When you’re a baker, holiday cookie designs begin long before it’s appropriate to even think about Christmas. You can ask just about any of us crazies, and we will admit to it. We also have a hard time keeping them under wraps until after Thanksgiving, and a few ideas may sneak out before then, but we can’t help it. We are too excited!

For Christmas inspiration, I’ve had an ongoing holiday Pinterest board and these wood log cookies were my first to create from it. It seems like I am not the only one to jump on the woodland theme this year, and for sure, I will not be the last. I love to see everyone’s interpretations! 
Here’s my little how-to on creating a bit of woodland cookie love for your holiday table. I started with this gingerbread recipe from Sweetopia, but altered the spices a bit. The recipe is fantastic and delicious! I highly recommend it if you like a soft crumb, and the dark brown cookie makes a great base for icing, in my opinion.

I didn’t have the exact shape I wanted for this design, so for several cookies I had to “cut and paste” the dough together to make a leaf addition to the side. Once the decoration is on, you’ll never tell! I used coarse sugar on the edges, instead of sanding sugar, to convey a more bark like quality. It also has a great crunch! Let these steps set up for a bit before moving on to the next.

Those swirls are super easy to do. I started in the center and worked my way out, stopping and starting the flow of icing as I went to create a woodgrain look. It doesn’t have to be perfect because a rustic feel works with these! You could try this technique wet on wet, but I liked the texture of this method better.

I wanted to make these wood log cookies have a Christmas feel, so I added a tiny holly decoration. And a mushroom to a few. They were too darn cute not to be added. 🙂

I’m not sure these log cookies say “Christmas” enough, but maybe with a few snowflake or tree cookies along side them, they could work as a great holiday platter.  Or maybe a few woodland critters in winter weather gear? If I get around to something like that, I will be sure to share it here. Or if you do, let me know…I’d love to see what you create!

Let the holiday baking commence!

Linked to: Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons