Description
Santa’s Whiskers Cookies are festive, buttery treat rolls studded with bright red candied cherries, crunchy pecans, and coated with sweet flaked coconut. These delightful cookies combine a soft, fluffy texture with a hint of tropical coconut, perfect for holiday celebrations or any special occasion.
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 smooth. Add granulated sugar and continue beating until the mixture is fluffy and light in color. Beat in milk and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients and mix-ins: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, beating until the dough is well mixed and consistent. Stir in finely chopped red candied cherries and pecans evenly throughout the dough.
- Shape the rolls: Divide the cookie dough and shape it into three logs, each about 7 inches long. Roll each log gently in flaked coconut to coat the outside surface completely.
- Chill the dough: Wrap the coconut-coated rolls tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to firm up the dough and enhance the flavors.
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking.
- Slice and bake: Remove the chilled rolls from the refrigerator and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices. Arrange the slices on an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies are set.
- Cool: Transfer the baked cookies onto wire racks and allow them to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to achieving a neat sliced cookie that holds its shape during baking.
- For extra texture, you can lightly toast the pecans before folding them into the dough.
- If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the sugar slightly or omit the candied cherries and use dried cranberries instead.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Flaked coconut adds both flavor and texture but can be replaced with shredded coconut if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
