Description
Santa’s Whiskers Cookies are delightful holiday treats featuring buttery cookie dough blended with vibrant red candied cherries and crunchy pecans, coated in flaky coconut. These festive cookies are perfect for sharing during the holiday season and offer a perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
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 mixing bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter until creamy. Add 1 cup granulated sugar and continue beating until the mixture is fluffy. Mix in 2 tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Incorporate dry ingredients and mix-ins: Gradually add 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, beating until well combined. Stir in the finely chopped 1 cup red candied cherries and 1/2 cup chopped pecans evenly throughout the dough.
- Form the cookie rolls: Shape the dough into three 7-inch long rolls. Roll each log in 1 cup flaked coconut, pressing lightly to coat the surface.
- Chill the dough: Wrap each coconut-coated roll tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to firm up, making it easier to slice.
- Preheat the oven: Set the oven temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking.
- Slice and bake: Remove chilled dough from the refrigerator and slice each roll into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place slices on an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them adequately to allow spreading.
- Bake the cookies: Bake for 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and cookies are set.
- Cool the cookies: Transfer the baked cookies to wire racks and allow them to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- For a crunchier texture, toast the pecans lightly before adding them to the dough.
- Use a sharp knife chilled in the freezer to make slicing the cold dough easier and neater.
- You can substitute red candied cherries with dried cranberries for a tart variation.
- If you prefer, lightly grease the cookie sheet to prevent any sticking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 40 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
