These homemade bear paw candies start with a rich chewy caramel and cashew center. They are dipped in chocolate, and more cashews make the bear claws. They are cute and beyond delicious.

Close up of a plate of bear paw candies with one cut broken open showing caramel and cashew center with chocolate coating and cashew bear claws.

Bear paw candies have been a favorite with our friends and family for years. The salty cashews and chewy caramel just go perfectly with chocolate.

If you add the extra cashews on the outside, they are extra cute. We love them at the holidays, but they would also be fun for animal themed parties.

Cast iron pan on stove filled with warm homemade gooey caramel and chopped cashews.

Baking sheet lined with parchment paper and topped with scoops of caramel and cashew mixture, ready to freeze.

For years, we have been making easy bear paw candies with chewy caramels from the grocery store. They are fabulous that way.

However, I have really been enjoying making my own caramel lately. I used it to make homemade turtles last year.

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Dipping frozen caramel and cashew mounds in melted hot chocolate and decorating with additional cashews to look like bear claws.

Baking sheet filled with chocolate dipped cashew and caramel candies with cashew bear claws on top, setting up.

Then, I used the same caramel to make caramel apple wraps this fall. It is so versatile and beyond delicious.

So, this year, I thought I would make my own caramel for the bear claws. I am not one to hold out on a good recipe idea, so here it is for you, too.

Hand holding a bear paw candy with chocolate dipped caramel and cashew center and 3 additional cashews on top to look like a bear claw.

Plate of homemade bear claw candies with one split open showing chewy caramel and cashew center.

I hope you decide to give them a try. They are sure to be a hit with your family and friends like they are with ours.

5 from 1 rating

Homemade Bear Paw Candies

Author: Carlee

Servings: Candies

Homemade bear paw candies feature the perfect combination of salted cashews, chewy caramel, and chocolate. They are a lot like See's candies, but better. They are easy to make and are a great DIY candy for Christmas and beyond.

Prep: 40

Cook: 20

Total: 1

Equipment

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup salted butter
▢ 2 cups light brown sugar packed
▢ 1 cup light corn syrup
▢ 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
▢ 3½ cups lightly salted cashews roughly chopped
▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
▢ 25 ounces chocolate melting wafers
▢ additional cashews for decoration if desired

Instructions

Line sheet pans with parchment paper.
Melt 1 cup salted butter in a large heavy bottomed pan over medium heat.
Add 2 cups light brown sugar, 1 cup light corn syrup, and 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk. Stir to combine.
Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 235℉.
Remove from heat and stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and chopped 3½ cups lightly salted cashews.
Allow to cool 5-10 minutes. Then scoop 1 Tablespoon of the mixture onto the parchment paper. Continue until all of the caramel cashew candy is dolloped into small mounds.
Freeze for 10-30 minutes or until firm.
While the caramel is in the freezer melt the 25 ounces chocolate melting wafers in the microwave or over a double boiler.
Dip each caramel candy in the chocolate to coat. If desired, quickly press 3 cashews into the chocolate to resemble a bear claw.
Allow the candy to set up completely before storing.
Place layers of parchment paper or wax paper between turtles if stacking to store. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks.