These mug sugar cookies are sure to impress all of your friends this fall baking season! In this post you’ll learn all of my tips and tricks for avoiding craters, getting just the right consistency and perfecting that lettering.

mug sugar cookies decorated with royal icing

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These mug sugar cookies come from this Fall in a Cup set, which includes a mug, maple leaf and pumpkin. Check out this post to learn more about creating the full set!

Before we get into the specifics of this set, if you’re brand new to royal icing I’d recommend starting with my foundation post: What is Royal Icing?

And if you’d like more detailed prep instructions and a private class video specific to the set of cookies you’re making, definitely check out my online cookie decorating classes!

Now, let’s get started with these mug sugar cookies!

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How to Make These Mug Sugar Cookies
Step-by-Step Decorating Instructions

How to Make These Mug Sugar Cookies

I recommend breaking up the cookie decorating process into a several day affair. Decorating an entire set of cookies with royal icing from start to finish is not something you can accomplish in a few hours, and would be challenging (if not impossible for some) to complete in a full day of working.

Step 1: Purchase All Supplies, Ingredients, Tools etc Needed

Click here for a list of all basic baking/cookie decorating supplies

Keep in mind that some of these products are sourced from small businesses (especially the cookie cutters), and maybe take up to a couple of weeks to arrive.

Cookie cutter:

Food Coloring:

Click here for links to basic sets of gel food coloring colors from Wilton, Chefmaster, Americolor and Artisan Accents (search “gel colors” in post).

Color Palette

The color palette for this cookie is taken from the full set color palette below. The colors used in this cookie are:

Brown
Purple
Teal
White (not included in the photo below)

Tools + decorations you’ll need for this set:

Scissors (small and sharp)
Toothpick or scribe
Paper towels
Projector — see this post for more detailed information on my favorite projectors (search “projector” on the page)
Sprinkles (your choice of color)
Chocolate brown gel food coloring
Small paint brush (all the way to the left in this set)
Fall in a Cup cutter purchased from Kaleidacuts for rights to use this lettering

Helpful posts on tools, equipment + decorations:

Step 2: Bake the Cookies

I recommend baking the cookies up to 2 days before you plan to decorate. Store uniced cookies in an airtight container on the counter for up to 1 week before icing.

Check out my cookie recipe here.

Helpful posts when baking the cookies:

Step 3: Prep the Icing for Decorating

Start this process up to 24-48 hours before decorating.

Check out my icing recipe here.

I recommend breaking up the icing prep into two days:

Day before: make fresh icing, divide the icing into bowls labeled for each color, and do an initial phase of coloring the icing (keeping in mind that color develops/darkens over time–read here for more specifics on color development to prevent color bleed)
Morning of (no more than a couple hours before decorating): final adjustments to color and thin the icing to desired consistencies

Colors & consistencies you’ll need for this set:

Click here for a post on how to figure out how much royal icing you need.

White – just white
- Medium peak piping consistency (whipped cream) – Air on the THINNER side if unsure
Purple – mostly violet + a little royal blue + rose
- Soft peak piping (handle of mug) – Air on the THINNER side if unsure
- Thick flood (main part of mug) – Air on the THINNER side if unsure
Brown – just chocolate brown
- Soft peak piping (cinnamon sticks) – Air on the THINNER side if unsure
Teal – royal blue + tiny bit of yellow (any yellow)
- Medium peak piping (lettering) – Air on the THINNER side if unsure
- Thick flood (pumpkin) – Air on the THINNER side if unsure

Helpful resources on the basics of royal icing:

Helpful resources for icing consistency:

Helpful resources for coloring icing:

Helpful resources for bagging and cutting tipless bags:

Step 4: Decorate!

Now it’s time to finally decorate! I know, it’s been a process to get here, but you’re finally here. Hoorah!

You might even want to start out with a practice sheet before you start with your cookies! If you need help navigating these practice sheets, definitely check out one of my online classes.

Quick video of the cookie:

Sped up satisfying version of the entire set on YouTube:

Step-by-step video tutorial with voiceover (skip to time stamp for specific cookie):

Helpful resources for the decorating process:

How to hold tipless bags:

Line the SEAM up with your knuckles
Line the top of the bag up with the top of your hand
Hold the bag from the TOP with just your pointer and thumb
Wrap the rest of your fingers around the bag

How to cut tipless bags (Check out this video starting at time stamp 7:03):

Hold the bag with the SEAM up
Squeeze the bag to gently fluff up the tip of the bag (do NOT squeeze the tip of the bag as that will create another fold)
Cut STRAIGHT across with sharp scissors (any uneven cuts/jagged cuts can result in icing coming out of the bag in a squiggle as it snags the excess plastic along the way)
Approximate amounts to cut:
- Outline/piping consistency: 4-6mm
- Flood: 5-7mm

Helpful resources when you’re done decorating:

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Step-by-Step Decorating Instructions: Mug Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Flood the cup

Use purple thick flood consistency to outline and flood the main part of the mug. Allow to dry for 10-15 minutes until the icing is dry to the touch.

how to decorate mug sugar cookies royal icing

Step 2: Flood first cinnamon stick

Use brown soft peak piping consistency to outline and flood the first cinnamon stick. Since this is a piping consistency, this requires you to do a “pressure piped” flood. Aka you need to squeeze really hard! Then use the tip of the bag or a scribe to settle the icing. Allow to dry for 10-15 minutes until the icing is dry to the touch.

