Our Rum-Buttered Nutmeg Logs are a luxurious, shortbread cookie covered in rum-buttered frosting and a dusting of nutmeg! The perfect holiday treat for this time of year!
The Best Rum-Buttered Nutmeg Logs
Rum-Buttered Nutmeg Logs aka “Nutmeg Logs” are a staple in our house during the holiday season. I don’t remember ever not having them. They are officially my favorite Christmas cookie, next to Ritz Cookies (they are a very close second). Now, these are Christmas perfection. And you need to have them on your table.
It is a perfect combination of a light and butter shortbread cookie that almost melts in your mouth with the butter-rum frosting with fresh ground nutmeg sprinkled on the top. It is reminiscent of taking a sip of eggnog, for whatever reason – maybe it’s the nutmeg on top. They are just simple perfection. And so unique – you most likely won’t run into other Christmas cookies quite like this, which is what I also love about them.
Looking for More Holiday Treats?
If you love them as much as we do, you definitely need to try our Peppermint Christmas Crack!
What You Will Need
- all-purpose flour: you can swap out a 1-to-1 gluten free flour if you want, it will work just fine!
- nutmeg: a warm spice that’s the star of the show!
- butter: the cookie itself is essentially a little delicious shortbread cookie … so lots of butter here!
- granulated sugar: a little bit to add the perfect touch of sweetness!
- egg: the egg acts as a binder to hold everything together.
- vanilla extract: this adds another level of sweetness.
- rum flavoring: we add this into the cookie itself and the frosting.
- powdered sugar: this added into the frosting.
- half and half/cream or dairy-free creamer: just pick-up your preferred creamer from the grocery store.
How To Make Nutmeg Logs
The first steps to making this easy recipe are to beat the butter and sugar together with an electric hand mixer or use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix to combine.
Use your hands to form the cookie dough into large disk shapes. Wrap each in wax paper and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
Now roll out the dough by using your hands to create long logs. Cut into logs into 2 1/2 inch pieces.
Place on a large baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 14-16 minutes.
While cookies are baking, make the frosting. Remove cookies from the oven and let cool before frosting. Add frosting to the top of each cookie. Use a fork to scrap the top, to make it look like the bark of a tree.
Sprinkle the tops with ground nutmeg.
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Other Recipes You Might Like
Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies
Dairy-Free Frosting
Seven Layer Bars
Dairy-Free Egg Nog
Rum-Buttered Nutmeg Logs
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Refrigeration Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: Approx. 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delicious, festive recipe for Rum-Buttered Nutmeg Logs that are perfect for cookie exchanges and sharing this holiday season!
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon rum flavoring (or 2 teaspoons rum)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Frosting:
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon rum flavoring (sub 1 teaspoon rum)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons half and half (sub dairy-free creamer (unsweetened/unflavored))
Instructions
Cookies:
- In a mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat sugar and butter until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and rum.
- Whisk together flour and nutmeg in a separate bowl. Add to the butter mixture, 1 cup at a time until mixed thoroughly.
- Remove dough from bowl and wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- When you are ready to make cookies, preheat oven to 350 degrees F and then take a small chunk of dough and warm slightly in your hands.
- Place some flour on a cutting board and roll out the dough until it is 1/2″ round. Cut into 2 1/2″ logs.
- Arrange the logs on an un-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 14-16 minutes. Cookies should be slightly brown on the bottom, not on the top. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
Frosting:
- Beat together the butter and rum (or rum flavoring).
- Add a 1/2 cup powdered sugar and beat. Add 2-3 tablespoons of half and half and beat in. Gradually add 2-3 cups powdered sugar until it reaches a spreading consistency.
- Spread frosting on each cookie and then run tines of a fork over the frosting to resemble bark. Sprinkle tops with nutmeg.
Notes
- Gluten-Free: you can make these gluten-free by using 1-to-1 gluten free flour (we like Bob’s Red Mill).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 173
- Sugar: 14.9 g
- Sodium: 4.9 mg
- Fat: 7.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 24.7 g
- Protein: 1.6 g
- Cholesterol: 25.6 mg
Originally published December 23, 2016 – updated December 11, 2021.
