Step 1

In a mixing bowl beat sugar and butter until fluffy.

Step 2

Beat in the egg, vanilla and rum.

Step 3

Whisk together flour and nutmeg in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients 1 cup at a time until mixed thoroughly.

Step 4

Remove dough from bowl and wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

Step 5

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 hands.

Step 6

Place some flour on a cutting board and roll out dough until it is 1/2″ round. Cut into 2 1/2″ logs.

Step 7

Arrange on an ungreased 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 cooling rack.

Step 8

Beat together butter and rum (or rum flavoring).

Step 9

Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar and beat. Add 2-3 tablespoons of half and half and beat in.

Step 10

Gradually add 2-3 cups powdered sugar until of spreading consistency.

Step 11

Spread frosting on each cookie and then run tines of fork over the frosting to resemble bark.

Step 12

Sprinkle with nutmeg.