Hot Chocolate Cookies (2024)

Hot Chocolate Cookies are soft and chewy, loaded with classic hot chocolate ingredients, and is so easy to make. In just 20 minutes, you can take a bite into a warm and gooey hot cocoa cookie packed with chocolate and marshmallows. It's the perfect cookie recipe to make when a sugar craving hits at the last minute (no chilling required!).

Hot chocolate is arguably one of the most popular drinks in the world, and when you combine it with the most popular cookie (chocolate chip cookie), it's bound to be good. Hot cocoa cookies are similar to chocolate chip cookies except they have even more chocolate. We add real hot chocolate mix and cocoa powder, switch out the chocolate chips for chopped chocolate, and add marshmallows of course. These cookies are a hot chocolate lover's dream dessert.

Why You'll Love these Hot Chocolate Cookies

• Hot chocolate in cookie form. Hot chocolate is all about the chocolate and marshmallows, and these cookies feature it all — actual hot chocolate mix, fluffy marshmallows, and decadent chocolate. And it’s brought to you in cookie form!
• Rich chocolatey flavor. Chocolate chip cookies are great, but hot chocolate cookies are even better, and require a few simple change. Hot chocolate mix and cocoa powder changes the cookie base into a cocoa flavored chocolate on, that pairs perfectly with chopped chocolate and ooey gooey marshmallows.
• They’re so quick. Ever been struck by a last minute sweet craving? Well, lucky for you these hot cocoa cookies fit the bill. This recipe is ready in less than 20 minutes, from prep to table using a few simply pantry staples. You only need to wait about 10 excruciating minutes until your cookies are done baking.
• Easy and simple. These chocolate cookies come together in just a few easy steps: cream the butter and sugar, add the remaining wet ingredients, mix in the dry ingredients, fold in the mix ins, shape the cookies, bake, and add toppings!

Ingredient Notes

To make these cozy Hot Chocolate Cookies, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• unsalted butter - bringing the butter up to room temperature is crucial when it comes to creaming the butter and sugars properly otherwise the cookies will overly spread. We also use unsalted butter for more control over the flavor in this recipe, but if you only have salted butter — use it and omit the salt called for in the recipe.
• sugar - you will need both light brown sugar and granulated sugar in this recipe.
• eggs
• vanilla extract - vanilla bean paste can also be substituted at a 1:1 ratio.
• all-purpose flour
• hot chocolate mix - this is what gives these cookies their iconic hot cocoa flavor.
• cocoa powder - use an unsweetened natural cocoa powder so the cookies don’t get over-sweetened. You can also use Dutch process cocoa powder, but the flavor will be richer and color will be darker.
• baking soda
• salt - if you choose to use salted butter in this recipe, omit the salt here.
• chocolate - semi-sweet chocolate will balance the sweetness in these cookies well. You can also use semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of chopped chocolate, or even dark chocolate chips or white chocolate chips.
• mini marshmallows - the mini marshmallows melt in the cookie dough making them extra gooey (and also why we add the marshmallows on top after the cookies have been baked). If you want a more solid look mixed throughout, use mallow bits which do not melt.

Equipment Needed

You will also need the following kitchen tools and equipment:

• measuring cups and spoons
• mixing bowls
• hand mixerorstand mixer
• cookie scoop
• half sheet baking panandsilicone baking mat(orparchment paper)
• wire cooling rack

How to Make the Best Hot Chocolate Cookies

1. Combine wet ingredients. In a largemixing bowl, use ahand mixerorstand mixercream together butter and sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, and beat on low until incorporated.

2. Add dry ingredients. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, hot chocolate mix, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat until just combined.

3. Add mix ins. Fold in 1 cup of the chopped chocolate and ½ cup mini marshmallows.

4. Scoop cookie balls. Line a large half sheetbaking traywith asilicone baking matorparchment paper. Use a mediumcookie scoopto scoop out 2 tablespoons of cookie dough. Use your hands to roll it into a ball. Place the cookie balls onto the lined baking sheet,spaced at least 2 inches apart (you can fit about 6-8 on a large cookie sheet).

5. Bake. Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, until edges just start to brown. Do not overbake. The cookies may not look done in the middle, but they will continue to cook as they are cooling.
6. Add toppings. Remove from oven and allow the cookies to cool in the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then carefully press in the extra ½ cup chopped chocolate and ½ cup mini marshmallows into the top of the cookies. Transfer to awire cooling rackto cool completely.

How to Serve

Serve these Hot Chocolate Cookies warm out of the oven or at room-temperature. I personally love them warm and gooey so that the chocolate and marshmallows start to soften and melt. They are especially delicious served warm with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream. You need to try it!

You can also double down on the flavor and serve them warm with a cup of Peppermint Hot Chocolate or White Hot Chocolate.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Store leftover hot chocolate cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also store them in the fridge for up to one month, but they may lose some of their chewiness. To add moisture back in, reheat the refrigerated cookies on a microwave-safe plate for 5-15 seconds until warm or in the air fryer at 300F for about a minute.

How to Freeze

Hot chocolate cookies freeze well both baked and before baking. To freeze baked cookies, let them cool completely first, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, allow them to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat or place on the counter to bring them up to room temperature (about 15-20 minutes).

How to Freeze Cookie Dough

To freeze hot chocolate cookie dough before baking, scoop out the cookie balls and place on the lined baking sheet. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and freeze for 1 hour until hard. Then, transfer the cookie dough balls into afreezer bagand store for up to 3 months. To bake, thaw the cookie dough balls in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature until thawed. Then, bake according to recipe instructions.

More Cookie Recipes

• 50 Best Cookie Recipes
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Coffee Cookies
• S'mores Cookies
• Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

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