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Soft hot chocolate cookies made with hot cocoa mix, chocolate chips and gooey marshmallows. An easy winter cookie recipe perfect for the holidays!
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Pin It NowHot Chocolate Cookies: A Must-Make for the Holiday Season!
Is there any beverage more nostalgic during the winter than hot chocolate? So warm, so cozy. These hot chocolate cookies are just that — warm and cozy!
Soft Hot Chocolate Cookies are topped with gooey mini marshmallows and make the perfect addition to holiday cookie trays or any time you’re craving something warm and nostalgic.
And that drizzle of melted chocolate on top? It’s the perfect little topper that makes them a little extra special.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Ease + speed: one bowl, no chilling, ready in 15 minutes!
- Fun: I love the cocoa flavor, the melty drizzle of chocolate, and the marshmallows on top.
- Festive and perfect for sharing: try adding colorful sugar crystals to the chocolate drizzle for a little something extra.
Much like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day, these cookies provide a moment to enjoy something a little special. Let’s go make them!
❤️ Ashley
ingredient notes:
- No additional salt: the hot cocoa mix in this recipe does double duty — it provides the chocolate flavor and sweetness, but also the salt. Most hot cocoa mixes already contain enough salt to balance the cookies without making them taste overly salt.
- Coffee or espresso powder is optional but recommended, especially if you love a deeper chocolate flavor. It enhances the cocoa without making the cookies taste like coffee.
- Butter and eggs are best at room temp: this helps the dough come together smoothly and the cookies will bake more evenly.
Tips for the Best Hot Chocolate Cookies
- Don’t over-bake – soft centers make these cookies *perfection*
- The instant coffee doesn’t make them taste like coffee, it helps enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Add marshmallows immediately after baking so that can soften up and become gooey and adhere to the cookies.
- Don’t forget the chocolate drizzle, and maybe colored sugar crystals!
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temp. They are best enjoyed within the first couple of days.
More Holiday Baking Recipes
Looking for more cookie recipes and delicious treats for holiday baking and gift giving? Here are a few suggestions:
These hot chocolate cookies are everything cozy baking should be — easy, nostalgic, and yummy! They are as fun to make as they are to share and perfect for the holidays. As always, if you try them, let me know, I’d love to hear from you!
Hot Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup hot cocoa mix dry
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee or espresso powder optional, enhances chocolate flavor
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all‑purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Mini marshmallows
- Chocolate for drizzling about 1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Add the hot cocoa mix, instant coffee (if using), eggs, and vanilla. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Mix in the flour and baking soda just until no dry pockets remain. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Scoop the dough onto prepared baking sheets, using about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Space cookies well apart (about 6 per sheet).
- Bake for 10–11 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
- Add marshmallows. Immediately after removing from the oven, gently press the back of a spoon into the center of each cookie to create a small indentation. Press a few mini marshmallows into each cookie.
- Cool. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate. Once cooled, drizzle with melted chocolate and top with sprinkles if desired.
