Oh, the cozy magic of a steaming mug of hot cocoa! It just warms you from the inside out, right? Well, imagine capturing all that comfort in a bite-sized treat. That’s exactly what these Hot Cocoa Cookies are all about! They’re seriously fudgy, deeply chocolatey, and have these adorable little pockets of marshmallow that just melt your heart (and maybe your cookie, in the best way possible). I remember making a batch on a super chilly day, and the smell alone was enough to make everything feel right in the world. They’re just the perfect little hug in cookie form!
Why You’ll Love These Hot Cocoa Cookies
Seriously, these cookies are a dream! You’re gonna want to whip up a batch of these Hot Cocoa Cookies because:
- They’re SO easy to make! We’re talking simple ingredients and a straightforward process.
- That rich, chocolatey flavor with melty marshmallow bits is pure heaven.
- They’re the perfect treat for cozy nights in or sharing at holiday parties.
- You can whip them up super fast – perfect for a last-minute craving!
Gather Your Ingredients for Hot Cocoa Cookies
Alright, let’s get our baking station ready! To make sure these Hot Cocoa Cookies turn out absolutely divine, make sure you have all these goodies on hand. Having everything prepped makes the whole process a breeze, trust me!
You’ll need:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (just your everyday baking flour works wonders!)
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (the richer, the better, honestly)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (that’s two sticks!) of unsalted butter, nice and softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows (these are key for that signature hot cocoa vibe!)
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (because is it ever really too much chocolate?)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Hot Cocoa Cookies
Alright, let’s get down to business! Making these Hot Cocoa Cookies is honestly super straightforward. The most important thing is not to overmix the dough, especially after you add the flour. We want tender cookies, not tough ones! So, pay attention to those gentle folds and short mixing times. It makes all the difference, trust me.
Preparing Your Dough for Hot Cocoa Cookies
First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab a couple of baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This makes cleanup a breeze and stops our yummy cookies from sticking! Now, in a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Just give ’em a good swirl until they’re all friends. In a separate, bigger bowl, cream together your softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat them until the mixture is light and fluffy – it should look almost like pale yellow whipped cream. Then, beat in your eggs one at a time, followed by that splash of vanilla extract. You’re building the perfect base!
Baking Your Perfect Hot Cocoa Cookies
Now, it’s time to bring it all together! Gradually add those dry ingredients to your wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined. Seriously, stop mixing as soon as you don’t see any more streaks of flour. Overmixing is the enemy of tender cookies! Next, gently fold in those adorable mini marshmallows and the chocolate chips. That’s it for the dough! Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto your parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between them because they will spread a bit. Pop them in the oven for about 10-12 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be set, but the centers should still feel a little soft. They’ll firm up as they cool! Let them hang out on the baking sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Resist the urge to dive in too soon – the wait is worth it!
Tips for the Best Hot Cocoa Cookies Every Time
Okay, besides just following the recipe (which is pretty foolproof, if I do say so myself!), here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up to make these Hot Cocoa Cookies absolutely sing. Little things can make a big difference!
- Ingredient Temperature Matters: Make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted. If it’s too cold, you won’t get that lovely fluffy texture when you cream it with the sugar, and that’s the foundation for a good cookie. I usually leave mine on the counter for about an hour before I start.
- Don’t Overbake! This is probably my biggest tip. For that perfectly chewy, almost fudgy center, you want to pull these cookies out when the edges look set but the middle still looks a little soft. They continue to bake and firm up on the hot baking sheet, so trust that visual cue! It’s like the secret to the best chocolate chip cookies too!
- Marshmallow Placement: For an extra gooey surprise, try pressing a few extra mini marshmallows on top of the dough balls right before they go into the oven. They’ll puff up and create little gooey pockets on the surface. Just a fun little trick!
- Cocoa Powder Power: Use a good quality unsweetened cocoa powder. It really makes a difference in the depth of flavor. Dutch-processed cocoa will give you a darker color and a smoother, less acidic taste, which I think is just divine for these cookies.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Sometimes you’re mid-bake and realize you’re missing something, or maybe you just want to tweak things a bit! For these Hot Cocoa Cookies, most ingredients are pretty standard, but let’s chat about the cocoa and marshmallows.
Any unsweetened cocoa powder will work, but if you can get your hands on Dutch-processed, go for it! It gives a darker color and a smoother, less bitter flavor that’s just perfect for that rich hot cocoa taste. As for the mini marshmallows, they’re key for those gooey pockets. If you don’t have minis, you can snip up regular marshmallows (just be careful with sticky scissors!). Just know they might melt a bit differently.
Serving and Storing Your Hot Cocoa Cookies
These Hot Cocoa Cookies are pure bliss served warm, with a big glass of cold milk or, even better, alongside a cozy mug of hot chocolate (and maybe even one of these amazing hot chocolate bombs!). Once they’ve cooled completely, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay wonderfully fresh for about 3 days – though they rarely last that long in my house!
Frequently Asked Questions about Hot Cocoa Cookies
Got questions about these fudgy delights? You’re not alone! I get asked a bunch about these Hot Cocoa Cookies, so here are some of the most common ones I hear.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
You know, because it’s a pretty standard cookie recipe, it’s not super straightforward to just swap things out and make them perfectly vegan without testing. You’d need to swap the butter for a vegan butter stick and the eggs for a vegan egg replacer, but the marshmallows are trickier. Many mini marshmallows aren’t vegan. You’d be better off looking for a recipe specifically designed to be vegan if that’s your goal!
Why are my Hot Cocoa Cookies flat?
Oh, flat cookies are such a bummer, right? Usually, this happens if your butter was too soft or even melted when you creamed it with the sugar. That’s what gives the cookies their lift! Also, make sure you’re not overmixing the dough, especially after adding the flour. And baking soda needs to be fresh, so check that expiration date!
How long do Hot Cocoa Cookies last?
These Hot Cocoa Cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they do keep pretty well. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they should stay nice and soft for about 3 days. They might get a little more chocolatey as they sit, which isn’t a bad thing at all!
Can I add different mix-ins?
Absolutely! While the marshmallows and chocolate chips are classic for a reason, feel free to experiment! A little bit of peppermint extract could be lovely, or maybe some chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts if that’s your jam. Just remember not to go overboard with the mix-ins, or the cookies might not hold their shape as well!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, so when we’re talking about these yummy Hot Cocoa Cookies, remember that nutrition facts are always just an estimate! It really depends on the brands you use and exactly how big you make each cookie. But, as a general idea, one cookie has about 180 calories. You’ll also find around 9g of fat, 23g of carbs, and about 2g of protein, with roughly 18g of sugar in each one. Happy munching!
Print
Hot Cocoa Cookies
- Total Time: 32 min
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Rich chocolate cookies with a hint of marshmallow, perfect for a cozy treat.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Gently fold in the mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For an extra chocolatey flavor, you can dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: hot cocoa cookies, chocolate cookies, marshmallow cookies, easy cookies, holiday cookies