Description
Santa’s Whiskers Cookies are delightful, festive treats featuring a buttery base enriched with chopped red candied cherries and pecans. Rolled in flaked coconut for a snowy finish, these cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations and bring a nostalgic charm to your dessert table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 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
Topping
- 1 cup flaked coconut
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixer bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Add the granulated sugar and continue beating until the mixture is fluffy. Incorporate the milk and vanilla extract and beat well to combine.
- Mix dry ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet mixture and beat until well combined. Stir in the finely chopped red candied cherries and chopped pecans evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape the dough: Divide the dough and shape it into three rolls, each about 7 inches long. Roll each log in flaked coconut to coat the surface fully.
- Chill the dough: Wrap each coconut-coated roll tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to firm up the dough for slicing.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, preparing it for baking the cookies.
- Slice the cookies: Remove the chilled dough logs from the refrigerator and slice them into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place the slices on an ungreased cookie sheet, spaced slightly apart.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for about 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies are set.
- Cool the cookies: Transfer the baked cookies to wire racks to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- For extra flavor, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the dough.
- If you prefer softer cookies, reduce the baking time by a minute or two.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.
- Substitute milk with almond or soy milk for a dairy-free option, though it may slightly affect texture.
- Red candied cherries can be substituted with dried cranberries for a different but tasty twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