How to decorate mug sugar cookies with royal icing

Step 3: Flood handle

Use purple soft peak piping consistency to outline and flood the handle. Again, you are using the pressure piping flood technique. Use a scribe to settle out the icing. Allow to dry for 10-15 minutes until the icing is dry to the touch.

Step 4: Flood second cinnamon stick

Use brown soft peak piping consistency to outline and flood the second cinnamon stick. Again this is the pressure piped flooding technique. Use a scribe to settle the icing. Allow to dry for 10-15 minutes until the icing is dry to the touch.

Step 5: Whipped cream

Use white medium peaking piping consistency to pipe the whipped cream. Also make sure to add the sprinkles at this stage (not pictured).

Step 6: Paint cinnamon sticks

Use brown gel food coloring (straight from the bottle undiluted) and a very small paintbrush to paint the accents on the ends of the cinnamon sticks to add dimension.

Step 7: Lettering

Use teal medium peak piping consistency cut with a pretty big outline tip to pipe the lettering on the cookie.

Please refer to these posts for more information on the full set and decorating each cookie in the set:

Mug Sugar Cookies

These adorable mug sugar cookies are delicious and decorated with the best royal icing!

Ingredients

Sugar Cookies

Royal Icing

Food Coloring

Tools & Decorations

Cookie Cutters

Instructions

Sugar Cookies:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C)
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, corn starch and salt.
In a medium bowl, measure out the sugar.
In a small bowl, crack in the eggs.
In a small bowl, measure out the vanilla bean paste.
Using paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar. Beat on medium high until mixture is well-incorporated and is slightly lighter in color. It should be airy and fluffy.
Add in the eggs one at a time, just barely incorporating the mixture after each egg.
Add in the vanilla. Mix on low first to incorporate until the mixture is viscous, then beat on medium high until the mixture is fluffy again. Do not over mix!
Add in the flour mixture. Be careful not to over mix the dough. The dough is done when it starts to clumb on the paddle and pulls away from the sides.
Roll dough out to 5/16", cut out shapes and plan on pan (I prefer to use perforated silicone baking mats).
Bake for 8-12 minutes at 375 degrees F (bake time depends on size of cookies & how closely placed together)

Royal Icing:

Yields 35-37 ounces of icing.

1. Using a paddle attachment (or whisk if you prefer), beat meringue powder (45 grams) and 1/2 cup + 2 TBSP lemon juice on medium high (speed 6) until a beer-like foam forms (approx. 1-2 minutes). Scrape down the sides at least once. More detailed breakdown for the 1-2 minutes:

Beat on medium (speed 4) for 30 seconds
Scrape the bowl
Beat on medium high (speed 6) for 1 minute
At this point you have reached 1.5 minutes of beating. It is OK to beat for longer if needed! Almost impossible to over mix at this stage.

2. Add in the powdered sugar and mix on lowest speed until incorporated. Scrape down the sides.

3. Mix icing on medium speed for 2-4 minutes until a fluffy icing forms at either a stiff or medium peak, depending on yours needs (depending on your environment and desired consistency, you may need to add some or all of the additional 2 TBSP lemon juice). More detailed breakdown of the 2-4 minutes:

Stir on low for 30 seconds
Beat on medium (speed 4) for 30 seconds
Scrape the bowl
Beat on medium (speed 4) for 1 minute
Scrape the bowl - if you need more liquid, now is the best time to add any or all of the remaining 2 TBSP of lemon juice
Beat on medium (speed 4) for 30 seconds (either for one final spin or to incorporate the additional liquid)
At this point you have reached 2.5 minutes of mixing. If you added additional liquid, you may want to beat for another 30 seconds to more fully incorporate. If you need to continue to adjust liquid, you still have more time to beat the icing before it is over mixed. Icing should either be at a stiff peak piping consistency or medium peak piping consistency (if it's much stiffer than a fluffy stick peak, then add more water).

***All indicated speeds are for a KitchenAid stand mixer.

Prep the Icing for Decorating

Start this process up to 24-48 hours before decorating.

I recommend breaking up the icing prep into two days:

Day before: make fresh icing, divide the icing into bowls labeled for each color, and do an initial phase of coloring the icing (keeping in mind that color develops/darkens over time--read here for more specifics on color development to prevent color bleed)
Morning of (no more than a couple hours before decorating): final adjustments to color and thin the icing to desired consistencies

Colors & consistencies that you'll need for this set:

Click here for a post on how to figure out how much royal icing you need.

