Back in the day, my friend used to host a cookie exchange party every year. Everyone would bring about 40-50 cookies and the recipe printed out on an index card. Each person would get to take 2 of each type of cookie as well as the recipe for each cookie. It was an awesome party and it's something I miss doing each year. I am ecstatic to tell you all, however, that through December 24th, I will be hosting a virtual, vegan version of this cookie swap party, with tons of guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers. Keep checking back to see who brings what type of cookie!
When I first started to get to know Gabby, from The Veggie Nook, she mentioned to me that she "may or may not have thrown an Arrested Development theme party,", which caused me to ask the person nearest to me (which happened to be my dog) "Why does Canada have to be so dang far away?" From that point on, I began to follow The Veggie Nook regularly and what I fell in love with is Gabby's calm and peaceful demeanor as well as her passion to help people live a healthy plant-based lifestyle. I always learn something new from Gabby. Even things that I struggled to commit to memory while studying nutrition in college, she finds ways to make them simple to understand and easy to use in everyday life. Gabby also always puts the most creative, "out-of-the-box" spins on her recipes which leave me wondering "Why didn't I think of that?" The cookies that Gabby has brought to the party today are no exception- I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
i feel so honoured to have been asked by kristy to participate in this cookie swap. kristy is a blogger who i have so much respect for- her recipes are out of control amazing, her site is beautiful and she never fails to deliver words of wisdom, guidance and strength. i often finish reading her posts filled with a wonderful feeling of hope and warmth. i feel so lucky to have gotten to know her through the blogging world. so of course when she invited me to bring some cookies to share, i had to say yes!
every family has a cookie that just has to be made at christmas. for some, it’s the classic sugar cookie, decorated meticulously with multi-coloured icing, or maybe it’s the oh-so seasonal gingerbread or something of the peppermint and chocolate persuasion. but for me, it’s a much more simple and unassuming cookie that launches me into holiday mode. the scent and taste of it simply screams christmas to me. it’s the nutmeg log.
in case you’ve never had the pleasure of tasting a nutmeg log for yourself, it is like a cross between a shortbread and sugar cookie, spiced with nutmeg and topped with a simple frosting (often kicked up with rum) and sprinkled with more nutmeg. they’re shaped to look like logs with lines drawn in the icing to look like bark
the tradition of this cookie started with my mom, who first made them when she was around my age. she remembered how she found solace and comfort in carefully shaping them when she was going through a difficult time. i myself have received similar comfort from these treasures and thus they will always have a special place in my heart.
the original recipe i got this from comes from a page torn out of a magazine years and years ago, but i’ve adapted it to make it vegan and healthy! but just because it’s healthy and free of butter, eggs and refined sugar, does not mean these are not delicious! the cookie itself is made with whole oat flour instead of white for a whole-grain, gluten-free treat and the sugar is replaced by coconut sugar making them low-glycemic! using coconut oil instead of butter, these simply melt in your mouth. the icing is made with cashews and coconut butter for a rich and creamy topping loaded with healthy fats and protein. finally, the taste of nutmeg in the cookie and sprinkled on top ignites your taste buds, giving these an almost egg-nog flavour. except of course without all those eggs 😉
and the scent coming from the oven as these bake is ridiculous- it’s so difficult to wait for these to cool before icing them! they fill your house with a lovely rich, spicy scent that is perfect for the holiday season. and looking cute as these do, how could you not make them?
Ingredients
- 2 2/3 cups oat flour
- 2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 cup coconut oil
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar
- 4 tbsp applesauce + 1 tbsp ground flax, mixed together
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup soaked cashews
- 1/4 cup almond milk/rice milk
- 1/4 cup coconut butter, softened
- 2 tbsp coconut nectar/brown rice syrup
- 3/4 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 - 1 1/2 tsp rum extract (i didn’t add this time)
- nutmeg for sprinkling
Instructions
- soak cashews overnight or for 8 hours.
- preheat oven to 350f. stir together the flour, nutmeg and salt.
- cream together the butter and coconut sugar, gradually adding the sugar until fluffy. stir in the applesauce-flax mixture and vanilla.
- add the flour mixture in 3 parts, stirring to incorporate fully each time.
