Want to make Santa Claus happy Christmas Eve? Place a plate full of Santa's Whiskers Cookies out with a glass of milk and see what he leaves under the tree for good little boys and girls this year!
What Are Slice & Bake Cookies?
Slice & bake cookies are also known as refrigerator cookies. It's an easy, almost lazy way to bake cookies, because they can be made ahead and forgotten until baking day! Basically, the cookie dough is made with or without goodies (dried fruit, seeds and chopped nuts and mini chocolate chips) and rolled into logs before rolling in nuts, coconut, seeds or sprinkles. Then the cookie dough logs get wrapped and either refrigerated or frozen depending on the recipe's directions. When the time comes to bake the cookies, the dough is removed from the fridge or freezer, unwrapped, cut into slices and baked. What could be easier than that?
Santa's Whiskers Cookie Recipe
- 1 1/4 cups butter, softened (2 1/2 sticks)
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 teaspoons milk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup candied red and/or green cherries, chopped small
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped fine
- 1 cup flaked sweetened coconut or holiday sprinkles
Directions: How To Make Santa's Whiskers
- In a large mixing bowl, preferably with an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add milk and vanilla, beat again and scrape bowl.
- With mixer on low speed, add flour one cup at a time and beat after each addition.
- Add candied cherries and chopped pecans and mix on low speed or by hand with a wooden mixing spoon. Mix only until well incorporated.
- Shape into logs approximately 2" in diameter. Roll in coconut or sprinkles, pressing into the dough to make sure it sticks. Roll the logs in parchment paper or plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a silpat liner and give them a light spray with vegetable shortening.
- Unwrap logs and slice into 1/4" thick slices. Place cookies on prepared cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until very light brown and the sides are slightly firm.
- Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes before transferring cookies to a wire rack. Cool completely before storing in air tight containers.
- Makes approximately 75 Santa's Whiskers depending on size.
More Christmas Cookies!
Classic Shortbread Cookies - Tastes just like the famous Scottish Walkers Shortbread Cookies. These are classic Christmas cookies at their finest!
Soft Sugar Cookies- Soft & buttery, melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookie rolled in red and green sugar or holiday sprinkles.
Thumbprint Cookies with Raspberry Jam - With their bright red raspberry jam center, these festive Thumbprint cookies will liven up every Christmas cookie platter.
Mexican Wedding Cakes - Sometimes called Pecan Butter Balls or Russian Teacakes, these snow-white are made with ground pecans and rolled in powdered sugar.
Cherry Kisses Cookies - Pink and pretty with a Hershey's Kiss on top! Lots of color for Christmas cookie platters!
Donna Diegel - Donna Diegel is an experienced baker and published author with more than 25 years of experience in the food industry.
