Prep Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes | Cook Time: 14 minutes | Total Time: 4 hours | Yield: 2 dozen cookies
A Christmas Memory in Every Bite
Growing up, Christmas wasn’t complete without the sweet aroma of cookies filling our kitchen. Among all the holiday treats my grandmother made, Santa’s Whiskers Cookies held a special place at our table. These delightful slice-and-bake cookies, with their festive red and green cherries peeking through clouds of coconut “whiskers,” never failed to bring smiles to our faces. The combination of buttery dough, sweet almond flavor, and that distinctive coconut coating creates pure Christmas magic in cookie form.
Every December, I find myself reaching for this cherished recipe, knowing that these cookies will once again transform our home into a winter wonderland of sweet memories and holiday joy.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Recipe
Perfect Holiday Presentation
Santa’s Whiskers Cookies are undeniably festive with their snow-white coconut coating and colorful cherry pieces. Furthermore, they look absolutely stunning on cookie platters and make wonderful gifts for neighbors and friends.
Make-Ahead Convenience
Unlike many holiday cookies that require last-minute preparation, these beauties can be made well in advance. The cookie dough logs can be prepared days ahead and stored in the refrigerator, making holiday baking stress-free.
Foolproof Technique
Even novice bakers will achieve perfect results with this recipe. The slice-and-bake method eliminates the guesswork of rolling and cutting, ensuring uniform cookies every time.
Customizable Flavors
While the classic combination is divine, this recipe welcomes creative variations. You can easily substitute different nuts, dried fruits, or even chocolate chips to suit your family’s preferences.
Essential Ingredients
Main Cookie Components
- 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2/3 cup (133g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (63g) finely chopped maraschino cherries (mix of green and red)
- 1 cup (80g) sweetened shredded coconut, for rolling
Optional Finishing Touches
- 4-ounce white chocolate baking bar for drizzling
- Extra coconut for sprinkling
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Choose plump, colorful maraschino cherries and fresh coconut for the best results.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Creating the Perfect Cookie Dough
Step 1: Cream the Base In a large bowl using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until the mixture becomes light and creamy, approximately 2 minutes. This creaming process is crucial for achieving the perfect cookie texture.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract on high speed until fully incorporated. Remember to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing. Continue beating until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients Switch to low speed and gradually beat in the flour and salt until just combined. The cookie dough should be thick and slightly sticky at this point. Next, gently fold in the chopped cherries using low speed, mixing just until distributed throughout the dough. Avoid over-mixing, as this can turn the dough pink from the cherry juice.
Shaping and Chilling
Step 4: Form the Logs Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Using floured hands, divide the dough in half and shape each portion into an 8-inch log, approximately 2.5 inches in diameter. The measurements don’t need to be exact, but try to keep the logs uniform for even baking.
Step 5: Coconut Coating Roll each log thoroughly in the shredded coconut, pressing gently to ensure the coconut adheres well. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, though 4 hours or overnight is preferred. This chilling step is absolutely essential for clean slicing and maintaining cookie shape during baking.
Baking to Perfection
Step 6: Preparation Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats, which I always recommend for the best cookie results.
Step 7: Slice and Arrange Using a sharp knife, slice each chilled log into 12 equally thick cookies. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading.
Step 8: Bake Bake the cookies for 13-14 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Optional White Chocolate Finish
Step 9: Chocolate Drizzle If desired, melt the white chocolate in a double boiler or microwave in 15-second increments, stirring after each interval until smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled cookies and sprinkle with additional coconut if preferred. Allow the chocolate to set completely in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Holiday Presentations
Arrange these festive cookies on a beautiful platter alongside other Christmas treats like gingerbread cookies and peppermint bark. Their distinctive appearance makes them perfect conversation starters at holiday gatherings.
Gift-Giving Ideas
Pack Santa’s Whiskers Cookies in decorative tins or clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons. They make thoughtful hostess gifts or teacher appreciation presents during the holiday season.
Pairing Recommendations
These cookies pair wonderfully with hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, or a warm cup of coffee. The coconut and almond flavors also complement eggnog beautifully for adult holiday parties.
Creative Recipe Variations
Nutty Additions
Traditional Santa’s Whiskers Cookies often include chopped nuts. Consider adding 1/2 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pistachios along with the cherries for extra crunch and flavor.
Fruit Substitutions
Replace the maraschino cherries with dried cranberries, dried cherries, or even mini chocolate chips for different flavor profiles. Maintain the total add-in amount at approximately 3/4 to 1 cup.
Coating Variations
While coconut is traditional, you can experiment with finely chopped nuts, colored sugar, or even mini chocolate chips as exterior coatings for unique presentations.
Flavor Extracts
Substitute the almond extract with rum extract, coconut extract, or even a touch of orange zest for different flavor dimensions while keeping the same festive appeal.
Make-Ahead Tips
Short-Term Storage
Cookie dough logs can be prepared and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days before baking. This makes them perfect for planned holiday baking sessions or unexpected guests.
Long-Term Freezing
Both unbaked cookie dough logs and baked cookies freeze exceptionally well. Wrap dough logs tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing for up to 3 months. Baked cookies can be stored in airtight containers in the freezer for the same duration.
Thawing Instructions
When ready to bake frozen dough logs, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before slicing and baking. Frozen baked cookies should also thaw overnight in the refrigerator and can be brought to room temperature before serving.
Important Notes
Cherry Preparation
When using maraschino cherries packed in juice, lightly blot them with paper towels before or after chopping to prevent excess moisture from affecting the cookie dough consistency.
Chilling Requirements
Never skip the chilling step, as it’s mandatory for achieving clean slices and preventing cookies from spreading too much during baking. The colder the dough, the thicker and more uniform your cookies will be.
Storage Guidelines
Properly stored cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to one week. However, they’re usually enjoyed much sooner than that during the busy holiday season!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular coconut instead of sweetened shredded coconut? Sweetened shredded coconut works best for this recipe because it adheres better to the dough and provides the right texture. Unsweetened coconut can be used, but the cookies will be less sweet overall.
What if I can’t find green maraschino cherries? No problem! Use all red maraschino cherries, or substitute with chopped pistachios, green sprinkles, or dried cranberries. The key is maintaining the festive color combination.
Why did my cookie dough turn pink? This happens when the cherry juice bleeds into the dough during mixing. While it doesn’t affect the taste, you can minimize this by patting the cherries dry and mixing them in very gently.
Can I make these cookies smaller or larger? Absolutely! Adjust the log diameter and slice thickness accordingly. Just remember that smaller cookies will bake faster, while larger ones may need an extra minute or two in the oven.
How do I know when the cookies are done? Look for light golden brown edges while the centers remain slightly soft. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
Can I skip the white chocolate drizzle? Of course! The cookies are delicious without any additional decoration. The white chocolate is purely optional for those who want extra sweetness and visual appeal.
These Santa’s Whiskers Cookies bring together everything wonderful about holiday baking: they’re beautiful, delicious, and filled with the kind of festive spirit that makes Christmas memories last a lifetime. Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or starting a new one, these delightful cookies are sure to become a cherished part of your holiday celebrations.