Nutmeg Logs

From IckyWiki

From A Baker's Field Guide to Christmas Cookies, by Dede Wilson (2003)

Ingredients

Cookie

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling
• 1 tbsp light or dark rum
• 1 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg

Frosting

• 6 tbsp (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 2 tsp light or dark rum
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

(Note: this will probably make too much. Try 1/2 to 3/4 recipe)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper
2. Whisk flour and salt together in a small bowl
3. In a large bowl with an electrix mixer on medium high speed, beat butter until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add granulated sugar gradually, beating until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in rum, nutmeg, and vanilla. Beat in egg. Add about one third of the flour mixture and mix on low speed. Gradually add remaining flour, mixing just until blended. Take a handful of dough at a time and shape into a log by rolling it under your palms on a sugared surface into 1/2 inch-diameter ropes. Cut ropes into 3-inch lengths. Place logs 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake until light golden brown on bottom and around edges, about 13 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, make frosting. In a medium bowl with mixer on medium high speed, beat the butter until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add confectioners' sugar, heavy cream, rum, and vanilla and beat until creamy, about 2 minutes
5. Place cookie sheets on racks to begin cooling. Immediately, while cookies are still warm, spread them with icing, using a small offset spatula (you won't need much for each; it will melt immediately). The icing, which is thick and fluffy, will melt and adhere to cookie (it will harden upon cooling, allowing you to layer these cookies in a tin or mail them, if desired). Sprinkle with nutmeg while icing is still wet. Allow cookies to cool and icing to harden before serving.