🎉 Introduction

These Hot Chocolate Cookies taste exactly like a warm mug of hot cocoa — but in soft, chewy cookie form. They’re rich, chocolatey, gooey in the center, crispy on the edges, and filled with mini marshmallows that melt beautifully as the cookies bake. Perfect for winter, Christmas baking, cookie boxes, holiday parties, or cozy evenings, these cookies deliver deep cocoa flavor, melted chocolate, and nostalgic hot chocolate vibes in every bite.

🛒 Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 cup Brown sugar, packed
• 2 large Eggs
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract

Chocolate & Marshmallows

• 1 cup Chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk)
• 1 1/2 cups Mini marshmallows
• Optional: 1/2 cup Hot chocolate mix (boosts flavor)

For Topping

• Extra mini marshmallows
• Extra chocolate chips

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Cookie scoop

👩‍🍳 Directions (Form-Steps Style)

🔹 PART 1 — MAKE THE COOKIE DOUGH

Step 1 — Prep the Oven & Pans

• Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2 — Cream Butter & Sugars

• In a bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
• Mix until fluffy and light.

This gives cookies their soft, chewy texture.

Step 3 — Add Eggs & Vanilla

• Add eggs one at a time.
• Mix in vanilla extract.

Step 4 — Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together:

• Flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Add dry mixture to the wet mixture gradually.

Step 5 — Add Chocolate Chips

• Fold in chocolate chips with a spatula.

Step 6 — Add Mini Marshmallows

• Gently fold in mini marshmallows.
  Tip: Freeze marshmallows for 10 minutes to prevent melting too fast.

🔹 PART 2 — SHAPE & BAKE

Step 7 — Scoop Dough

• Use a cookie scoop to portion dough onto baking sheets.
• Leave space — cookies spread.

Step 8 — Add Toppings

Before baking:

• Press a few extra marshmallows and chocolate chips onto each cookie.

This gives them the hot chocolate look.

Step 9 — Bake

• Bake 9–11 minutes.
• Edges should look set; centers soft.

Do NOT overbake — cookies firm up as they cool.

Step 10 — Cool on Rack

• Let cookies rest on the sheet 5 minutes.
• Move to cooling rack.

Cookies become chewy and stable once cooled.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Makes: 20–24 cookies
• Prep: 10 minutes
• Bake: 10 minutes per batch
• Total: ~25 minutes

🧊 Storage

Room Temperature

• Store airtight for 4–5 days.

Freezer

• Freeze the baked cookies up to 2 months.
• Microwave 8 seconds for gooey marshmallows.

Freeze Dough

• Scoop balls and freeze 2 months.
• Bake frozen +2 minutes.

🥄 Variations

1. Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies

Add crushed candy canes and a pinch of peppermint extract.

2. Double Chocolate Cookies

Add 1/4 cup melted chocolate to the dough.

3. White Hot Chocolate Cookies

Use white chocolate chips + white cocoa powder.

4. Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Add a pinch cinnamon + tiny pinch cayenne.

5. S’mores Hot Chocolate Cookies

Add crushed graham crackers + toasted marshmallows.

6. Stuffed Hot Chocolate Cookies

Place a marshmallow in the center before baking.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Why did my marshmallows disappear?

They melted too fast — freeze them before mixing.

2. Why did my cookies spread too much?

Butter was too soft — chill dough 20 minutes.

3. Can I use large marshmallows?

Cut into small pieces, but minis melt best.

4. Do I need to add hot chocolate mix?

Optional — boosts cocoa flavor.

5. Can kids eat these?

Yes — fully alcohol-free and kid-friendly.

6. Can I make them gluten-free?

Use 1:1 gluten-free flour.

7. Why are my cookies dry?

Overbaked — remove when centers look soft.

8. Can I add nuts?

Yes — pecans or walnuts work well.

9. Can I use oil instead of butter?

No — butter gives flavor and structure.

10. Can I decorate with marshmallow frosting?

Yes — adds a “hot cocoa mug” look.

🏁 Conclusion

These Hot Chocolate Cookies capture everything cozy, warm, and comforting about a classic winter drink—rich chocolate, gooey marshmallows, soft centers, and melty chips. They’re easy to make, perfect for the holidays, and guaranteed to be a huge hit with kids and adults. Whether you’re baking them for Christmas trays, cookie exchanges, winter parties, or just because you crave something indulgent, these cookies bring hot cocoa flavor to life in every bite.

