Peppermint patties or chocolate dipped Oreos1 for each cookie
Brown M&Ms4 for each cookie
Shredded coconut
Instructions
Bake the cookies if desired. Make sure they are completely cooled.
If making homemade frosting, mix according to the recipe directions. Or, if using canned, allow the frosting to come to an easily spreadable room temperature.
Using an offset spatula, generously frost each cookie. The frosting should be thick enough to hold the decorations in place. Make the frosting as even as possible over the top of the cookie.
Place a peppermint pattie or Oreo near the bottom center edge or the cookie, to form the pad of the polar bear paw.
Place 4 M&Ms onto the cookie above the paw pad, in a slight arc around the pad of the paw, to form the polar bear paw toes.
Repeat placing pads and toes on each cookie, until every one has paw pads and toes.
Press some shredded coconut into the frosting of each cookie to make the fur. Cover the top of the cookie, but do not obscure the peppermint patties or the M&Ms. Gently use your fingers to pat and press the coconut into the frosting around the paw print, until the cookies look like furry Polar Bear Paws.