Description
Santa’s Whiskers Cookies are delightful buttery cookies loaded with chopped red candied cherries and pecans, rolled in a coconut coating for a festive and flavorful treat. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these cookies combine rich flavors and a tender texture with a crisp coconut exterior.
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 the dough: In a large mixer bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and beat until the mixture is fluffy. Incorporate the milk and vanilla extract, beating well to combine.
- Add dry ingredients and mix-ins: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture and beat until well combined. Gently fold in the finely chopped red candied cherries and pecans to distribute evenly throughout the dough.
- Form dough logs: Shape the dough into three 7-inch long logs. Roll each log in the flaked coconut, coating them completely for the signature crunchy exterior.
- Chill the dough: Wrap each coconut-coated log tightly and refrigerate for several hours, ideally about 4 hours, to firm up the dough for easier slicing and better texture.
- Preheat oven: Set the oven temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and allow it to fully heat while the dough chills.
- Slice and bake: Remove the chilled dough from refrigeration and slice each log into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place the slices evenly spaced on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake and cool: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until they are thoroughly cooked. Transfer the cookies to wire racks and allow them to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- For easier slicing, make sure the dough is well chilled and firm before cutting.
- Use finely chopped candied cherries to avoid large chunks that may break the cookie shape.
- Substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if desired for a different nutty flavor.
- Ensure coconut flakes are unsweetened if you want to control the sweetness of the cookies.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week for freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 60 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: 25 mg
