Hot Cocoa Cookies - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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These hot cocoa cookies are the perfect treat for the winter season! These soft and delicious cookies have a marshmallow on top and some ooey, gooey chocolate in the middle. You will be won’t be able to stop at just one!

Cookies, especially holiday cookies, are some of the best things that we make all season long. There are SO many different varieties to choose from but the long standing favorites in our household are these Grinch Cookies, these yummy Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies or, my very favorite… Italian Christmas Cookies!

Hot Cocoa Cookies - The Recipe Critic (1)

What are Hot Cocoa Cookies?

These little hot cocoa cookies are packed with chocolate and cocoa. These cookies are topped with a gooey marshmallow and baked to perfection. Just when you think they are just about perfect, you hit the melted chocolate in the center of the cookie. It really represents a cup of hot cocoa perfectly! Needless to say…These were an instant family hit at our house!

Not only are these cookies insanely delicious, but they are simple as well! you probably already have all of the ingredients at home, and trust me… Once you start making them, you will always have the ingredients to make hot chocolate cookies at home because they are SO good! These are perfect for any occasion and are always a hit at a holiday cookie exchange. For more delicious holiday cookies, check out this roundup here.

Ingredients For the Best Hot Cocoa Cookies

These easy hot cocoa cookies are deliciously sweet and so fun to make! You will be very familiar with the ingredients and have most of them on hand. The marshmallows and melted chocolate take these cookies to the next level!Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

  • Unsalted Butter: Butter helps the melting of the chocolate.
  • Semisweet Chocolate Bars: Semisweet chocolate is the best in these cookies. Chocolate chips can be used as well.
  • Flour: I used all purpose flour in this recipe.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds richness and more delicious chocolate flavor.
  • Baking Powder: This helps your cookies rise (no one wants flat cookies)!
  • Salt: The salt balances out the sweetness of the cookie and also enhances all of the flavors of the other ingredients.
  • Light Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds richness to these cookies.
  • Eggs: Room-temperature eggs are best.
  • Vanilla Extract: Vanilla is a must in cookies and enhances chocolate flavors.
  • Marshmallows: Cut the marshmallows in half… They will get nice and fluffy in the oven.
  • Semisweet Chocolate Bars: The melted chocolate on top is so yummy!

How to Make Hot Cocoa Cookies

Grab your kiddos and make these fun hot cocoa cookies for the holidays or any time of year! This recipe is easy to follow and comes together quickly. Follow my easy instructions below for how to make hot cocoa cookies.

Make Dough

  1. Melt the Butter and Chocolate: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and chopped chocolate over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Once melted, then remove the saucepan from the burner and allow it to cool for 15 minutes.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth using an electric hand mixer.
  4. Add Melted Chocolate Into the Wet Mixture: Add the cooled melted chocolate and mix to combine.
  5. Add the Dry Ingredients: Add the dry flour ingredients in two batches into the dough. The dough will be almost like a thick cake batter consistency.
  6. Cover and Chill: Cover with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

Bake

  1. Form Balls: Once the dough is chilled then you can line the baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on the parchment paper. Flatten the tops slightly.
  2. Bake: Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 minutes or until the cookie edges start to crack.
  3. Cut Marshmallows and Chocolate: While they are baking, cut the marshmallows in half. Stick one square of chocolate onto each cut side of the marshmallows. It will be on the sticky side, so the chocolate piece will stay in place.
  4. Place Marshmallows and Chocolate onto Hot Cookies: Remove the hot cocoa cookies from the oven. While still on the baking sheet then stick a marshmallow with the chocolate piece side down on top of each cookie. Then, place the cookies back into the oven for about four additional minutes until the marshmallows are soft.
  5. Cool and Enjoy: Remove from the oven and transfer to cooling racks to cool. Grate additional chocolate over the top for garnish if you would like!
Hot Cocoa Cookies - The Recipe Critic (2)

Variations

When I find something that I love (and I love these hot cocoa cookies), then I always want to figure out different ways to switch it up so that I can make it all the time! Here are a few ideas for keeping this recipe unique each time.

  • Toppings: I love drizzling on white chocolate sauce, yummy caramel sauce, or chocolate sauce. You can also top it with festive sprinkles or grated chocolate to make them perfect for the holiday season!
  • Mix-Ins: If you want these hot cocoa cookies to be extra rich, then go ahead and add some mini white chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, or some toffee bits to the dough. You will taste them in every single bite!
Hot Cocoa Cookies - The Recipe Critic (3)

How to Store Leftover Cookies

These hot cocoa cookies are easy to make ahead of time and make fantastic leftovers. Once your cookies have cooled, then you can place them in an airtight container and store them on your counter at room temperature. They should last about 3-4 days!

More Delicious Hot Cocoa Recipes

Hot cocoa is delicious whether the flavor comes from a cookie or a drink or any other form! Here are some more delicious hot cocoa recipes that you must try throughout the cold season. You will be making them all winter long!

Beverages

Hot Chocolate Charcuterie

15 mins

Beverages

Frozen Hot Chocolate

5 mins

Beverages

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate

8 mins

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Hot Cocoa Cookies

By: Alyssa Rivers

These hot cocoa cookies are the perfect treat for the winter season! These soft and delicious cookies have a marshmallow on top and some ooey, gooey chocolate in the middle. You will be won't be able to stop at just one!

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 12 ounces semisweet chocolate bars chopped (or semisweet chocolate chips)
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar packed
  • 3 eggs at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 12 marshmallows cut in half
  • 7.5 ounce semisweet chocolate bars cut into ½ inch squares

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and chopped chocolate over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Once melted, remove the saucepan from the burner and allow it to cool for 15 minutes.