White - just white

Medium peak piping consistency (whipped cream) - Air on the THINNER side if unsure

Purple - mostly violet + a little royal blue + rose

Soft peak piping (handle of mug) - Air on the THINNER side if unsure
Thick flood (main part of mug) - Air on the THINNER side if unsure

Brown - just chocolate brown

Soft peak piping (cinnamon sticks) - Air on the THINNER side if unsure

Teal - royal blue + tiny bit of yellow (any yellow)

Medium peak piping (lettering) - Air on the THINNER side if unsure
Thick flood (pumpkin) - Air on the THINNER side if unsure

Decorating these Decorated Fall Cookies:

Click here for a sped up satisfying video of the entire set (helpful when you just want a more condensed visual of how to decorate each cookie).

Click here for a real time tutorial with voiceover (watch each cookie decorated in real time as I give tips and tricks).

Step 1: Flood the cup

Use purple thick flood consistency to outline and flood the main part of the mug. Allow to dry for 10-15 minutes until the icing is dry to the touch.

Step 2: Flood first cinnamon stick

Use brown soft peak piping consistency to outline and flood the first cinnamon stick. Since this is a piping consistency, this requires you to do a "pressure piped" flood. Aka you need to squeeze really hard! Then use the tip of the bag or a scribe to settle the icing. Allow to dry for 10-15 minutes until the icing is dry to the touch.

Step 3: Flood handle

Use purple soft peak piping consistency to outline and flood the handle. Again, you are using the pressure piping flood technique. Use a scribe to settle out the icing.

Step 4: Flood second cinnamon stick

Step 5: Whipped cream

Use white medium peaking piping consistency to pipe the whipped cream. Also make sure to add the sprinkles at this stage (not pictured).

Step 6: Paint cinnamon sticks

Use brown gel food coloring (straight from the bottle undiluted) and a very small paintbrush to paint the accents on the ends of the cinnamon sticks to add dimension.

Step 7: Lettering

Use teal medium peak piping consistency cut with a pretty big outline tip to pipe the lettering on the cookie.

Please refer to the following pages for step-by-step decorating instructions for each cookie in this love bird sugar cookies set:

Notes

Cookie Baking Notes:

Use an oven thermometer: It wasn't until just a few years ago that I learned that not all ovens heat to the temperature on the dial. In fact, most of them don't! That's why I always use an oven thermometer and recommend that everyone do! If you want to go next level you can even put one in the front and one in the back as sometimes these temps can vary.
Cream together the butter and sugar enough: You want to make sure you've incorporated enough air into the butter and sugar. This is indicated by the mixture turning a slightly lighter color and appearing fluffy.
Don't over work your dough: you'll want to mix the dough at the final stage JUST ENOUGH. It will be done when the dough sticks to the paddle/comes off the sides of the bowl. You ALSO do not want to over work your dough as you're rolling it out. It is for this reason many cookiers only roll out twice. I personally roll as many times as I have dough, but I make sure to barely incorporate the scraps of dough (I let the rolling pin do all the work).
Roll your dough to a consistent thickness: by rolling your dough to a consistent thickness, you'll make it much easier to bake your cookies evenly. I roll my dough to 5/16".
Use powdered sugar instead of flour to roll your dough: if you're like me and use every bit of your dough, I recommend using powdered sugar instead of flour to roll your dough. When I use flour it adds too much flour to the dough and makes it drier.
Roll out your dough on parchment paper: I always roll out my dough on parchment paper, which makes transferring the cookies to the pan a dream (I peel the dough off the parchment paper before transferring to the pan)! I like to use these precut parchment paper sheets.
Bake with perforated baking mats: I find that perforated baking mats give the most even bake because air is allowed to flow under the cookie. Baking with perforated baking mats can take some getting used to. Make sure you read the instructions on the product website. For example, do NOT use a scented soap to clean them and make sure ALL of the soap is cleaned off (because of the perforations soap can get caught and make your cookies taste like soap). Alternatively, you can use standard silicone baking mats or parchment paper.

Don't over bake your cookies: every recipe is different, but I've found with my recipe that the cookies are done when they are JUST set on the edges and cooked through the center. A tiny bit of golden brown is usually ok, but any more and they're overcooked.
Flatten the cookies with a spatula after baking: this can get out an bubbles that formed while baking AND gives you a little extra peace of mind that the surfaces are actually flat 🙂

Royal Icing Notes:

I recommend 1 batch of icing per 1 batch of cookie dough (you'll have extra icing, but it's better than running out).

Be careful not to over mix, as that can cause air bubbles or ruin the icing (it will crumble when dry). Watch the mixer carefully in this last stage as the mixing time can vary greatly. I always recommend setting a timer once you have added all of the ingredients to the bowl to avoid over-mixing (once you reach 5 minutes+ you risk over-mixing).

This recipe makes about 35-37 ounces of icing. A standard 3.5" cookie typically requires 1-1.25 ounces icing/cookie. Of course this depends on the design! I like to budget 1.5 ounces icing/cookie just to be safe. So this recipe makes enough icing for 24 (2 dozen) cookies.