Description
Santa’s Whiskers Cookies are festive, buttery slices studded with red candied cherries and crunchy pecans, rolled in coconut for a snowy finish. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these charming cookies combine rich flavors and a tender texture that makes them a seasonal favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup red candied cherries, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
Coating
- 1 cup flaked coconut
Instructions
- Prepare dough: In a large mixer bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Add granulated sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. Incorporate milk and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually add all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, beating until well combined. Stir in finely chopped red candied cherries and chopped pecans evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape rolls: Divide the dough and shape it into three rolls, each approximately 7 inches long.
- Coat rolls: Roll each dough log in flaked coconut, ensuring all sides are coated evenly.
- Chill dough: Wrap the coconut-coated rolls tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours, or at least 4 hours, to firm up.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, preparing an ungreased cookie sheet for baking.
- Slice and bake: Remove chilled dough from refrigerator and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices. Arrange slices on the ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned and cookies are set.
- Cool cookies: Transfer baked cookies to wire racks and allow them to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to ensure the cookies hold their shape when sliced and baked.
- For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or substitute with sunflower seeds.
- Use fresh coconut flakes for a more pronounced coconut flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
