When I created these Gingerbread Yule Log cookies I was looking to invent a holiday cookie recipe that would be a unique addition to my holiday baking tray and something that would stand out from the usual shortbread and lemon square suspects. It's since become our favorite Christmas cookie!
Who knew that gingerbread, Nutella and lime make such a great trio? These flavors really do perfectly balance each other in this delicious holiday cookie. It's like a mini bûche de noël, in the form of a gingerbread cookie! This soft gingerbread cookie recipe was also featured in 2015's "Taste of Home Magazine's Special Collectors Edition: The Ultimate Cookie Swap"
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There was a time in my life when I thought I didn't like gingerbread, which is funny, considering how many gingerbread recipes I have on this blog.
🥘 Ingredients
When I was a kid, I found most gingerbread too spicy and break-tooth hard. But then I discovered gingerbread without molasses or cloves! Cloves have a very strong, spicy and unique flavor and I'm not the biggest fan, so I don't add them to my gingerbread. The same goes for molasses- it can give gingerbread a really heavy taste. Gingerbread without molasses or cloves is a lot smoother and lighter! And if I do use molasses in any of my gingerbread recipes, I use it sparingly.
The addition of lime and Nutella elevate the flavor of this gingerbread to an entirely new level. So if you're looking for festive Nutella Filled Cookies, then you have come to the right place!
For this recipe, you'll also need:
- flour
- cinnamon
- ginger
- salt
- baking powder
- light corn syrup
- light brown sugar
- margarine
- fresh lime
- cream cheese
- Nutella
- confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar)
- Jumbo Holly Mix Sprinkles (affiliate link)
See recipe card for amounts
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Margarine - you can substitute unsalted butter
- Lactose-free - use lactose-free cream cheese and vegan margarine
🔪 Instructions (assembly)
- Chill the cookie dough until it is easy to handle (10 – 15 minutes approximately). Roll the dough out to ⅛ inch thickness on parchment paper (do NOT use wax paper, as it will melt). Trim to large rectangle (about 10”X 5 or 6”)- you should get 3 of these rectangles. Trim the edges so it’s a neat rectangle. Squeeze the juice from the lime and set aside. Finely grate the lime and add the zest of the lime to the Nutella. Spread lime zest/Nutella mixture onto each rectangle of the dough, dividing between the 3 rectangles (but thin out as you come to the edges).
- Start at the long end of log and roll up, as you would a jelly roll.
- Continue to roll it all the way up. It will crack as you roll, but don't worry, as this adds to the 'log' look.
- Roll until you have a long log. Keep the 'seam side' down.
- Cut each large log into about 4 smaller logs.
- Etch lines in cookies with the front and back of a butter knife to look like tree bark.
*See recipe card for full instructions
🍽Equipment
You will need a parchment paper, a baking sheet, a cutting board, a rolling pin and a butter knife. A serving platter (affiliate link) also comes in handy.
💭 Top tip
These make a great edible holiday gift for the holiday season. Put them in a festive cookie tin, (affiliate link) lined with wax paper and tie a ribbon around them. They are also ideal for a Christmas Cookie Exchange!
My Candy Cane Hot Chocolate in a Jar also makes a great edible gift to go along with these gingerbread cookies!
👪Serving Size
This Yule Log Cookies recipe makes 12 cookies. However, you can half, double or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🌡️Storage
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a day, but then moved to the fridge for up to 3 additional days.
- This recipe freezes well for up to 4 months. *Note: if you freeze them, you're best to add the jumbo holly sprinkles after they are defrosted or the colors will run.
Hard gingerbread is fine if you need to build structures like gingerbread houses (such as this HUGE Gingerbread Condo I built a few years ago) or a strong gingerbread dough for decorating gingerbread men with kids. And although that recipe is tough enough for a gingerbread house, it's still delicious! Again, it contains no cloves or molasses. But when it comes to cookies, gingerbread shouldn't be that hard. I have managed to make a soft gingerbread cookie. What a difference! In fact, I fell in love with gingerbread after this. I even created a Gingerbread Board on Pinterest if you are interested-it is all things gingerbread!
And if YOU love gingerbread, check out:
And for another easy Christmas cookie recipe for your baking tray, try these 4 ingredient Whipped Shortbread Cookies!
So if you are looking for easy and unique holiday baking recipes for an edible gift, an original holiday cookie exchange contribution or cookies for your holiday baking tray, these Nutella filled Gingerbread Yule Log Cookies (without molasses) are ideal Christmas cookies!
⭐ Reviews
Did you make this yule log cookie recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!
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📋 Gingerbread Yule Log Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ⅓ cup flour
- ½ tablespoon cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ cups light corn syrup
- ⅔ cups packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup margarine
- 1 lime
- ½ cup cream cheese
- ½ cup Nutella (hazelnut and chocolate spread)
- ¾ cups powdered sugar
Decoration:
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F/175 degrees C. Line a standard baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Stir the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Combine light corn syrup, light brown sugar and margarine in a large saucepan. Stir constantly over low heat until margarine is melted.
- Stir the liquid into the flour mixture, then add the cream cheese. Mix well with a spoon, then using hands as dough becomes stiff.
- Chill the dough until it is easy to handle (10 – 15 minutes approximately). Roll the dough out to ⅛ inch thickness on parchment paper. Trim to large rectangle (about 10”X 5 or 6”)- you should get 3 of these rectangles. Trim the edges so it’s a neat rectangle.
- Squeeze the juice from the lime and set aside. Finely grate the lime and add the zest of the lime to the Nutella.
- Spread lime zest/Nutella mixture onto each rectangle of the dough, dividing between the 3 rectangles (but thin out as you come to the edges).
- Start at the long end and roll up, as you would a jelly roll.
- Continue to roll it all the way up. It will crack as you roll, but don't worry, as this adds to the 'log' look.
- Roll until you have a long log. Keep the 'seam side' down.
- Cut each large log into about 4 smaller logs.
- Etch lines in cookies with the front and back of a butter knife to look like bark on log.
- Bake for approximately 15-18 minutes or until lightly brown on the bottom.
- Move to a wire rack to cool for 5- 10 minutes.
Make the glaze:
- Mix together the powdered sugar and reserved lime juice. Put the glaze into a ziplock bag and cut a small opening in one corner. Drizzle the glaze over the cookie logs in strips going from each short end to the other, along the length of the cookie.
Garnish:
- Place 2-3 pieces of the holly candy leaves and 3 berries on top of log. Let harden before serving.
- Serve on a Christmas themed serving plate!
dagmarchanshawca
Y u m m y . . just what i was looking to add to my Christmas baking repetoir :o)
Food Meanderings
Thanks, Dagmar! They do make the tray look very festive - I hope you like them! 🙂