Stefanie T says
Made these today to switch up the same ole baking routine. These were a pleasant surprise. I used rum extract which I was skeptical about because I thought it would have a weird flavor. No weirdness here. Super delicious!! Can’t wait to make this a holiday tradition. Thank you Erin!
Erin says
Yay! So happy to hear that, Stefanie!! Thanks for coming back to leave a review – I really appreciate it!
Lauren says
The only Christmas cookie my mom made! She got it in the ‘50s. It’s the perfect cookie to make with children. We would mix the dough, roll them, cut them, and after baking frost them and dip the tops into Christmas Sprinkles, jimmies, or put red hots on top. Of course, the topping combinations got a little wild, but my mom let us be a creative as we wanted. It was just such a fun time with our family. This will be my first Christmas without my mom making these, as she died in April. This recipe will forever mean “Christmas” to me.
Erin says
Hi Lauren – thank you so much for this kind note – I am so, so sorry you lost your Mom. Hoping this recipe makes you feel close to her and I am thinking of you this holiday season!
Mary-Beth says
I made these and love them! It was hard to not eat them all!
Erin says
These are a family favorite around here! So glad you enjoyed them!
Christine says
My grandma (dad’s mom) use to make these every Christmas and since she passed, I’ve been carrying on the tradition. Unfortunately, this Christmas we’re between housing and living with family (mom’s side) and my recipe is in storage, but thankfully your recipe looks almost exactly the same! They are an absolute family favorite and I’m so glad to have found your recipe! It’ll help bring some comfort and holiday cheer during a tumultuous time, thanks!
Erin says
That makes my day to hear, Christine!! They are a beloved family tradition in our house as well and I look forward to making (and eating) them every year! Glad they brought you a slice of happiness!!
Marilyn says
My mom got the recipe about 50 + years ago in the mail…it was a recipe that came from the “county home extension “ office (where all good home economics teachers end up!😂) inside the envelope with the utility bill. We love it, and have made it every year since…although our recipe calls for rolling the logs on a SUGARED board, which we MUCH prefer! ❤️
Erin says
I love that, Marilyn! This is a family favorite in our house too!
Phyllis says
I have made nutmeg logs for as long as I can remember along with Mexican wedding cookies. This Christmas I taught my grandson to make the nutmeg logs hoping he will carry the tradition forward. Phyllis, Murrells Inlet, SC
Erin says
Hi Phyllis! I absolutely LOVE that! I love food traditions!
Pat says
Got recipe from my Grandma about 20 years ago. Was a special Christmas treat from her. Never knew where she got the recipe or if it was from her German cookbook.
Erin says
Aren’t they just the best cookies!! We have been making them ever since I can remember!
JC says
These have been a family favourite since the late 50’s and the one all friends ask me to make.
We up the rum and nutmeg in the dough. Topped with chocolate sprinkles on top of the rum icing
Erin says
That’s awesome!!! These are one of my absolute favorite Christmas treats!!
Vicki Little says
This rum log recipe has been in my family for years. A favorite. And the other cookie you mentioned has been a family staple all year round since I tasted at a baby shower about 25 years ago. These two cookies with a few Oreo truffles and that is all you need for holiday sweets. Maybe throw in some pecan tassies.
Janice Kledzik says
I can’t believe someone else has this cookie as a Christmas favorite. My Mom made these back in the 50’s from a recipe she found in a Pillsbury Cookbook. I have the book and it is a cherished reminder of my childhood. It was called “Butter Cookie Cookbook, Vol II”. They were a winner of the Pillsbury 8th Grand National Recipe and Baking Contest by Mrs. Robert J Woods, South Charleston, West Virginia. I make them every year, Merry Christmas
Erin says
Oh my gosh! That is so amazing! This has been a recipe my family has always made and I too treasure it! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas!!!
J Klein says
Mrs Robert J Woods was my son-in-law’s grandmother. He has a framed photo of her award/recipe. He makes these every Christmas and we all love them!