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Santa’s Whiskers Cookies are a shortbread cookie with candied fruit, nuts and coconut to make a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays! Easy to make ahead too.
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I first tasted these Santa’s Whiskers Cookies at a cookie exchange almost 20 years ago! I used to be part of a women’s club when we first moved to our new neighborhood. It was a new subdivision development so the women’s club was a great way to get to know my neighbors. And since I love to bake, I took advantage of any opportunity to join in on a cookie exchange. A few years later I was hosting them myself or participating in cookie exchanges through my local MOMS Club.
First of all, I thought the name, Santa’s Whiskers Cookies was such a cute name and sounded perfect for our holiday baking! I love how festive they are with the chopped red and green candied cherries. They are slightly sweet like a shortbread. With the addition of coconut around the edges to create Santa’s Whiskers that makes these a perfect choice for any holiday cookie platter. And here’s a tip: they are also great with a cup of tea or hot cocoa!
After that first taste of these cookies, soon these Santa’s Whiskers Cookies became my staple holiday cookie go-to at future cookie exchanges. I originally shared this recipe here on Meal Planning Magic over six years ago but since they are still one of my all-time favorites I wanted to share the recipe again today.
The dough mixes up quickly. You can find the candied cherries in the seasonal baking aisle of most grocery stores. Since the dough does require chilling for several hours, it’s easy to make these ahead of time and bake up later. Sometimes I’ll just freeze the dough rolls and pull them out thaw then bake up fresh when I’ve got an occasion to serve them. Don’t forget to label the dough in the foil! Use a serrated knife to make slicing the cookies easier and less likely to squash! I usually sprinkle the coconut on the foil and then roll the cookie dough log in the coconut. Makes for less mess and it’s easier too!
I hope you’ll give these a try!
Santa’s Whiskers Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup candied red and green cherries finely chopped
- ⅓ cup pecans finely chopped
- ¾ cup shredded coconut I prefer unsweetened coconut when I can find it
Instructions
Make the Dough
- Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
- Add the sugar and beat till combined.
- Beat in milk and vanilla till combined.
- Beat in as much of the flour as you can.
- Stir in remaining flour.
- Stir in cherries and pecans.
Chill the Dough
- Shape into two 8-inch-long loaves. Roll loaves in coconut. Wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper; chill 2-24 hours.
Bake The Cookies
- Heat oven to 375°F.
- Cut loaves into ¼-inch-thick slices.
- Place slices 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or till edges are golden. Transfer cookies to wire racks and cool.
To Store
- Place in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container; cover.
- Store at room temperature up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.
Miranda
There is just all kinds of goodness in these cookies, I love shortbread!
Laurie
These look fun! I don’t think I have ever had them…something new for me to try for the holidays!
Kita
I have really grown to love shortbread based cookies – something I don’t think my 5, 10 or 15 year old self would have ever imagined. I have never had Santa’s Whiskers cookies but I have heard of them before and can’t wait to try them this year.
Helen
those look delisious! & so Christmaseee, is that a word LOL LOLthis may have a to be a new one for this year
Lisa
Oh these are so delicious…I forgot all about them:-) I remember that cookie exchange…oh so many years ago. Just found the recipes that I had saved from it! Thanks for sharing and bringing back fun memories!
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Hey Lisa! Yes, it was a long ago MOMS Club exchange that I brought them too. So glad to remind you of those fun memories too! I miss our MOMS Club cookie exchanges…. 🙂
Heather
I LOVE these cookies. They bring back such good memories of my childhood! My grandma made cookies every year for christmas and these were always on the tray. I don’t even like candied cherries but for some reason they just work in this recipe.
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
Glad to bring back good memories for you! I’m with you though…not normally a big fan of candied fruit in general but these DO totally work in these cookies. Enjoy!
Jenna
I love the idea of filling the freezer with goodies that you can pull out during those crazy days ahead . . . now if I could just get myself to actually BAKE something, that would be a start! =)
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
LOL! Well, I’m like you, I always had good intentions (and talked the talk way more than I walked the walk!) but this year, hosting this blog hop, has forced me to get in gear. I’m looking forward to enjoying the benefits in a month or two which will hopefully keep me motivated for years to come.
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
I love how festive these look! My 4-year old would love anything with “Santa” in the title. We’ll have to give these a try this season!
Tracy
Oh these are so fun, even the name of them!! I’ll have to add these to my list this year!
Sarah
These are new to me; I am definitely giving them a try. Thanks for sharing this receipe.
Meal Plan Mom (Brenda)
You are welcome Sarah! Let me know how you like them and/or leave a rating here too. Enjoy!