Hot cocoa is a staple during the winter, and especially at Christmastime. These easy gingerbread man mug hugger cookies are the perfect addition to any cup of cocoa. They're perfect to pair with a hot cocoa bomb. You don't need any fancy or custom cutters to make these for your family to enjoy, and you can use a cookie mix like I did for the quickest results.
Making things for Christmastime is such a special tradition. I love decorating sugar cookies with royal icing and stringing popcorn. The common theme is that either while putting together gifts for friends and neighbors or working on the Christmas lists is a good, cheesy movie and a cup of cocoa.
Looking for more Christmas treats?
- Reindeer Hot Cocoa Bomb
- Gingerbread Wreath Tutorial
- Grinch Fruit Kabobs
- Make a Donut Hole Christmas Tree
Ingredients and Supplies
- Your favorite gingerbread cookie mix, or a homemade recipe. I used this Betty Crocker mix and you just need an egg, a stick of butter and water.
- A gingerbread cookie cutter, or any shape that you want to use
- A knife (just a normal table knife is fine)
- powdered sugar and water for your icing
- hot cocoa and whipped cream
- a cute Christmas mug (optional, but recommended!)
Instructions
- Roll out your gingerbread cooke dough and cut out your cookies.
- Take your knife and create a slit/wedge in the base of the cookie. If using a gingerbread cookie cutter, it's as if you're cutting the cookie in half but only going to the belly button of the cookie. Keep in mind that not all mugs are the same size, so you may want to make it a bit bigger than you think. The cookie will also expand while baking but I've shared a tip for tackling that problem further in the instructions.
- Bake your cookies following the package instructions. Lean a bit more towards the crispier side without burning them... once they harden it'll be helpful for the cookie to retain it's shape while hanging off the mug.
- This is the trick! Within a minute or two from pulling out the gingerbread cookies, recut your cookie with your table knife. Basically, follow the 'guide lines' that were created the first time you cut the cookie. Gingerbread cookies (especially from a mix and if you don't flash freeze them) spread quite a bit. And once they finish baking on the cookie sheet you won't be able to make the slit wider for the mug without breaking the cookie.
- Allow the cookies to cool and then decorate! To make your icing, you can either make royal icing, use some from the store, or make a simple glaze.
- To make a glaze you combine powdered sugar and water. It's the simplest way to make a quick frosting. You want it thick enough it doesn't run all over the cookie..so add more powdered sugar as needed.
- Enjoy your mug hugger with a nice cup of cocoa!
📖 Recipe
Gingerbread Mug Hugger
This sweet and simple mug huggers are the cutest accompaniment to a cup of hot cocoa.
Equipment
- 1 knife
- 1 mixing bowl or stand mixer
- 1 gingerbread man cookie cutter
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- ½ cup butter
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 package gingerbread cookie mix
Icing
- 4 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoon water
Instructions
- Roll out your gingerbread cooke dough and cut out your cookies.
- Take your knife and create a slit/wedge in the base of the cookie. If using a gingerbread cookie cutter, it's as if you're cutting the cookie in half but only going to the belly button of the cookie.
- Bake your cookies following your package instructions. Typically it'll be 9-12 minutes at 350°.
- Within a minute or two from pulling out the gingerbread cookies, recut your cookie with your table knife. Basically, follow the 'guide lines' that were created the first time you cut the cookie.
- Allow the cookies to finish baking and cool on the tray.
- To make your icing, combine your powdered sugar and water. You want it thick enough it won't run off the edge of the cookie, so if it's too thin add a bit more powdered sugar.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Claire says
Delicious cookies and so cute sitting on my cup of hot chocolate!