There’s something about the nostalgic charm of holiday baking that fills the kitchen with warmth—and Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe embodies that perfectly. These delightful, chewy cookies studded with bright cherries and crunchy pecans bring festive cheer in every bite.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made Santa’s Whiskers Cookies every holiday season for years, and each time, they feel like a cozy tradition. They strike a perfect balance between rich, buttery dough, sweet cherries, and a tropical hint from coconut. Honestly, they taste like the holidays wrapped up in cookie form.
- Perfect Texture: The buttery dough bakes into tender, slightly chewy slices that aren’t too soft or crunchy—just right.
- Festive Flavor Mix: Bright candied cherries and pecans add bursts of sweetness and crunch that are irresistible.
- Simple Yet Impressive: No fancy techniques or rare ingredients, just classic flavors anyone can nail.
- Great Make-Ahead Cookie: Chill the rolls ahead of time, then slice and bake fresh whenever you want.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe plays a role in building its wonderful flavor and texture. Here’s why each one is essential, plus a shopping tip or two to help you pick the best versions.
- Butter: Provides richness and tenderness; use unsalted to control the salt level better.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens without overwhelming; be sure it’s fine granulated for good mixing.
- Milk: Adds moisture for a softer bite; whole milk works best for flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the cookie’s warmth and brings all flavors together.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structure of the cookie—sift it if it’s clumpy to keep dough smooth.
- Red Candied Cherries: The festive star ingredient; dice finely so they distribute evenly and don’t dominate any bite.
- Pecans: Adds crunch and nutty flavor; toast them lightly for extra depth if you like.
- Flaked Coconut: Rolled on the outside for chewiness and that classic Santa’s Whiskers look.
Make It Your Way
I love how adaptable Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe is—after all, holiday baking should be fun and flexible. Whether you want a nut-free version or an extra boost of cherry flavor, here are a few ways I like to switch it up.
- Nut-Free Variation: Sometimes I swap pecans for sunflower seeds or just skip the nuts altogether—kids love it, and it’s allergy-friendly.
- Extra Cherry Kick: Adding a little cherry extract alongside vanilla amps up the fruity brightness, perfect if cherries are your favorite part.
- Make It Mini: Roll thinner logs and cut smaller slices for bite-sized party treats that disappear fast.
- Spiced Up: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg in the dough gives these cookies a warm twist that fills your kitchen with cozy aromas.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Soften Butter and Cream With Sugar
Start by letting your butter sit at room temperature until soft but not melting—this helps it cream up smoothly with the sugar. I just set mine out about 30 minutes ahead. Beat butter and sugar together until the mixture looks light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. It’s the secret to buttery, tender cookies!
Step 2: Add Milk and Vanilla for That Extra Moisture and Flavor
Slowly mix in the milk and vanilla extract. Don’t rush—this adds essential moisture and warms the dough’s flavor profile. A good stir here sets the base for everything else.
Step 3: Incorporate Flour, Then Fold In Cherries and Pecans
Next, add the all-purpose flour gradually, beating until the dough is smooth and combined—no big lumps. I usually stop mixing once the flour is just incorporated to avoid overworking your dough. Then fold in the finely chopped cherries and pecans by hand so they’re evenly distributed without pulverizing the fruit.
Step 4: Shape, Coat with Coconut, and Chill
Divide the dough into three equal parts, shaping each into a 7-inch log. Roll the logs in flaked coconut until fully coated for that signature “Santa’s Whiskers” look. Then, wrap each tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. This chilling step is crucial— it firms up the dough so your cookies slice neatly and keep their shape.
Step 5: Slice and Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Remove the chilled dough logs and slice them into ¼-inch thick cookies. Place slices on an ungreased baking sheet—these cookies spread minimally, so no need to grease. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are just golden. Let them cool on wire racks, and try not to sneak too many straight from the oven!
Top Tip
From years of baking Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe, I’ve learned that a few tweaks make all the difference between good cookies and truly memorable ones. These tips will help you bake confidently and enjoy the process more.
- Chill The Dough Thoroughly: Don't skip the chilling step—it prevents your logs from spreading too much and helps you get perfect slices.
- Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Especially butter—this ensures creaminess and good mixing, which affects the texture.
- Cut Even Slices: Use a sharp knife and steady pressure for uniform cookies that bake evenly.
- Watch The Bake Time: Check cookies at 10 minutes—overbaking dries them out, underbaking leaves a doughy center.
How to Serve Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple—just a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a pretty snowy feel. For a festive party, a drizzle of white chocolate looks elegant and makes these cookies extra indulgent.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a hot cup of spiced tea, eggnog, or even a rich hot chocolate. The warm drinks complement the buttery sweetness perfectly and make for a cozy holiday treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For gift-giving, I arrange the cookies in decorative tins lined with holiday-themed parchment paper. Stack with wax paper in between layers to keep them fresh. I also love serving them on rustic wooden trays surrounded by fresh pine sprigs and ornaments—it’s such a crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These cookies store wonderfully in airtight containers at room temperature for up to a week. I make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to keep them from sticking or losing their crisp edges.
Freezing
Freezing works great too—either freeze the unbaked dough logs tightly wrapped or the baked cookies in airtight bags. When I freeze the dough, I thaw in the fridge overnight before slicing and baking fresh. It’s like having holiday cookies on demand!
Reheating
If you want that fresh-baked warm feeling, pop the cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which can make them chewy or rubbery. This way, they taste just out of the oven and ready to enjoy all over again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can swap pecans for walnuts or almonds if you prefer. Toast them lightly first for the best flavor. If you have nut allergies, leave them out or use seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead.
Chilling the dough firms it up, which helps the cookies keep their shape during baking. It also helps meld the flavors together and makes slicing the logs into even cookies much easier.
Definitely! Replace the butter with a dairy-free alternative like coconut oil or vegan butter, and swap milk for almond or oat milk. The taste and texture might vary slightly, but they’ll still be delicious.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies typically stay fresh for about one week. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet, which keeps them tasty for up to three months.
Final Thoughts
Making Santa’s Whiskers Cookies Recipe always feels like a holiday hug from the kitchen. Whether you’re baking to gift or to create your own seasonal comfort, these cookies deliver every time. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, and that they become a favorite part of your festive traditions—trust me, you’ll want to bake them again and again!
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
Description
Santa’s Whiskers Cookies are festive, chewy buttery cookies studded with chopped red candied cherries and pecans, rolled in flaky coconut for a delightful texture and holiday flair. Perfect for Christmas baking and sharing.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 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
Coating
- 1 cup flaked coconut
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Add granulated sugar and continue beating until the mixture is fluffy. Then add milk and vanilla extract and beat well to combine.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Mix: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, beating until well incorporated. Gently stir in the finely chopped red candied cherries and chopped pecans.
- Shape Rolls: Divide the dough and shape into three logs, each about 7 inches in length.
- Coat with Coconut: Roll each dough log evenly in the flaked coconut until fully coated on all sides.
- Chill Dough: Wrap the coconut-coated logs tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least four hours to firm up the dough.
- Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Slice Cookies: Remove chilled dough logs from refrigerator, unwrap, and slice into ¼-inch thick slices carefully to maintain shape.
- Bake Cookies: Place the slices on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and cookies are set.
- Cool: Transfer baked cookies to wire racks and allow them to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Be sure to chill the dough thoroughly to make slicing easier and to maintain cookie shape during baking.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds based on your preference.
- For a softer coconut coating, gently press the coconut flakes onto the dough instead of rolling.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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