Description
These Hot Chocolate Cookies are a festive winter treat, combining rich hot cocoa flavor with chocolate chips and marshmallow bits. Perfect for cookie exchanges or holiday gatherings, these easy-to-make cookies are always a crowd favorite. They bring the warmth of hot chocolate into a delicious cookie form that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Butter (softened) – 1 cup
Sugar – 1 cup
Brown Sugar – 2/3 cup
Eggs – 2 large
Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon
All-purpose Flour – 3 1/4 cups*
Hot Cocoa Mix – 4 packages (or 3/4 cup) – NOT sugar-free versions
Salt – 1 teaspoon
Baking Soda – 1 teaspoon
Baking Powder – 2 teaspoons
Chocolate Chips – 1 cup
Mallow Bits – 1 cup (mini marshmallows can be used but they can be messy)
Instructions
Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugars together with a stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, hot cocoa mix, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and blend until fully incorporated.
Add Chocolate Chips & Mallow Bits: Stir in the chocolate chips and Mallow Bits until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Chill Dough: Cover the dough and chill it for at least 30 minutes, but up to 24 hours for enhanced flavor and texture.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Drop about 2 tablespoons of dough, 2 inches apart, onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Dough Consistency: The dough may seem dry and thick, but don’t worry! A dry dough is normal for this recipe and will result in a soft, chewy cookie. Avoid adding extra liquid.
Cookie Texture: For flatter cookies, use 3 cups of flour. For a more compact and taller cookie, use 3 1/4 cups flour and chill the dough for longer than 30 minutes.
Measuring Flour: Be sure to stir the flour, then spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off. Never scoop the flour directly with the measuring cup.
Hot Cocoa Mix: Use a standard hot cocoa mix (like Swiss Miss). Avoid flavored or sugar-free cocoa mixes, as they could alter the texture and taste of the cookies.
Mallow Bits Tips: If Mallow Bits are difficult to find, purchase hot cocoa mixes with marshmallows already included. If you notice the Mallow Bits melting during baking, try adding them after chilling the dough.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
