Valentine’s Day Mug Hug Cookies
Hey cupid! Might I suggest that you make these Valentine’s Day Mug Hug Cookies for your sweetie.
I don’t know about you, but it seemed as if January took forever to make it through. Then, February comes along and poof- we are a little less than a week away from Valentine’s Day. Which is the middle of the month, followed by my birthday on the 19th, then BAM. February is over. Like a flash of lightning.
Before that happens, though, I want us to hit the pause button and stop and smell the roses…..er, fresh baked cookies coming out the oven!
Even if you’re not a fan of Valentine’s Day, who can possibly say no to a cookie designed to hang out on your coffee cup?
Not I.
Not my husband.
Those specialty cookie cutters went right into my shopping tote at the mecca of all things coffee cups + mug hug cookie cutters that is Sur la table. And it’s a good thing they did, too, because as soon as I saw the email go out rallying the food blogging band of troops that participate each year in the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer event, I knew immediately what I would be working on; Valentine’s Day Mug Hug Cookies!
Did you know that cancer is the #1 cause of death of children by disease in the U.S.? There are 40,000 U.S. children actively battling cancer right now. With less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget going to all childhood cancer combined, I knew it was important for me to get involved.
You can also help us make a difference by donating to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer! Our goal is to raise at least $3000. Because these three companies: Dixie Crystals, Mediavine and OXO have each pledged to match our donations raised through this campaign up to $3000!!!
Update: Thanks to many of you, we have reached (and exceeded) our goal!! You can still donate and help us make an even bigger difference, though.
What I love about this cookie recipe is that it’s lightly vanilla flavored, soft yet sturdy enough to decorate with icing, but it’s multi-functional and is just as tasty on its own.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- Royal Icing, red and pink gel coloring
- In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, and salt); set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter, oil, sugar, and confectioners sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat to combine. Add dry ingredients and mix just until the dough comes together. Place the dough in the center of some plastic wrap, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, or use a silicone baking mat.
- On a heavily floured surface, unwrap the dough. With half of the dough, mold into a circular disc. Use a rolling pin, sprinkled with flour to roll out the dough. (do not knead the dough too much, as it will get sticky as it comes to room temperature). Use the cookie cutters to cut out the desired amount of mug hug cookies.
- With the remaining dough, use a 2-ounce cookie scoop to form cookies into balls. Place each onto the prepared baking sheet and with the bottom of a small juice cup (lightly floured), gently flatten out the cookies.
- Bake until cookies have lightly golden edges, about 15 minutes for the mug hug cookies and 20 minutes for the round cookies. Let cool 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- Cookies will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prepare the Royal Icing, and decorate as desired. j
Unless you plan on making like 2 dozen Mug Hug Cookies, you’ll have extra dough. No worries, friends!
Just whip up some of these Sparkle Heart Cookies while you’re already in the kitchen.
Super simple (I’m no cookie decorator and even I think they’re pretty cute) and fun to make with the little people in your life. I buy the cheater royal icing mix from a local party store but here’s the brand: Royal Icing Mix. You only have to add a little bit of water and you’re all set.
Apply the sanding sugar to the heart while the icing is still wet, and you’re good to go for some incredibly easy, and delightfully charming cookies.
Here are my cookies from last year’s event: Peppermint Brownie Cookies.
Be sure to check out everyone’s cookie posts and enjoy adding some new recipes to your collection.
Yellow Heart-Shaped Rainbow Funfetti Cookies from Julie of The Little Kitchen
Peanut Butter Cookie Cake from Julie of Julie Blanner
Cherry Coconut Macaroons from Miranda of Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt
Brownie Cookies from Mel of Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
No-Bake Chocolate Candy Cookies from Debi of Life Currents
Double Dark Chocolate Chery Black Forest Cookies from Jamie of Southern Revivals
White Chocolate Valentine Madeleine Cookies from Marlynn of Urban Bliss Life
Pillowy Soft Sugar Cookies from Stephie of Stephie Cooks
Steak with Peppercorn Sauce from Sonja of Ginger & Toasted Sesame
Creamy Beet Risotto from Rachel of Copper & Verdigris
Valentine’s Day Chocolate Sugar Cookies from Denise of Chez Us
Red Velvet Donuts from Gwynn of Swirls of Flavor
Brown Butter Panbanging Cookies from Marybeth of babysavers
Gluten-Free Chocolate Kiss Cookies from Audrey of Mama Knows Gluten Free
Gluten-Free Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies from Brianna of Flippin’ Delicious
Rose Meringue Cookies from Kirsten of Comfortably Domestic
Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Curry from Shashi of Savory Spin
Double Chocolate Meringue Cookies from Dee of Meatloaf and Melodrama
Food Bloggers’ Valentine’s Event from Sarah of Sarah Cooks the Books
Cream Wafer Cookies from Kelly of Live Laugh Rowe
White Chocolate and Raspberry Cookies from Wanda of My Sweet Zepol
Raspberry Fudge Cookies from Jessica of A Kitchen Addiction
Raspberry Cookies from Courtney of Know Your Produce
Syltkakor Raspberry Jam Cookies from Megan of Stetted
No-Bake Chocolate Tart from Rachel of Rachel Cooks
Heart-Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies from Angela of About a Mom
Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies from Lisa of TasteCookSip
Chai Latte Shortbread Hearts from Sue of It’s Okay to Eat the Cupcake
Soft and Sweet Sugar Cookie Bars from Carlee of Cooking With Carlee
Strawberry and Cream Cookies from Ashley of A Cup of Charming
Cherry Cream Cheese Cookies from Lisa of Blogghetti
Galete Waffle Cookies from Shaina of Food for My Family
Almond Shortbread Cookies from Denise of addicted 2 recipes
Easy Strawberry Fudge from Chrysa of Thrifty Jinxy
Valentine’s Day Mug Hug Cookies from Aimee of Southern From Scratch
Doughnut Sandwich Cookies from Bree of Baked Bree
Chocolate Nutella Cookies from Melissa of Modern Honey
Easy Crinkle Cookies from Amy of The Nifty Foodie
Chocolate Sugar Cookies from Becca of The Salted Cookie
Love Cake from Sara of Confectionary Tales
