Santa's Whiskers -- another recipe from Visions of Sugarplums

 

 Lucie commented that she was very intrigued by the recipe for Santa's Whiskers cookies I mentioned in the list from the little Visions of Sugarplums booklet.  So, just for you, Lucie, here it is.  They are the cookies at right, next to the mug, in the photo above.  It seems that the name Santa's Whiskers likely comes from the coconut topping.  

SANTA'S WHISKERS
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon each vanilla and coconut extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
3 cups shredded coconut
1 cup red and/or green candied cherries, coarsely chopped

Heat oven to 350º.  

Beat butter, sugar, egg, milk, extracts and salt in a large bowl with mixer on medium speed until blended.  (Mixture may appear curdled; don't worry.) On low speed, beat in flour until combined.  Stir in 1 cup coconut and the cherries.  

Place remaining coconut in a bowl.  Drop rounded teaspoons of dough into coconut 1 teaspoon at a time; turn each gently to coat.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 15 minutes or until coconut is toasted and cookies are set.  Cool slightly on the baking sheet on a wire rack before removing the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.  Makes 5 dozen.

Store these in an airtight container with wax paper between the layers.  May be stored at room temperature up to 1 week, in the fridge up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.