Adam

Hot Chocolate Cookies – Soft, Gooey & Loaded with Marshmallows

These Hot Chocolate Cookies taste exactly like a warm mug of hot cocoa — but in soft, chewy cookie form. They’re rich, chocolatey, gooey in the center, crispy on the edges, and filled with mini marshmallows that melt beautifully as the cookies bake. Perfect for winter, Christmas baking, cookie boxes, holiday parties, or cozy evenings, these cookies deliver deep cocoa flavor, melted chocolate, and nostalgic hot chocolate vibes in every bite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

bake time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Dry Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Cocoa powder unsweetened
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Unsalted butter softened
• 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 cup Brown sugar packed
• 2 large Eggs
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract

Chocolate & Marshmallows

• 1 cup Chocolate chips semi-sweet or milk
• 1 1/2 cups Mini marshmallows
• Optional: 1/2 cup Hot chocolate mix boosts flavor

For Topping

• Extra mini marshmallows
• Extra chocolate chips

Equipment

• 🧰 Equipment Needed
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Cooling rack
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Cookie scoop

Method

 

1. 🔹 PART 1 — MAKE THE COOKIE DOUGH

Step 1 — Prep the Oven & Pans

1. Preheat to 350°F (175°C).
2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2 — Cream Butter & Sugars

1. In a bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
2. Mix until fluffy and light.
3. This gives cookies their soft, chewy texture.

Step 3 — Add Eggs & Vanilla

1. Add eggs one at a time.
2. Mix in vanilla extract.

Step 4 — Combine Dry Ingredients

1. Whisk together:
2. Flour
3. Cocoa powder
4. Baking soda
5. Salt
6. Add dry mixture to the wet mixture gradually.

Step 5 — Add Chocolate Chips

1. Fold in chocolate chips with a spatula.

Step 6 — Add Mini Marshmallows

1. Gently fold in mini marshmallows.
2. Tip: Freeze marshmallows for 10 minutes to prevent melting too fast.
3. 🔹 PART 2 — SHAPE & BAKE

Step 7 — Scoop Dough

1. Use a cookie scoop to portion dough onto baking sheets.
2. Leave space — cookies spread.

Step 8 — Add Toppings

1. Before baking:
2. Press a few extra marshmallows and chocolate chips onto each cookie.
3. This gives them the hot chocolate look.

Step 9 — Bake

1. Bake 9–11 minutes.
2. Edges should look set; centers soft.
3. Do NOT overbake — cookies firm up as they cool.

Step 10 — Cool on Rack

1. Let cookies rest on the sheet 5 minutes.
2. Move to cooling rack.
3. Cookies become chewy and stable once cooled.

Notes

🧊 Storage
Room Temperature

Store airtight for 4–5 days.

Freezer

Freeze the baked cookies up to 2 months.

Microwave 8 seconds for gooey marshmallows.

Freeze Dough

Scoop balls and freeze 2 months.

Bake frozen +2 minutes.

🥄 Variations
1. Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies

Add crushed candy canes and a pinch of peppermint extract.

2. Double Chocolate Cookies

Add 1/4 cup melted chocolate to the dough.

3. White Hot Chocolate Cookies

Use white chocolate chips + white cocoa powder.

4. Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

Add a pinch cinnamon + tiny pinch cayenne.

5. S’mores Hot Chocolate Cookies

Add crushed graham crackers + toasted marshmallows.

6. Stuffed Hot Chocolate Cookies

Place a marshmallow in the center before baking.

❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why did my marshmallows disappear?

They melted too fast — freeze them before mixing.

2. Why did my cookies spread too much?

Butter was too soft — chill dough 20 minutes.

3. Can I use large marshmallows?

Cut into small pieces, but minis melt best.

4. Do I need to add hot chocolate mix?

Optional — boosts cocoa flavor.

5. Can kids eat these?

Yes — fully alcohol-free and kid-friendly.

6. Can I make them gluten-free?

Use 1:1 gluten-free flour.

7. Why are my cookies dry?

Overbaked — remove when centers look soft.

8. Can I add nuts?

Yes — pecans or walnuts work well.

9. Can I use oil instead of butter?

No — butter gives flavor and structure.

10. Can I decorate with marshmallow frosting?

Yes — adds a “hot cocoa mug” look.

🏁 Conclusion

These Hot Chocolate Cookies capture everything cozy, warm, and comforting about a classic winter drink—rich chocolate, gooey marshmallows, soft centers, and melty chips. They’re easy to make, perfect for the holidays, and guaranteed to be a huge hit with kids and adults. Whether you’re baking them for Christmas trays, cookie exchanges, winter parties, or just because you crave something indulgent, these cookies bring hot cocoa flavor to life in every bite.