Description
Enjoy a delightful homemade treat with these Polar Bear Paws, a copycat of See’s Candies classic. Featuring a luscious blend of creamy caramel, roasted salted peanuts, and a smooth white chocolate coating, these bite-sized clusters are perfect for gifting or indulging in a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramel Mixture
- 11 ounce bag Kraft Caramel Bits (or unwrapped soft caramel candies)
- 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup roasted salted peanuts
Chocolate Coating
- 12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate melting wafers
Instructions
- Prepare the workspace: Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside to make a non-stick surface for the candy clusters.
- Melt the caramel mixture: Place caramel bits, heavy cream, and unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring well between each, until the mixture is completely smooth. Alternatively, melt over a double boiler for controlled heating.
- Mix in nuts and cool: Stir the roasted salted peanuts into the melted caramel. Let the mixture rest in the bowl for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to help it cool and thicken slightly.
- Form clusters: Using a spoon, drop tablespoon-sized mounds of the caramel and peanut mixture onto the prepared parchment paper, spacing them evenly.
- Chill clusters: Place the tray of clusters in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes until they are firm and set.
- Melt white chocolate wafers: Following the package directions, melt the Ghirardelli white chocolate melting wafers, stirring until completely smooth and ready for dipping.
- Dip clusters: Working with a few clusters at a time and keeping the rest chilled, dip each caramel cluster into the melted white chocolate. Use a fork to lift it out, tapping the fork on the bowl’s rim to allow excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl, then place the coated cluster back on the parchment-lined pan.
- Set the chocolate coating: Return the dipped clusters to the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes, or until the white chocolate has fully hardened. Serve immediately or package the candies as a thoughtful homemade gift.
Notes
- For melting caramels, a double boiler can prevent burning and provide smoother caramel.
- You can substitute Kraft caramel bits with any other soft caramel candies but ensure they are unwrapped before melting.
- Use Ghirardelli white chocolate melting wafers for the best texture and melting consistency; other white chocolates may behave differently.
- Store finished Polar Bear Paws in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
- Allow enough time for proper chilling to ensure firm clusters and chocolate coating.
