Description
Polar Bear Paws are delightful caramel peanut clusters coated in smooth vanilla almond bark, combining gooey caramel, crunchy peanuts, and creamy chocolate for a perfect sweet and salty treat. These no-bake candies are easy to make and ideal for sharing during holidays or as a tasty snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramel Mixture
- 1 bag (11 ounces) caramel bits
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups (219 g) dry roasted salted peanuts
Coating
- 16 ounces vanilla almond bark
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheet. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to use later for placing clusters and coated candies.
- Melt Caramel Mixture. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine caramel bits, unsalted butter, and heavy cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until the mixture is fully melted and smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes total.
- Mix in Peanuts. Stir the dry roasted salted peanuts into the melted caramel until all nuts are evenly coated.
- Form Clusters and Chill. Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop clusters of the caramel-peanut mixture onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the sheet in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes until the clusters are firm.
- Melt Almond Bark. Break the vanilla almond bark into pieces and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the bark is completely melted and smooth.
- Dip Clusters in Almond Bark. Remove the chilled clusters in small batches. Using a fork, lift each cluster and gently dip it into the melted almond bark, coating it thoroughly. Use a spoon to help cover the top if necessary.
- Place Dipped Clusters on Sheet. Tap the fork on the edge of the bowl to remove excess coating, then transfer the dipped cluster onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a toothpick or skewer as needed to slide the cluster off the fork.
- Repeat Dipping. Continue dipping remaining clusters until all are coated with almond bark.
- Let Candies Set. Allow the dipped candies to set at room temperature until firm, or speed up the process by refrigerating them for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Store Properly. Store the Polar Bear Paws in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Refrigerate if you prefer a firmer texture before serving.
Notes
- Ensure to microwave in short intervals to prevent burning the caramel and almond bark.
- Work in small batches when dipping clusters to avoid melting the chilled candy.
- You can substitute peanuts with other nuts like almonds or cashews according to preference.
- Store in a cool place to maintain the texture of the almond bark coating.
- If vanilla almond bark is unavailable, white chocolate coating can be used as an alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Candy
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: caramel peanut clusters, vanilla almond bark, no-bake candy, Polar Bear Paws recipe, sweet and salty snack, holiday treats, easy candy recipe
