1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add egg and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy.
2. Combine dry ingredients; beat into creamed mixture.
3. Divide dough in half; place each half between two sheets of waxed paper. Roll each into a 12" x 10" rectangle. Chill until almost firm, about 30 minutes.
4. In a saucepan over low heat, melt chips and butter. Add vanilla and salt. Mix well.
5. Spread chocolate mixture over dough. Carefully and tightly roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Wrap each roll in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm.
6. Cut rolls into 1/8-inch slices with a sharp thin knife; place on greased or parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees fro 7-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
*These are basically chocolate chip cookies in pinwheel form, but the chocolate really stands out in these, most likely because the ratio of chips to dough is higher in this recipe.
A Yule log is an enormous log that is typically burned during the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25-January 6). Some scholars suggest that the word yulemeans “revolution” or “wheel,” which symbolizes the cyclical return of the sun. A burning log or its charred remains is said to offer health, fertility, and luck as well as the ability to ward off evil spirits.