Santa's Whiskers

Recipe from Robin Olson, author of The Cookie Party Cookbook.

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 teaspoons for coating the cherries
1 1/2 cups red and green candied cherries, quartered
3/4 cup pecans, chopped
2 cups sweetened flaked coconut

Directions:

Using an electric mixer, combine the butter, granulated sugar, confectioners' sugar, egg and vanilla in large bowl, beat well. Gradually add the flour and continue beating until well blended. In a small bowl, coat the cherries with 2 teaspoons of flour. Stir cherries and pecans into the dough. Shape dough into 3 or 4 logs, using wax paper. Roll each log in the flaked coconut. Wrap tightly, and refrigerate until firm, 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cut logs into 1/4-inch slices with a sharp knife. Place the slices 1 inch apart, on the lined baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes, or until edges are very lightly browned. Transfers to wire racks to cool.

Yield: 5 dozen