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.

  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth using an electric hand mixer.

  • Add the cooled melted chocolate and mix to combine.

  • Add the dry flour ingredients in two batches into the dough. The dough will be almost like a thick cake batter consistency.

  • Cover with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

  • Once the dough is chilled, line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on the parchment paper. Flatten the tops slightly.

  • Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 minutes or until the cookie edges start to crack.

  • While they are baking, cut the marshmallows in half. Stick one square of chocolate onto each cut side of the marshmallows. It will be on the sticky side so that the chocolate piece will stay in place.

  • Remove the cookies from the oven. While still on the baking sheet, stick a marshmallow with the chocolate piece side down on top of each cookie. Place the cookies back into the oven for about four additional minutes until the marshmallows are soft.

  • Remove from the oven and transfer to cooling racks to cool. Grate additional chocolate over the top for garnish if would like!

Notes

Originally Posted on December 29, 2013

Updated on December 1, 2022

Nutrition

Calories: 261kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 3gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 41mgPotassium: 202mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 159IUCalcium: 41mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

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Hot Cocoa Cookies - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What is the mixture of chocolate drink? ›

Hot chocolate, also known as hot cocoa or drinking chocolate, is a heated drink consisting of shaved or melted chocolate or cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and usually a sweetener. It is often garnished with whipped cream or marshmallows.

How old is cocoa cookie run? ›

Cocoa Cookie is an Epic-grade Cookie that debuted on November 30, 2016, alongside her Pet, Marshmallow Hamster.

What is the personality of cocoa cookie? ›

Personality. Cocoa Cookie is a very kind, sweet person who really cares about her fellow Cookies. She tries her best to help other people whenever possible, even if she has something else to do and helping could interrupt that.

Is hot chocolate a solution or mixture? ›

Well-stirred hor chocolate is a suspension as it is prepared by mixing chocolate with hot water and milk. A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture that is distributed throughout in another phase. After stirring the hot chocolate well, the chocolate settles down at bottom of a cup, and therefore, it is a suspension.

What is the best cocoa powder for hot chocolate? ›

Unsweetened cocoa powder: a high-quality cocoa powder or cacao powder is essential. I highly recommend using Ghirardelli's 100% cocoa. I think it has the best flavor for hot chocolate (and trust me, I've tried quite a few!)

Is hot chocolate better with milk or water? ›

Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.

Is Strawberry Cookie a girl? ›

Strawberry Cookie (Korean: 딸기맛 쿠키, ttalgi-mat kuki) is a major deuteragonist of Cookie Run: Kingdom and a Common Cookie available since launch. She is of the Defense type and her position is prioritized to the Front.

Is White Choco Cookie a girl? ›

White Choco Cookie is an Epic-grade Cookie that debuted on April 9, 2018, alongside her Pet, Pocket Watch Referee. She is a cool and skilled Cookie swordswoman who is popular with her female fans.

How old is pink choco cookie? ›

Pink Choco Cookie is an Epic-grade Cookie that debuted on February 12, 2018, alongside her Pet, Pink Candy. She is a cute Cookie who is a fan of love and spreading love.

Is hot cocoa Cookie good? ›

Really truly, these hot chocolate cookies are incredible. The flavor that the hot cocoa contributes is pretty amazing, they do not taste like “another chocolate cookie” if you will, they taste like a cup of hot chocolate.

Is Cocoa Cookie a girl? ›

Cocoa Cookie (Korean: 코코아맛 쿠키, kokoa-mat kuki) is an Epic Cookie released in the second part of the Frost Witch and the Lantern in the Snow update (v2. 5). She is of the Defense type and her position is prioritized to the Front.

Is vanilla Cookie a girl or boy? ›

Pure Vanilla Cookie is a male cookie with tortilla brown skin color, blond hairs, white eyebrows, a star symbol on his forehead and having his eyes commonly closed making him possibly blind.

Why does my hot chocolate split? ›

Most probably temperature. Either too hot/too quickly, or if the chocolate contains both cocoa butter and a vegetable fat (which the article says), the likelihood is that they will have different melting points (which the article doesn't make clear) and may be the problem.

Why is hot chocolate better with milk? ›

Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.

Is chocolate drink a hom*ogeneous mixture? ›

Is chocolate milk a solution compound element or a heterogeneous mixture? It is a hom*ogeneous mixture. It is a mixture of water, milk (lactose + milk protein, etc.), chocolate (about 450 distinct chemical compounds) and sugar. It is hom*ogeneous because, its composition will be same throughout the bulk.

Is chocolate drink a heterogeneous mixture? ›

Answer: chocolate milk would be a hom*ogeneous mixture. Explanation: Since there are two components, chocolate and milk, and when they are mixed together there is no obvious separation of the two substances, everything is uniform.

What type of mixture is chocolate milk? ›

Chocolate Milk would be classified as a colloid. A colloid is an intermediate step between hom*ogeneous and heterogeneous. The mixture will look flush and hom*ogeneous but if you let the chocolate milk sit then the chocolate will fall to the bottom and the mixture will now look heterogeneous.

How did the Mayans make the chocolate drink? ›

Mayan chocolate was a revered brew made of roasted and ground cacao seeds mixed with chilies, water and cornmeal. Mayans poured this mixture from one pot to another, creating a thick foamy beverage called “xocolatl”, meaning “bitter water.” By the 15th century, the Aztecs used cocoa beans as currency.

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