Christmas Logs

This recipe is from Charlie’s blog called Hotly Spiced. I’ve been saving it for a year or so, and finally decided to make these sweets, originally called Mum’s Christmas Whiskey Logs. And if you haven’t become a fan of Australian Charlie and her blog, you need to. She’s very funny, and a great storyteller. She also somehow gets away with telling stories about her kids on her blog!

So on Christmas eve, just days ago, I realized I didn’t have any plans for a dessert – a cake, pie, or some kind of sweet treat. We’re not a serious sweets family, so I tend to forget about such things. Instead I had about 30 pounds of cheese in my refrigerator.

I did post on Nigella’s Christmas rocky road bars recently, but that was a re-post from last year. So these quick and easy Christmas logs from Charlie were a perfect choice!

The recipe for the base of the logs is very similar to my ginger spice truffle balls – butter and gingerbread cookie crumbs mixed with goodies and chilled. In fact, the recipe for this “dough” could be made into balls as well. But Charlie’s mum coats the logs in chocolate, which is a lovely addition, and the log slices quite pretty and festive.

The only change I made is the whiskey. None of us is a huge whiskey fan in our family, except for my son-in-law. We’ve tried, mind you. We even visited the famous distilleries in Scotland and Ireland. But it’s hard for me to even smell the stuff. So, I opted for spiced rum. No huge change.

So thank you, Charlie’s mum, for this recipe. I love that it can be changed up with various fruits and chocolates, crystallized ginger, and even nuts, if desired. I’ve typed the recipe as it is on her blog. Cheers!

Mum’s Christmas Whiskey Logs
from Hotly Spiced

400 grams plain biscuits (I used shortbread cookies)
125 grams butter, softened
1 cup icing sugar (confectioner’s sugar or powdered sugar)
1 large egg
1/2 cup whiskey, I used spiced rum
200 grams dried fruit, I used 150 grams of dried cranberries
100 grams chocolate chips* (I used 150 grams chocolate chips)
100 grams glacéed cherries, halved
200 grams dark chocolate**, I could only find semi-sweet

Crush biscuits and set aside. I used a food processor for this step.

Beat butter and sugar until pale and creamy.

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Add the egg and beat until smooth.

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Add the whiskey/rum and beat slightly.

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Then add the chocolate and fruit mixture.

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Then add the processed cookies.

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Using a wooden spoon, mix everything together.

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Get out 6 pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper.

Place approximately 1/6 of the batter onto a piece of plastic wrap.

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Work it, using both sides of the plastic wrap, until a log shape is formed, and roll up, sealing the ends.

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Continue with the rest of the batter, and refrigerate the logs overnight, or at least for four hours. They should be cold and firm before continuing with the recipe. You should have 6 logs, each approximately 6″ long.

This is what the logs looked like before I coated them with chocolate.

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Place chocolate in a double boiler, and slowly melt it. I remember reading in a cookbook once, perhaps one by Alice Medrich, that you’re not trying to cook the chocolate, simply melt it. Words to live by.

Then however is easiest for you, somehow spread the melted chocolate on the logs. Charlie suggests that it’s best to do one “side” of the logs, refrigerate them for a bit, then do the other side.

Now, Charlie and her Mum must be chocolatiers, because I had a horrible time doing this. You can tell in the following photo.

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And also, I would recommend twice the amount of chocolate for this last part. There were two logs that I wasn’t able to coat in chocolate at all.

Once the logs are refrigerated well, remove them from the fridge, trim the ends, unless yours look nice, and make slices, approximately 1/4″ wide, for serving.

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The chocolate kept breaking off in pieces as well when I was slicing the logs.

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But I have to say, they were very popular.

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The next time I might turn the “dough” into balls, and dip them in chocolate, because the chocolate really does add something to these treats!

*Mini chocolate chips might be smarter; they would aid in neater slicing of the logs.

**Unless you’re really good working with chocolate, I would suggest 400 grams of chocolate.

By Published On: December 29th, 201434 Comments on Christmas Logs

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

34 Comments

  1. sallybr December 29, 2014 at 8:23 AM - Reply

    Love her blog too, so cool that you got to pick one of her recipes to feature and in such a special occasion!

    • chef mimi December 29, 2014 at 9:04 AM - Reply

      I’ve held on to her recipe for at least a year! It’s good!

  2. DellaCucinaPovera December 29, 2014 at 9:44 AM - Reply

    I bet spiced rum was even better with the dried fruit :)
    Merry Everything, Mimi!

  3. apuginthekitchen December 29, 2014 at 10:03 AM - Reply

    Really simple to make and very festive. I like the spiced rum instead of whiskey, not a fan either.

  4. Ema Jones December 29, 2014 at 11:43 AM - Reply

    The yummzz is all here. I loved these logs, perfect for Christmas!

    • chef mimi December 29, 2014 at 1:59 PM - Reply

      Thank you Ema!

      • Ema Jones December 29, 2014 at 11:49 PM

        Hey Mimi,
        Was going through your blog and juz loved your section, “recipes fall winter”.
        I’m definitely gonna try, “Foriana sauce”.
        Homemade is always good. Cheers :)

      • chef mimi December 30, 2014 at 11:08 AM

        Oh my god, that is the best stuff ever. I’ve still never seen it in any other cookbooks, but it’s Italian. Fabulous.

