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Mug of Cocoa Christmas Cookies

These adorable mug of cocoa cookies look like tiny, cozy cups of hot chocolate—complete with a red mug, a piped white snowflake, and a tall swirl of “whipped cream” made from royal icing.

They’re festive, charming, and perfect for cookie boxes, holiday parties, or simply adding a little extra cheer to your Christmas cookie platter. If you love classic cut-out cookies decorated in a cute, whimsical way, these are going to be a new seasonal favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies combine the best parts of the holidays: cozy winter vibes, cute Christmas designs, and delicious homemade sugar cookies. They’re easy to customize, beginner-friendly, and look bakery-level impressive without requiring complicated techniques.

If you enjoy decorating but don’t want anything too intricate, these are the perfect mix of simple and stunning.

These mug of cocoa cookies are also perfect for holiday gifting because they hold their shape, dry beautifully, and stack well without smudging the icing. If you’ve ever wanted a cookie that looks store-bought but still feels completely homemade, this design checks all the boxes.

They look adorable packaged in clear treat bags with a ribbon—or tucked into a cookie tin with other festive shapes. The red mug with the bright white snowflake stands out in the prettiest way.

Another thing I love about these cookies is how customizable they are. You can change the mug color, add sanding sugar for sparkle, or sprinkle a little edible glitter on the whipped cream to give it that magical snow-kissed look. You can even add tiny marshmallow sprinkles or a chocolate “drip” along the top edge if you want to get creative. Whether you’re a beginner decorator or you’ve been doing royal icing for years, this design gives you lots of room to play.

Ingredients

For the Cut-Out Cookies

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp salt

For the Royal Icing

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder
• 6 tablespoons water (more as needed)
• Red food coloring
• White food coloring (optional for extra-bright white)

Instructions

1. Make the Cookie Dough

1. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until combined.
3. Stir in the flour and salt until a dough forms.
4. Roll out to about ¼ inch thick and cut into mug shapes using your cutter.
5. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill for 10–15 minutes.
6. Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes or until edges are just set.
7. Let cool completely before decorating.

2. Make the Royal Icing

1. Combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water in a mixer.
2. Beat 3–5 minutes until thickened and glossy.
3. Divide into two bowls.
4. Tint one bowl red for the mug, and leave the other white for the snowflake and whipped cream.
5. Adjust consistency with small drops of water until the icing is smooth enough to pipe but still holds shape.

3. Decorate the Cookies

1. Outline and flood the mug with red royal icing.
2. Allow to set slightly, then pipe a white snowflake in the center of each mug.
3. Using thicker white icing, pipe a swirled whipped cream “dollop” on the top of the mug to look like a real hot cocoa topping.
4. Let the cookies dry completely—preferably overnight—for the icing to firm up.

Jennie’s Thoughts

I absolutely adore these mug of cocoa cookies—there’s just something magical about that little swirl of whipped cream on top. They instantly make me think of snowy nights, Christmas movies, and warm drinks by the tree. They’re also so much fun to decorate and always get tons of compliments. Whether you’re making them for gifting or your annual cookie trays, these cozy little mugs bring instant holiday joy.