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Looking for a cozy, chocolatey dessert to bring some extra holiday cheer to your kitchen? These Hot Cocoa Cookies are the ultimate blend of comfort and festive fun. Packed with rich chocolate flavor, gooey marshmallows, and melty chocolate chips, they’re everything you love about a cup of hot cocoa—transformed into a cookie!
Not only are these hot cocoa cookies absolutely delicious, but they’re also a super simple cookie recipe that’s perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike. Whether you’re planning a Christmas cookie exchange, a cozy family baking day, or just want a sweet treat for holiday movie night, this recipe will quickly become a favorite.
Here’s some other Christmas Cookies I’m baking this year!
Secret Ingredient Sugar Cookies
Mickey Mouse Gingerbread Cookies
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Best Chocolate Christmas Cookies: These hot cocoa cookies combine rich cocoa and chocolate chips for the ultimate chocolate lover’s dessert.
- Cute & Easy Christmas Cookies: Topped with toasted marshmallows, they’re festive and fun to make with kids.
- Hot Cocoa Vibes: They taste just like your favorite winter drink but in cookie form!
- Super Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is likely already in your pantry—no hard-to-find items here.
- Customizable Sizes: Make them bite-sized or large and indulgent; it’s up to you!
What Makes These Cookies Special?
This recipe uses hot cocoa mix in the dough, which gives the cookies a unique flavor reminiscent of sipping hot chocolate by the fire. You can even use hot cocoa mix with mini marshmallows for an extra layer of marshmallow goodness!
But what really takes these cookies to the next level is the toasted marshmallow topping. After baking, you’ll press mini marshmallows onto each cookie and pop them back in the oven for a minute or two. The result? Perfectly puffed, golden marshmallows that look as amazing as they taste.
How to Make Hot Cocoa Cookies
Making these cookies is a breeze, but here are a few tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfect every time:
- Chill the Dough: This step is essential! Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps them bake up soft and chewy.
- Use Quality Ingredients: A good cocoa mix and real butter make a difference in flavor.
- Customize Your Marshmallows: Cut mini marshmallows into smaller pieces for a delicate topping, or leave them whole for that dramatic marshmallow puff.
- More Chocolaty Flavor: If you’re like me and want your cookies to be a bit more chocolaty, you can mix in 1-2 Tablespoons of cocoa powder.
Hot Cocoa Cookies Recipe
Hot Cocoa Cookies Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour*
- 4 packets hot cocoa mix (or 3/4 cup hot cocoa mix, not sugar-free)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Mini marshmallows (cut into pieces, optional, for topping)
- 1-2 Tablespoons of cocoa powder(optional for a darker and more chocolaty cookie)
*Fluff your flour before measuring or use a kitchen scale for accuracy.
Hot Cocoa Cookies Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, hot cocoa mix, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and optional cocoa powder.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours) to make it easier to handle and enhance the flavor.
- Portion the Dough: Scoop the chilled dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Use about 4 tablespoons of dough (1/4 cup) for large cookies or 2 tablespoons for smaller cookies. Leave space between the cookies as they will spread slightly.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 9–11 minutes for smaller cookies and 11–14 minutes for larger cookies, or until the edges are set and the centers look soft but not raw.
- Add Marshmallows: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press several mini marshmallows onto the top of each cookie. Return the cookies to the oven for 1–2 minutes, just until the marshmallows are puffed and lightly toasted.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Creative Ideas for Serving
- Christmas Cookie Plates: These cookies are perfect for gifting! Add them to a festive tin with other holiday favorites.
- Hot Cocoa Pairing: Serve these cookies alongside mugs of hot chocolate for the ultimate holiday treat.
- Dessert Boards: Arrange these hot cocoa cookies with chocolate-dipped pretzels, candy canes, and truffles for a Christmas dessert spread.
Why These Are the Best Chocolate Christmas Cookies
When it comes to easy good cookie recipes, this one checks all the boxes. The combination of chocolate chips, cocoa mix, and marshmallows makes them stand out from traditional Christmas cookies. They’re decadent yet approachable, and they’ll have everyone asking for the recipe!
FAQs About This Recipe
Q: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be chilled for up to 24 hours before baking. You can also freeze the baked cookies and reheat them in the oven to refresh the marshmallows.
Q: Can I use sugar-free hot cocoa mix?
It’s not recommended, as sugar-free mixes can alter the texture and flavor of the cookies. Stick to regular hot cocoa mix for the best results.
Q: Can I use different toppings?
Absolutely! While marshmallows are classic, you can also drizzle these cookies with chocolate or sprinkle them with crushed candy canes for a peppermint twist.
Bake These Fun Christmas Cookies Today!
If you’re on the hunt for fun cookie recipes for Christmas, these Hot Cocoa Cookies are the answer. They’re festive, delicious, and perfect for creating holiday memories in the kitchen. Add them to your list of easy chocolate Christmas cookies this year—you won’t regret it!
So grab your cocoa mix, chocolate chips, and marshmallows, and let’s bake some holiday magic. Your family and friends will be raving about these cookies all season long.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. If you give it a try, be sure to share your creations on Instagram and tag me @mixinsomemagic—I’d love to see them!
Looking for more fun recipes? Don’t miss my collection of Disney Copycat Recipes and other delicious ideas to bring a little magic to your kitchen. From sweet treats to savory favorites, there’s something for everyone. Happy baking!
Hot Cocoa Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Cup butter, softned
- 1 Cup sugar
- 2/3 Cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3¼ Cups all-purpose flour
- 4 Packets hot cocoa mix(or 3/4 cup hot cocoa mix not sugar free
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 Cup chocolate chips
- mini marshmallows cut into smaller pieces(optional)
- 1-2 Tbls cocoa powder option for extra chocolaty flavor
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, hot cocoa mix, salt, baking soda, baking powder and optional cocoa powder.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours) to make it easier to handle and enhance the flavor.
- Portion the Dough: Scoop the chilled dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Use about 4 tablespoons of dough (1/4 cup) for large cookies or 2 tablespoons for smaller cookies. Leave space between the cookies as they will spread slightly.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 9–11 minutes for smaller cookies and 11–14 minutes for larger cookies, or until the edges are set and the centers look soft but not raw.
- Add Marshmallows: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press several mini marshmallows onto the top of each cookie. Return the cookies to the oven for 1–2 minutes, just until the marshmallows are puffed and lightly toasted.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Tips:
- Cutting the mini marshmallows into smaller pieces creates a more even, toasted topping.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent excessive spreading during baking and improves texture and flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
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I'm Melissa, your Disney vacation aficionado and full-time mom to four. Whether it's sipping Diet Dr. Pepper or sharing unbeatable Disney planning tips, I'm all about adding a touch of magic to everyday life. Let me help turn your Disney dreams into reality with insider advice and customized planning strategies. Join me on this magical journey and make every Disney adventure unforgettable! Read more...
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