Santa’s Whiskers scrumptious cookie recipe, loaded with chewy cherries and crispy coconut, will delight shortbread cookie lovers, including Santa himself!
First, I have to make a confession: we’re a bunch of cookie lovers here at Bronner’s! In fact cookie recipes abound in our two staff cookbooks: “Bronner’s Flavorful Favorites” and “Bronner’s Flavorful Favorites, Book 2.” From almond crescents to snickerdoodles to gingerbread cookies, we have flavors for all tastes!
Personally, I’m a fan of shortbread so Santa’s Whiskers scrumptious cookie recipe caught my eye in “Bronner’s Flavorful Favorites, Book 2.” However, I had never made shortbread before. So when I didn’t see an egg in the recipe, I wasn’t sure what to do. Turns out shortbread traditionally does not have an egg or leavening agent in the recipe. Instead, traditional shortbread recipes rely on butter to bind the ingredients and create shortbread’s signature crumbly texture. However, some modern variations may include eggs to make the cookies richer, chewier, or more pliable, although this isn’t authentic.
Anyway, I decided to opt for adding an egg. The cookies were delicious. Next time, I’ll make them without an egg for comparison. No doubt, I’ll love them either way!
Drumroll, please! Santa’s Whiskers Scrumptious Cookie Recipe!
Santa’s Whiskers
Equipment
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 electric mixer
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 knife for chopping cherries and slicing dough rolls
- wax paper or clear plastic wrap
- ungreased cookie sheet(s)
- parchment paper for rolling dough in coconut
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 c. butter
- 1 c. sugar
- 2 T. milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla or rum flavoring
- 2 1/2 c. flour
- 3/4 c. red or green candied cherries, finely chopped
- 1/2 c. pecans, finely chopped
- 3/4 c. flaked coconut
Instructions
- In mixing bowl cream together butter and sugar.
- Blend in milk and vanilla or rum flavoring.
- Stir in flour, chopped candied cherries and chopped nuts.
- Form dough into two 8-inch rolls.
- Roll each in flaked coconut to coat outside. Wrap in wax paper of clear plastic wrap and chill thoroughly.
- Cut into 1°/4-inch slices; place on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake at 375 degrees about 12 minutes or until edges are golden.
Serving Santa’s Whiskers Cookies to … Santa!
No doubt, you’ll want to share these buttery treats with your family and friends. But don’t forget to save a few for the guy who inspired them – Santa!
Since we wanted to make him feel at home, we set a pretty little table next to a comfy chair. Then we added a festive glow to Santa’s treat table with a beautiful ceramic Christmas tree with lights. Next, we added our Precious Moments milk and cookies plate and cup set, complete with milk and Santa’s Whiskers cookies! And to brush off wayward cookie crumbs and dab away a milk mustache, we included a coordinating napkin.
Welcome, Santa! (And cookie lovers of all ages!)