Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe (2024)

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This Hot Chocolate Cookies recipe is like having a cup of hot cocoa, except in cookie form. Chocolate oozes from the centers of these marshmallow-topped treats. These rich cookies are perfect for holiday parties and dessert trays!

Why This Recipe Works

I’m super excited to share a brand new cookie recipe with you later this week, but for now you are going to LOVE this updated recipe for the irresistible Hot Cocoa Cookies.

These Hot Cocoa Cookies were one of the first cookies I put up on my blog a million years ago and it is one of the best cookies my lips have ever met. (This is say a lot considering the whole Cookie Remix ordeal.)

Watch The Web Story For Hot Cocoa Cookies!

Make a batch of hot cocoa in cookie form for your holiday cookie exchange!

How To Make Hot Cocoa Cookies

A comforting batch of cookies to nibble on when its cold and you want to think about being warm and enjoy eating a cookie!

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and 6 oz. chopped chocolate, stirring frequently, over medium heat. Set aside.

Step 2

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl with a hand mixer), combine the brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract and beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy.

Add the chocolate mixture and beat until just combined.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Mix well. Gradually add to the batter and beat on medium speed until just combined.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.

Step 4

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Recipe Notes

Make sure you refrigerate the batter for a minimum of 1 hour before rolling into balls and baking. DON’T SKIP THIS STEP!
Use whole regular-sized marshmallows in a pinch, but if the jumbo variety is available please-oh-please use them.
For a more economical cookie, consider replacing the baking chocolate with equal amounts of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Replace the large marshmallow you place on top of each cookie with a few mini marshmallows or marshmallow bits.
Add 2 tablespoons of hot chocolate mix to the batter for an even more flavorful and delicious cookie.

Salted Butter vs Unsalted Butter

Ahh, the great baking debate. Many bakers use unsalted butter in their baked goods in order to avoid over-salting. I, however, believe that there is no such thing as “over-salting.”

I always use salted butter in my baked goods (and for everything else under the sun) because it gives everything I make an extra touch of salty deliciousness.

If you go the unsalted route, keep in mind that you may need to add a bit extra salt to the recipe!

Why Are My Cookies Flat

If your cookies are coming out of the oven looking flat, you either haven’t used the appropriate leavening agents (baking powder or baking soda) or you have used too little flour.

If the cookies are flat and greasy, you may have used too much butter. Follow baking recipes very closely to avoid making flat cookies!

How To Keep Cookies Soft

For optimal cookie softness, allow them to cool completely after coming out of the oven and store as stated in the directions. Some cookies store best in the fridge while others store well while covered at room temperature.

Can You Freeze Cookie Dough

Cookie dough is PERFECT for freezing! It’s one of the things I love most about it. Place prepared cookie dough into a resealable freezer bag and press as much air out as possible.

Freeze for up to six months. When you are ready to make the cookies, allow the dough to thaw completely in the fridge overnight then bake as directed.

How To Clean Cookie Sheets

If you have extra grimy cookie sheets, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the surface and cover with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for 1 hour and scrub the surface using a dish scrubber. Wash with dish soap!

Can Dogs Eat Chocolate

Chocolate and cocoa products can kill a dog if eaten in large enough quantities. Theobromine is the part of chocolate that dogs are unable to metabolize which can build up in their systems and die as a result.

Holiday Baking Recipes

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These delicious, sugary pecan balls SCREAM Christmas! Pecans and just 4 additional ingredients are rolled into a soft cloud of powdered sugar to create cookies that are light and delicious.
This Baileys Irish Cream recipe tastes like a replica of the popular creamy drink. It is super easy to make and it’s an indulgent winter staple!
Say goodbye to boring and hello to sprinkles and color! These Spiral Cookies are fun! Red for Christmas, pink for a girl party or blue for pool-side snacks. They’ll make any occasion brighter and more fun!
These are the BEST Gingerbread Cookies you’ll find! Super easy to make and loved by everyone. Great for the holidays!

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Hot Chocolate Cookies Recipe

This Hot Chocolate Cookies recipe is like having a cup of hot cocoa, except in cookie form. Perfect for holiday parties or dessert trays!

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 30

Calories: 172kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

▢ 1/2 cup salted butter softened
▢ 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate baking squares divided (6 oz for batter, 4 oz cut into 1/2 in squares, 2 oz grated for garnish)
▢ 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
▢ 3 large eggs
▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract
▢ 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
▢ 1/4 cup cocoa powder
▢ 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
▢ 1 tsp salt
▢ 15 jumbo marshmallows cut in half lengthwise

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and 6 oz. chopped chocolate, stirring frequently, over medium heat. Set aside.
Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract and beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add the chocolate mixture and beat until just combined.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Mix well. Gradually add to the batter and beat on medium speed until just combined. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line 3 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon, scoop the dough and roll between your palms to form 1-inch balls. Arrange the balls 2 inches apart on each cookie sheet, flattening slightly using fingers. Bake until the tops of the cookies begin to crinkle, 10-11 minutes.
Gently press one square of baking chocolate into the center of each cookie, followed by a marshmallow half. Bake for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until marshmallows are soft and puffy. Top with grated chocolate.

