New England Polar Bear Recipes

POLAR BEAR

Steps:

• 1. Prepare Kellogg's® Eggo® Minis Homestyle waffles according to package directions. Cool completely. For one paw, use frosting to attach 3 chocolate morsels to edge of one of the waffles. Repeat 3 more times for remaining paws. Set aside.
• 2. Place the ½-cup scoop of ice cream in center of serving plate. Working quickly, arrange large marshmallow pieces around ice cream for legs.
• 3. Place the remaining waffle above the scoop of ice cream for head. Top waffle with the 3-tablespoon scoop of ice cream. On small ice cream scoop, arrange small chocolate morsels for eyes, large chocolate morsel for nose and miniature marshmallow pieces for ears. Prop waffle paws against regular marshmallow pieces for feet. Place strips of candy on ice cream for scarf. Serve immediately.

FROSTY POLAR BEARS

Steps:

• Spread peanut butter on half of the crackers; top with remaining crackers to make sandwiches. Refrigerate until firm., Dip sandwiches in melted candy coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper. Dip marshmallows in coating; allow excess to drip off. Place two marshmallows on top of each cookie for ears., Dip mini crackers in melted candy coating; allow excess to drip off. Place on top of sandwiches for snouts. Top each snout with a blue M&M. Decorate with black sugar pearls for eyes and, if desired, use black decorating icing for mouths. Let stand until set. Refrigerate cookies in an airtight container.

(SAVE THE POLAR) BEAR CLAWS

Steps:

• Place the flour and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. With the mixer on low, add the butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, until incorporated. Then add the mascarpone, 2 tablespoons at a time, until blended.
• Divide the dough into 3 equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disc, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
• Prepare the filling by bringing the apricots and 2 1/2 cups water to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Let cool completely, then drain apricots and roughly chop.
• Dust a work surface lightly with flour. Roll one disc of chilled dough into an 9-by-13-inch rectangle, 1/4 -inch thick. Then cut the rectangle into 3 (9-by-4 1/3-inch) smaller rectangles. Lay each rectangle vertically. Place 2 1/2 to 3 tablespoons apricots on the bottom half of the rectangle. Top with 1 1/2 teaspoons of apricot preserves. Fold the top half of the dough over the fruit and press down along the edges to seal. Using a paring knife, cut away a small amount of the sealed edge to tighten the seal. Cut 4 ( 3/4-inch-long) slits into the sealed end (opposite the fold) to make bear nails. Repeat with the remaining discs of dough. Refrigerate the bear claws for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, cream and a few drops of water. Place bear claws on the baking sheets 2 inches apart. Brush the top of each bearclaw with the egg wash, then sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake until golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove bear claws from the oven and let cool.

SEE'S POLAR BEAR PAWS RECIPE

Steps:

• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Mix sugar, corn syrup, butter, and 1 cup whipping cream in a 4 quart pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir constantly.
• Once it comes to a boil, heat the other cup of whipping cream in the microwave for 1 minute until hot. Gradually add the cream to the ingredients cooking in the pan, stirring constantly. (add it slowly so the caramel mixture never stops boiling)
• Continue stirring and it will begin to thicken and darken in color. Cook until it reaches about 242 degrees (soft ball stage). You can do the cold water test by spooning a little of the caramel into cold water, let it sit for a few seconds and then pull it out and if it can hold the shape of a ball then it's done. If not, keep cooking and repeat the test. (This cooking process to get it to the right temperature could take up to 20 - 25 minutes. Just keep stirring over the medium heat).
• When it reaches the soft ball stage or 242 degrees, remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Then fold in the peanuts. Pour into a bowl to cool for about 30 minutes, stirring every few minutes to cool quicker.
• Spoon onto parchment paper in tablespoon size mounds. Place in the fridge for about 30 minutes until set.
• Melt vanilla candy coating in the microwave on low for 30 second increments. Stir until melted and smooth. Dip the caramel cluster into the white chocolate with a fork allowing the excess chocolate to drip off. (I use a plastic fork with the middle tines broken out.This works great for letting the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl) Place back onto the parchment lined pan to set up. They can be refrigerated to set up faster.