot cup of cocoa or warm chai really elevates the experience. I also love pairing them with a sharp cheese plate during winter gatherings — the sweet contrast is surprisingly delightful. Fresh berries or a simple vanilla ice cream scoop on the side can make a great complement too.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve presented these polar bear cookies on festive platters lined with faux snow made from shredded coconut or powdered sugar dusting for holiday parties. Wrapping sets of two or three with colorful cellophane and a ribbon makes sweet gifts. Last year, I even attached tiny “name tags” for a polar bear-themed kids’ party place setting—it was a huge hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want them to last longer, the fridge works for up to 5 days, but the frosting firms up more. To avoid smushed decorations, I always layer parchment paper between stacked cookies—this keeps those adorable faces intact.

Freezing

I often freeze the cookie dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, stored inside an airtight container, for up to a month—just thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling out. Baked and unfrosted cookies can also be frozen for a month. I recommend frosting them only after thawing to keep that fresh, creamy buttercream texture.

Reheating

If you want to warm these cookies slightly after storage, I gently heat them in a low-temp oven (about 300°F) for just 2-3 minutes. This brings back the softness without melting the frosting too much. Microwave reheating can make the frosting runny, so I avoid that if I want to keep the polar bear decorations intact.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Cream Cheese Cookies with Polar Bear Decorations Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen, not just because of the deliciously soft and creamy texture, but because it brings such joy when decorating. When I first tried making these, the smiles on my family’s faces warmed me up more than the oven ever could! I hope you’ll enjoy making them just as much and share these adorable, tasty treats with your loved ones. So, next time you’re craving something sweet and whimsical, grab your mixing bowl and get ready to create some baking magic with these lovable polar bears!

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