Mini Gingerbread House Mug Huggers

Ok, so I saw these “Home Sweet Home Mug Toppers” (below) at Anthropologie and HAD to have them for my Hot Cocoa Bar.  However….I went to the store and they were $10 for 2!!!!  {eek!}  I love you Anthropologie but I just can’t.  I’ll spend $75 for a blouse LOL but not $10 for 2 mini gingerbread homes.  (As I type this and sarcastically say that out loud, I realize how absurd that is hahahaha.  Oh well.)
I thought I’d pull out my favorite Gingerbread recipe (below) and make my own.  Now, there was a lot of trial and error. The house was too long and wouldn’t sit right on the mug, I assembled the top before the sides were dry and strong and it fell apart, the cookie needed to cool and harden before assembling or it would break. Ya know…those kind of things.  I figured out the exact proportions that would work, measured, and then sketched them and turned them into a pdf file just for you!  Because 3 hours of trial and error needs to be for the greater good right?!  ;-p  Before figuring it out, I was all ready to march over to Anthro the next day and just spend the darn $10.  But once I learned what worked, it was easy!  Let’s do this!

BEST Gingerbread Recipe EVER
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon all spice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons water

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, all spice, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and baking soda together until the mixture is smooth. Blend in the flour and water to make a stiff dough. Chill at least 30 minutes or until firm.  Roll out dough and print out and cut out the following paper patterns for the gingerbread house template:

Mini Gingerbread Mug Hugs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Cook for 6-7 minutes.  Remove and let cool completely!

Royal Icing (this is like glue):
1 pound powdered sugar, sifted
2 large egg whites, or substitute 4 teaspoons packaged egg whites and 1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract

Once cookies are completely cool, assemble sides and front of house and “glue” with icing.  let dry for an hour before attaching roof and candy.  Use glitter sugar, crushed candy canes…stuff that adds a pretty touch but is lightweight.  Remember, these are little so you are NOT going to be adding heavier candies to it.  Let dry for another 1-3 hours before adding to your mug.  Soooooo delicious and cute!

Wouldn’t this be a cute idea with some hot cocoa packets and mugs for your friends, family, or neighbors this holiday season??

Also, make sure to go back and visit my post on my HOT COCOA BAR for the free printable you see above in the frame.

AND!!!  If you are not wanting to measure and cut, here are some shopping links below that include the mini gingerbread house cutter.

Have fun and enjoy!!

{Sharing some photos below of the process….}