Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

santa’s whiskers cookies

Recipe by
Fran Miller
Parkersburg, WV

TerryAnn makes these delightful slice & bake cookies to share as gifts at Christmas. She gave me permission to post this recipe in my JAP Kitchen so I would be able to share the recipe when I brag about her cookies. =^..^=

yield serving(s)
prep time 15 Min
cook time 15 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For santa’s whiskers cookies

  • 2/3 c
    white sugar
  • 1 1/2 stick
    softened salted butter
  • 1
    egg
  • 1 1/2 tsp
    vanilla extract
  • 2 c
    a/p flour
  • 3/4 c
    chopped candied cherries (***see note in step 3.)
  • 1 c
    shredded coconut
  • OPTIONS
  • some
    almond extract, in place of some or all of the vanilla extract
  • some
    pistachios, walnuts, or pecans, finely chopped
  • IF YOU ADD CHOPPED NUTS, USE LESS CHOPPED CHERRIES SO THE MIX-INS STILL TOTAL 3/4 CUP.

How To Make santa’s whiskers cookies

  • 1
    Using a mixer, cream the sugar and butter until light. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until mixed.
  • 2
    Slowly add the flour and mix until well-combined.
  • 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.
  • 4
    Divide the dough in half and shape each half into an 8 inch log.
  • 5
    Roll the logs in coconut on the sides and gently press into the dough.
  • 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.
  • 7
    When it’s time to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • 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.
  • 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.)
  • 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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