Notes

Make sure you refrigerate the batter for a minimum of 1 hour before rolling into balls and baking. DON’T SKIP THIS STEP!
Use whole regular-sized marshmallows in a pinch, but if the jumbo variety is available please-oh-please use them.
For a more economical cookie, consider replacing the baking chocolate with equal amounts of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Replace the large marshmallow you place on top of each cookie with a few mini marshmallows or marshmallow bits.
Add 2 tablespoons of hot chocolate mix to the batter for an even more flavorful and delicious cookie.

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

FAQs

What is the secret to chewy cookies? ›

Cornstarch helps product soft and thick cookies. Using more brown sugar than white sugar results in a moister, softer cookie. An extra egg yolk increases chewiness. Rolling the cookie dough balls to be tall and lumpy instead of wide and smooth gives the cookies a bakery-style textured thickness.

What can I add to hot chocolate to make it better? ›

A quick and easy way to add flavor to your hot chocolate is by adding a splash of your favorite extract. Coconut and almond extracts lend hot chocolate an Almond Joy-like taste, while vanilla adds dimension to the chocolate flavor. Peppermint extract instantly gives the drink a holiday flair.

Know More ›

Can I use hot chocolate powder instead of cocoa powder? ›

In short, you can use hot chocolate powder as a cocoa powder substitute in a pinch, but you may not experience the depth of flavour you want. Because most brands of hot chocolate powder include sugar or sweetener, you may wish to reduce the amount of sugar you add to your baking recipe.

Read On ›

What is a substitute for marshmallows in hot chocolate? ›

Caramel, Butterscotch or Dulce de Leche

We love these sticky sweet toppings. You can add their sweetness and flavor to your favorite cocoa. Just stir in a spoonful into your favorite mix or homemade cocoa recipe.

Learn More Now ›

What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft? ›

If you enjoy your cookies soft and chewy, chances are likely the recipe contains a common ingredient that serves a very specific purpose. No, it's not granulated sugar, nor the butter. It's not the egg, all-purpose flour, or even the vanilla extract. The simple, yet oh-so-necessary component is cornstarch.

Show Me More ›

How do I make my cookies chewy instead of crunchy? ›

What ingredients make for a chewy rather than a crunchy cookie? - Quora. Eggs, brown sugar and a fat mix of 50/50 butter and shortening are some of the ingredients that will help make a cookie chewier. Also, fluff the flour with a whisk before measuring it — too much flour will make a cookie dry.

View Details ›

What is difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate? ›

Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream. Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.

Read On ›

Does milk make hot chocolate better? ›

The presence of milk didn't hinder the hot chocolate in any way, nor did it significantly amplify the flavor. While you might have anticipated flavor to be the biggest difference, the most notable difference was in the texture and relative thickness of the drink compared to the other two we had just sampled.

Get More Info Here ›

Does adding milk to hot chocolate make it better? ›

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.

Does hot chocolate powder expire? ›

The short answer is yes, it can. While the powder typically has a long shelf life, it's not immune to spoilage. Typically, it lasts for around two years if you take care to store it properly. However, over time, its quality may degrade, resulting in changes in flavor, texture, and aroma.

Tell Me More ›

Can you use hot chocolate powder after expiration date? ›

Consuming expired hot chocolate powder can potentially make you ill, although it's relatively rare if the product has been stored correctly. Hot chocolate powder usually has a long shelf life and often remains safe to consume after its best-before date, but its flavour and texture might be compromised.

View Details ›

Why do Americans put marshmallows in hot chocolate? ›

Sweetness: Hot chocolate can be sweet, but the addition of marshmallows enhances the overall sweetness. The marshmallows melt slightly when placed in the hot liquid, releasing their sweetness and creating a harmonious balance with the chocolate.

Why do mini marshmallows melt in hot chocolate? ›

When put into hot chocolate, the marshmallow doesn't really melt, it dissolves. And because sugar is water-soluble, the confection begins to collapse. But as we all know from experience, the marshmallow doesn't dissolve totally. This is due to the coagulated gelatin which is not water-soluble.

Discover More ›

What drink is similar to hot chocolate? ›

Smart Substitutes for Traditional Hot Chocolate

Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa.
Mexican Atole.
Anijsmelk.
Lebanese White Coffee.
Yuanyang Tea.

Feb 13, 2020

What are 3 factors that contribute to a chewy cookie? ›

There are a few things you can try to get soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies:

Use a higher ratio of brown sugar to white sugar. ...
Use more egg yolks and less egg whites. ...
Add a bit of cornstarch to the dough. ...
Make sure you're using the right type of flour. ...
Don't over-bake the cookies.

May 17, 2018

Read The Full Story ›

What factors cause a cookie to be crisp soft and chewy? ›

The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.

Read On ›

Why are my cookies hard instead of chewy? ›

Hard cookies: you are over mixing, baking too long, baking at too high a temperature, or some combination of these. Cakey cookies: not enough brown sugar, too much or too little egg, too much flour, maybe you used baking powder instead of baking soda?

Keep Reading ›