Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe

The Coziest Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe for Sweet Dreamers

Brewing a mouthwatering hot chocolate cookies batch transforms ordinary afternoons into sweet celebrations of comfort.

Warm cocoa notes dance through soft, pillowy cookies that melt effortlessly on your tongue.

chocolate lovers will adore these decadent treats that capture winter’s coziest essence.

Rich marshmallow swirls create delightful pockets of gooey goodness within each bite.

Minimal ingredients and simple steps mean anyone can craft these delectable delights.

Melted chocolate chips blend seamlessly with classic cookie dough for an irresistible texture.

Invite winter’s warmth into your kitchen and let these cookies spark pure joy.

Hot Chocolate Cookies Highlights

  • Customize Your Flavor Adventure: Elevate these cookies by adding crushed peppermint, white chocolate chips, or other exciting mix-ins for a personalized sweet experience.
  • Master Baking with Ease: Perfect for beginners, this recipe offers simple steps and foolproof techniques that guarantee delicious results every single time.
  • Prep-Ahead Convenience: Make the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator, giving you flexibility for last-minute baking or unexpected cookie cravings.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Chocolate Delight: Combine the comforting taste of hot chocolate with the classic cookie format, creating a treat that appeals to both kids and adults at gatherings, parties, or cozy family moments.

Ingredients for Hot Chocolate Cookies

Primary Ingredients:
  • Butter: The foundation for creating a rich and creamy cookie base.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deep caramel-like flavor to the cookies.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cookie's structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
Flour and Dry Mix Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The main structural component of the cookie dough.
  • Hot Cocoa Mix: Delivers a rich chocolate flavor throughout the cookies.
  • Salt: Balances and intensifies the sweet flavors.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cookies rise and become light.
Mix-In Ingredients:
  • Chocolate Chips, Mallow Bits: Add extra texture and create delightful pockets of chocolate and marshmallow in each cookie.

How to Bake Hot Chocolate Cookies

Step 1: Create Creamy Cookie Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and airy. Gently incorporate eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully blended.

Pour in vanilla extract and mix until smooth.

Step 2: Craft Dry Ingredient Blend

In a separate bowl, thoroughly combine:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Hot cocoa mix
  • Salt
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder

Slowly fold the dry ingredient mixture into the butter mixture, stirring until a consistent dough forms.

Step 3: Enhance with Delicious Mix-Ins

Gently fold into the dough:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Mallow Bits

Cover the dough and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes or up to 24 hours to develop rich flavors.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Scoop dough into rounded tablespoon-sized balls, spacing them 2 inches apart.

Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges turn golden brown.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes.

Transfer to wire cooling rack. Serve warm or store in sealed container for up to 5 days.

Savor the cozy hot chocolate goodness in every bite!

Tips for Soft Hot Chocolate Cookies

  • Use Mallow Bits instead of regular mini marshmallows to prevent stickiness and enhance the fluffy texture of the cookies.
  • Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes (up to 24 hours) to develop deeper flavors and improve cookie consistency.
  • Experiment with different hot cocoa mix brands or flavors to create unique variations of these chocolatey treats.
  • Remove cookies from the oven when edges are lightly browned to maintain a soft, chewy center.
  • Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain their freshness and delicious taste.

Variations for Hot Chocolate Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and ensure hot cocoa mix is gluten-free for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Vegan Hot Chocolate Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use vegan marshmallow bits and dairy-free chocolate chips for plant-based alternative.
  • Keto-Friendly Chocolate Cookies: Use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour, replace sugar with erythritol, and incorporate sugar-free chocolate chips and low-carb marshmallow substitutes for ketogenic diet followers.

Pairings for Hot Chocolate Cookies

Complement these decadent hot chocolate cookies with a steaming mug of classic hot cocoa, rich espresso, or creamy chai latte for an indulgent flavor experience.

Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream to enhance the cookies’ rich chocolate notes and provide a delightful temperature contrast.

Combine these cookies with peppermint bark, gingerbread cookies, or marshmallow treats to create a holiday dessert platter that celebrates winter comfort and sweetness.

Select full-bodied red wines like port or dessert wines that have chocolate and caramel undertones to beautifully complement the cookie’s intense chocolate profile.

Proper Storage for Hot Chocolate Cookies

  • Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and delicious flavor.
  • Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum freshness and taste when you're ready to enjoy them later.
  • Store completely cooled cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Add a slice of bread to the container to help maintain moisture and prevent cookies from becoming dry.

FAQs

  • Why use hot cocoa mix in the cookie recipe?

Hot cocoa mix adds a rich, deep chocolate flavor and sweetness to the cookies, creating a unique and delicious taste that regular cocoa powder can’t achieve.

  • Can I use regular marshmallows instead of Mallow Bits?

No, regular marshmallows are not recommended as they become sticky and can melt completely during baking. Mallow Bits are specifically designed to hold their shape and texture in baked goods.

  • Do I really need to chill the dough?

Yes, chilling the dough is crucial. It helps prevent spreading, concentrates the flavors, and creates a better texture by allowing the flour to hydrate and the fats to solidify.

Print
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Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 31 minutes
  • Yield: 48 1x

Description

Chocolate lovers rejoice with these irresistible hot chocolate cookies that blend rich cocoa flavors and marshmallow magic. Warm, gooey centers and crisp edges invite you to savor a delightful winter treat perfect for cozy moments and sweet indulgence.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ⅔ cup brown sugar
  • 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup mallow bits

Dry Flavor Enhancers:

  • 4 packages hot cocoa mix (or ¾ cup hot cocoa mix, not sugar-free)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder

Flavor Additives:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and both sugars using an electric mixer until smooth and airy, creating a light base for the cookie dough.
  2. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition, then blend in vanilla extract to enhance flavor profile.
  3. Separately combine flour, hot cocoa mix, salt, baking soda, and baking powder, whisking thoroughly to distribute leavening agents evenly.
  4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
  5. Gently fold chocolate chips and Mallow Bits into the dough, distributing ingredients uniformly throughout.
  6. Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes to 24 hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop deeper taste complexity.
  7. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper for even heat distribution.
  8. Drop rounded dough portions approximately 2 inches apart, maintaining consistent cookie size for uniform baking.
  9. Bake 9-11 minutes until edges appear golden brown and centers look slightly soft, indicating perfect moisture retention.
  10. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, enabling structural stabilization before transferring to cooling rack.
  11. Cool completely, then store in airtight container for up to 5 days, preserving texture and flavor integrity.

Notes

  • Prevent Spreading by chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes, which helps cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
  • Customize Flavor Profiles by experimenting with different hot cocoa mix brands or flavors, like dark chocolate, mint, or salted caramel, to create unique taste variations.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation can be achieved by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can enjoy these delightful cookies.
  • Storage Hack involves placing a slice of bread in the container with cooled cookies to maintain moisture and softness for several days, keeping them fresh and delectable.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 11 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 48
  • Calories: 146
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 108 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 18 mg
Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Sustainable cooking techniques, Food photography

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Mike studied culinary arts with a strong focus on farm-to-table principles and sustainable cooking. His training emphasized the importance of fresh, local ingredients and environmentally responsible practices in the kitchen.


Mike’s food journey began deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where weekends at farmers’ markets and home-cooked meals sparked a lifelong obsession with simple, seasonal eating.
After earning his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, he set out to bring farm-to-table cooking into everyday kitchens, without the fuss.
Mike’s philosophy is all about keeping it fresh, unfussy, and full of heart. When he’s not crafting new single-serving recipes, he’s hiking mountain trails, chatting with local farmers, or experimenting with wild ingredients in his backyard kitchen.

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