Polar Bear Paws Candy
A sweet-and-salty candy made with soft caramels, roasted peanuts, vanilla, and smooth white chocolate. These Polar Bear Paws Candy clusters are simple to prepare and perfect for festive gifting or holiday dessert trays.
24 Servings
Ingredients
- 11 ounces soft caramels
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups roasted salted peanuts
- 12 ounces white chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil or shortening
Instructions
Melt the Caramels
- Place the soft caramels, heavy cream, and unsalted butter into a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir thoroughly. Continue microwave heating in 15-second increments, stirring between each interval, until the caramel mixture becomes completely smooth.
Add Vanilla and Peanuts
- Stir in the vanilla extract, followed by the roasted salted peanuts. Mix until all peanuts are evenly coated with caramel.
Cool the Caramel Mixture
- Allow the caramel mixture to rest at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened. This helps the candy retain its shape when scooped.
Portion the Clusters
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon, portion the caramel-peanut mixture into individual mounds, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until firm.
Melt the White Chocolate
- In a separate microwave-safe bowl, combine the white chocolate chips and vegetable oil (or shortening). Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
Coat the Clusters
- Dip each chilled caramel cluster into the melted white chocolate. Use a fork to lift the cluster from the bowl, allowing excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Place the coated clusters onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Set the Chocolate
- Allow the clusters to sit at room temperature until the white chocolate is fully set. To speed the process, the clusters may be refrigerated.
Notes
To ensure this recipe remains gluten-free, verify that the caramels, white chocolate chips, and roasted peanuts are certified gluten-free. Some brands may include wheat-derived stabilizers or be processed in facilities that handle gluten-containing ingredients. Using gluten-free verified products ensures the final candy is safe for gluten-free diets.