There's something truly magical about holiday baking, and Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe is one of those timeless treasures that fills your kitchen with warmth and cheer. Crispy edges, a tender center packed with festive cherries and nuts, and a coconut coating that just melts in your mouth—these cookies always bring a smile to everyone gathered around.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I'm excited to share why I keep coming back to Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe during the holidays. It’s not just the sweetness but the chewy, nutty, and fruity textures that make these cookies irresistible. Plus, they’re pretty straightforward—even for those of us who sometimes get overwhelmed by holiday baking!
- Festive Flavor Combo: The red candied cherries and pecans give these cookies a charming holiday look and delightful chew that pairs perfectly with sweet coconut.
- Simple Prep with Big Impact: Mixing, shaping, and chilling the dough is easy, making these great for baking alongside your favorite holiday traditions.
- Beautiful Presentation: Rolling the dough in coconut adds a snowy effect that’s just as fun to look at as it is to eat.
- Generous Yield: Makes enough to share generously with friends, neighbors, or your own holiday sweet tooth.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe plays a starring role, creating a delicious interplay of texture and flavor. Let’s break down the must-haves and why I think they’re key to getting the perfect batch.
- Butter: Using softened butter gives this cookie dough a rich, tender crumb and helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds the right amount of sweetness and helps with the cookie’s structure when creamed with butter.
- Milk: A little extra moisture to keep the dough smooth and pliable.
- Vanilla Extract: Classic flavor booster—never skip this unless you want a cookie that’s a little flat.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for the dough, giving it the heft needed to hold all those mix-ins.
- Red Candied Cherries: These chopped gems bring a burst of fruity sweetness and festive color to every bite.
- Pecans: Toasted or raw—they add crunch and a nutty flavor that balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Flaked Coconut: You roll the formed dough in this for texture and that snowy coating effect, plus subtle tropical notes.
Make It Your Way
I love that with Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe, you’re free to make it your own. Over the years, I’ve tweaked it here and there depending on what I have on hand or the holiday vibe I want to create.
- Variation: Once, I swapped pecans for toasted walnuts and thought it gave the cookies an earthier twist that I really enjoyed. Feel free to experiment with your favorite nuts or even add a pinch of cinnamon for a warming spice note.
- Dietary tweak: You could try using coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free option, but watch your baking time as it may brown differently.
- Flavor boost: Adding a teaspoon of almond extract along with vanilla gives these cookies an extra layer of holiday magic.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Like a Pro
Start by beating softened butter in a large bowl until it’s smooth and creamy—no lumps here! Then add the sugar and keep beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. This takes about 3 to 4 minutes if you’re using a stand mixer. Getting this stage right makes the cookies tender and gives them that lovely texture I adore.
Step 2: Add Milk and Vanilla, Then Mix in Flour
Pour in the milk and vanilla extract, beating well so everything’s fully combined. Next, gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing just until it’s incorporated. Be careful not to overmix here—you want to stop when the dough comes together to keep your cookies tender, not tough.
Step 3: Stir in Cherries and Pecans
Gently fold in the finely chopped red candied cherries and pecans. This is where your dough becomes festive and full of texture. I find chopping the cherries finely helps distribute their sweetness evenly, so you get a bit in every bite.
Step 4: Shape and Coat with Coconut
Divide the dough into three equal parts and shape each into a 7-inch log. Then roll each log generously in flaked coconut—this gives your cookies that signature "whiskers" look and adds an irresistible crunch.
Step 5: Chill, Slice, and Bake
Wrap the coconut-coated logs tightly in plastic wrap and chill them for several hours (I aim for at least 4). Chilling solidifies the dough, making it much easier to slice into thin, even rounds without crumbling. When you’re ready, preheat your oven to 375°F, cut the logs into ¼-inch thick slices, and place them on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes until just set and lightly golden on the edges. Let them cool on wire racks to finish crisping up.
Top Tip
From my experience baking Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe, a few simple tips can really elevate your results and save you from the little frustrations that come up when you’re baking holiday cookies:
- Soft Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted to help you cream it easily without greasy separation.
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip chilling — it makes all the difference for sliceability and prevents the cookies from spreading too much when baking.
- Roll Gently in Coconut: Coat the dough logs gently but thoroughly so the coconut sticks well and gives that beautiful texture and appearance.
- Watch Baking Time: Start checking at 10 minutes because overbaking can dry the cookies out—they should have lightly golden edges but still feel a little soft when you take them out.
How to Serve Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with these cookies because the coconut coating already looks so festive. But if you want to take them up a notch, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate can look beautiful and extra indulgent.
Side Dishes
Serve Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe with a hot cup of cocoa or mulled apple cider for a comforting treat. They also make a great addition to a holiday cookie platter alongside classic sugar cookies and gingerbread.
Creative Ways to Present
For gift-giving or parties, I like arranging these cookies on a festive plate lined with pine sprigs or nestled in clear cellophane bags tied with holiday ribbon. They also look delightful stacked in mason jars as edible gifts that everyone appreciates.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep my Santa’s Whiskers Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for about a week, though they tend to disappear way before that!
Freezing
If you want to make these ahead, I freeze the unbaked, shaped dough logs wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and a freezer bag. When I’m ready, I thaw them in the fridge overnight, slice, and bake fresh. This really saves time on busy days.
Reheating
Leftover cookies warm up beautifully in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to regain a bit of that fresh-baked softness without drying out.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or even hazelnuts would work great depending on your preference. Just chop them finely to keep the texture consistent.
Chilling is crucial for Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe. It firms up the dough, making it easier to slice and ensuring the cookies hold their shape during baking without spreading too much. I recommend at least 4 hours or overnight if possible.
You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just be aware that texture might change slightly, so I’d suggest testing a small batch first before making a big batch for a special occasion.
For the best texture and flavor, I recommend using red candied cherries that are finely chopped. They hold up well during baking and provide bursts of sweetness and festive color throughout the cookies.
Final Thoughts
Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe is truly close to my heart during the holidays. Each batch feels like a little celebration in the kitchen, and sharing them feels even better. If you want a cookie that’s easy to make, full of cheerful holiday flavor, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, I really encourage you to try this recipe. You’re going to love the way it fills your home with festive spirit—and the smiles it brings at the table.
Print
Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 32 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Santa’s Whiskers Cookies are festive, buttery cookies packed with chopped red candied cherries and pecans, coated in coconut for a delightful texture and flavor. These charming cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations and gift-giving.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup red candied cherries, finely chopped
- ½ cup pecans, finely chopped
- 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. Add the milk and vanilla extract, then beat again until well combined.
- Mix in dry ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, beating until well mixed. Then, stir in the finely chopped red candied cherries and chopped pecans, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Shape the dough: Form the dough into three rolls, each about 7 inches long. Roll each dough log in the flaked coconut to coat all sides thoroughly.
- Chill the dough: Wrap the coconut-coated dough rolls tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to firm up.
- Preheat the oven: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Slice and bake: Cut the chilled dough rolls into ¼ inch thick slices and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies for 12 minutes or until they are done and lightly browned around the edges.
- Cool and serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to wire racks. Let them cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- For best flavor, beat the butter and sugar until very fluffy to incorporate air into the dough.
- Chilling the dough is essential to keep the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- If you prefer, substitute walnuts for pecans for a different nutty flavor.
- Use fresh flaked coconut for a more pronounced coconut flavor, or sweetened shredded coconut if you like a sweeter coating.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 50 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
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