santa’s whiskers cookies

How To Make santa’s whiskers cookies

• Step 1
  Using a mixer, cream the sugar and butter until light. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until mixed.
• Step 2
  Slowly add the flour and mix until well-combined.
• Step 3
  Gently fold in the chopped cherries (and chopped nuts, if using). ***Note. Maraschino cherries from a jar can be used in this recipe, but dry them off well after chopping to keep the cookies from turning pink.
• Step 4
  Divide the dough in half and shape each half into an 8 inch log.
• Step 5
  Roll the logs in coconut on the sides and gently press into the dough.
• Step 6
  Wrap each log in waxed paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours. The cookie dough will keep 3 days in the fridge, if wrapped tightly.
• Step 7
  When it’s time to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Step 8
  Use parchment paper to line 2 cookie sheets. Slice each log into 12 equal cookies and place one dozen cookies on each baking sheet.
• Step 9
  Bake at 350°F. for 12-15 minutes until set and barely brown around the edges. (I prefer mine a little lighter, but set.)
• Step 10
  Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then remove to wire racks to finish cooling. Store in covered containers. These cookies also freeze well in log form or as cookies, if they are wrapped well.
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