- on a lightly floured surface, shape with hands by rolling pieces of dough into long ropes 1/2-inch in diameter. cut ropes into 3-inch lengths. place 1-inch apart on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheets and bake for 12-15 min or until brown on the bottom. remove to racks to cool.
- make the frosting: blend cashews with other ingredients (except nutmeg) until smooth.
- spread frosting on each of the cooled cookies and mark each with the tines of the fork to resemble bark. sprinkle with nutmeg.
- store in the fridge. when in the fridge the icing hardens and when brought to room temperature the icing will soften. keep this in mind in case you’re transporting them. these also freeze very well!
hope you all enjoy these cookies and wishing you all the happiest holidays!
Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back Saturday to see who our next special guest is and what they bring to the party! Thank you so much, Gabby, for sharing these family favorites!
Be sure to check out the rest of the cookies at the party:
Caitlin
wow, what an original cookie! i love the flax with applesauce- i will definitely have to try that! and the frosting has no powdered sugar....whhhhat? these look delicious, gabby!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
flax with applesauce is such a great binder and the frosting is so rich and just sweet enough- no need for the powdered sugar 🙂 Thanks Caitlin!
keepinitkind
I know- I am all OVER that frosting! 🙂
Annie
Oh, those look wonderful! A cookie with frosting...sigh...
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Thanks Annie! Why does frosting just make everything better 😉
keepinitkind
You have to have at least one this time of year! 🙂
Lou
Oh these sound amazing! I love nutmeg, and will ALWAYS go for a cookie with frosting over any other - yeah, I LOVE frosting - particularly healthy vegan frosting!
keepinitkind
All that nutmeg does sound heavenly, doesn't it? 🙂
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Thanks Lou! Frosting is just the best 🙂
Courtney Jones
The frosting looks delicious! I almost licked my screen. *haha* That would have been gross. But honestly, these cookies look amazing 🙂
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Hahaha thanks Courtney. You'll just have to make the frosting for yourself 😉
keepinitkind
They really do, don't they. And if you decided to lick your screen- I wouldn't judge. 🙂
Veggie V! @ Veggie V's Vegan Adventure
These look super yummy! The frosting...mmmmm....Wonder if I could cut the recipe down by 3/4? 60 cookies is WAY too many for just me. Ok, it's not, but if I make 60 cookies, I'll eat 60 cookies! Or, I'll make 10 GIANT cookies 😉 But, a dozen or so wouldn't be so bad...
Gabby @ the veggie nook
I know this recipe halves perfectly, so I don't see why cutting it down another 1/2 wouldn't work 🙂 I like making at least a half batch though then freezing some- they freeze very well and can be enjoyed straight from the freezer!
Glad you like the recipe and let me know what you think!
keepinitkind
I like your thinking! 😉
Somer
Oh my goodness Gabby! These looks absolutely heavenly. The icing is such an incredible idea! Love, love, love. Kristy, your cookie party is turning out to be smashing!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Thanks Somer 🙂 So glad you like them! I am loving this cookie swap!
keepinitkind
Thank you- I'm so amazed with what all of you are coming up with! Can't wait to do it again next year! 🙂
Richa`
this cookie party keeps getting more and more amazing! love that creamy frosting!
keepinitkind
I know, right?! All of you are so incredible!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Thank you Richa! I love a frosting that's creamy and decadent more than sugary sweet !
Heather
These are just as adorable as Gabby!!! Gabby is so sweet I too find myself filled with knowledge in a way I can remember after leaving her site...I LOVE when she shares her thoughts on products, i have never been steered wrong (LOVE my move grown granola!!) - great recipe and so healthy! xo
keepinitkind
Couldn't have said it better myself. 🙂
Kate
Excited to be making these cookies for a christmas in july party today! however I noticed what might be a discrepancy in the recipe? forgive me if i'm wrong, but the cookie ingredients list 1 cup of coconut oil, but the directions say "cream together the butter and coconut sugar"... assuming this might be referencing "coconut butter", i think the only place coconut butter is listed is under the frosting ingredients? any clarity on this would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
Heather @TheSoulfulSpoon
Oh these are awesome! THANKS FOR SHARING! YUM:)