      • Ema Jones December 30, 2014 at 11:07 PM

        My craving for Italian food is irresistible!

  5. ladyredspecs December 29, 2014 at 4:06 PM - Reply

    I used to loathe whiskey too then my daughter taught me how to drink it without suffering the hot spiritous burn in the nose or on the palate, I have a wee dram before bed each night now. The temperature of both the whiskey and the glass is important. I think your idea of rolling the mixture into ball and dipping them is sensible, or alternatively rolling them in unsweetened cocoa powder would work well too.

    • chef mimi December 29, 2014 at 4:42 PM - Reply

      Very interesting. You should write a post on it! Regarding the cocoa, that’s what I do with my rum balls, for the lack of a better name. But the good chocolate and little crunch it provides is really nice, too.

  6. camparigirl December 29, 2014 at 6:32 PM - Reply

    I also got close to Christmas with no dessert planned so I went all out with a Buche de Noel, a traditional Christmas log of the rolled up variety, with a cream cheese and pecan praline in the center. Am still eating the leftovers but well worth the effort. Yours sounds intriguing – any dessert with booze in it has my vote.

    • chef mimi December 30, 2014 at 3:43 PM - Reply

      I’ve done a buche de noel once. Never again. I’m just not patient enough!!!

  7. nowathome December 30, 2014 at 4:24 AM - Reply

    Wow! That looks nice!!

  8. Marisa @missmarzipan.com December 30, 2014 at 6:18 AM - Reply

    So, so awesome! Love them, Mimi <3

  9. love in the kitchen December 30, 2014 at 10:56 AM - Reply

    This looks and sounds delicious Mimi & I’d probably go ahead and use the whiskey. But I’m curious – the egg is missing from the ingredient list but you clearly used an egg. I’m always a bit nervous about uncooked eggs. Makes me wonder if they’d hang together just fine without the raw egg in them? Maybe I’ll make a small egg-free batch and see how I go. And I love the idea of using crystallized ginger.

    • chef mimi December 30, 2014 at 11:13 AM - Reply

      Oh ooops. Thanks for the catch. I guess I don’t worry much. I buy the best quality eggs that I can find. Honestly, with enough butter to hold everything together, they might work out just fine. I just checked my recipe for Florentine Truffles here (https://chefmimiblog.com/2014/02/20/florentine-truffles/) and there’s no egg. I also have made Ginger Spice Truffles here (https://chefmimiblog.com/2012/11/20/ginger-spice-truffles/) and there’s no egg either. Since the dough doesn’t bake, I don’t think there’s a need at all.

      • love in the kitchen December 30, 2014 at 11:18 AM

        Perfect Mimi – thanks! I didn’t think it was all that necessary either. I’ll use your tips (more chocolate, crystallized ginger, and Walker’s shortbread – my favourite) and use nice smooth Canadian rye whiskey! Looking forward to it. And happiest of New Years to you and yours!

  10. hotlyspiced December 30, 2014 at 3:23 PM - Reply

    Hi Mimi, I’m having a lot of trouble commenting. It tells me I need to be ‘logged in’ but I definitely am logged in. Trying again! Thank you so much for your kind words and yes, I do often wonder for how long I’ll be able to write about my kids. I’m so glad you tried this recipe that was a definite favourite around our neighbourhood as my mother delivered these on Christmas Eve. I know it’s tricky getting the chocolate around the entire log but mum would rest them on baking paper then coat all the bits she could see. Then when that had set, turn them over and to the underside and then the edges. You did a great job and I’m glad you liked the end result xx

    • chef mimi December 30, 2014 at 3:45 PM - Reply

      Well, I can see your comment, so I have no idea if it’s a WordPress glitch or not. I’ve had similar problems on other blogs. Sometimes my comments disappear. But anyway, these logs are wonderful. I thought about maybe dipping the logs, about 2/3 of the way lengthwise next time, chilling them, then dipping the remaining ends…..

  11. Bam's Kitchen December 30, 2014 at 10:33 PM - Reply

    I love reading Charlie’s blog as well and so glad you created a little xmas log. You have far more patience than I do. They look very tasty. Wishing you a super 2015!

    • chef mimi January 4, 2015 at 8:39 AM - Reply

      I know for a fact that I don’t! Thank you, and Happy New Year!

  12. eliotthecat December 31, 2014 at 5:36 PM - Reply

    I will check out her blog. Hope you had a great holiday and all the best in 2105.

    • chef mimi January 4, 2015 at 8:38 AM - Reply

      Well, I hope I’m well and healthy in 2105!!! Happy New Year to you, too!

  13. Choc Chip Uru January 2, 2015 at 3:04 AM - Reply

    These logs look perfect for the holidays, already bookmarking for next year :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    • chef mimi January 2, 2015 at 7:55 AM - Reply

      Can you wait 12 months?!!! Happy New Year!

  14. dianeskitchentable January 3, 2015 at 8:22 PM - Reply

    I’m thinking the chocolate is a great idea too. I imagine we could also call these Valentine logs, Easter logs, Mother’s Day logs…why wait just for Christmas??

  15. thesnowwoman May 10, 2015 at 2:05 PM - Reply

    These look great, I haven’t seen a recipe like this before!

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