Eggnog Logs

 

 Here's another of our favorite Christmas cookie recipes:  

EGGNOG LOGS 

 1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
 1 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
 

 FROSTING: 

 1/4 cup butter, softened
3 cups confectioners sugar, divided
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Tblsp. light cream (or evaporated milk or even eggnog)
Ground nutmeg 

 Cream butter and sugar in a large mixer bowl. Add nutmeg, sugar, and vanilla; mix thoroughly. Stir in flour to mix well. If necessary, chill dough for easier handling. Shape dough into logs about 3 inches long and 1/2 inch in diameter. Place logs 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks and cool completely. 

For frosting, cream butter until light and fluffy. Add 2 cups of the confectioners' sugar and the vanilla; mix well. Beat in cream and the remaining sugar. Frost cookies. With the tines of a small fork, make lines down the frosting to simulate bark. Sprinkle with nutmeg (freshly ground is wonderful). Makes 4 1/2 dozen cookies. This recipe was a winner in a Country Woman contest. It's been a favorite ever since I first tried it. The cookies are easy to make but rather time-consuming -- still, so many family members love these that I wouldn't think of not making them!