Hot Cocoa Cookies

These Hot Cocoa Cookies are my JAM. Everything you could want in such a small package. Allllll the most mouthwatering textures in a single bite. And all of the flavors of the Christmas season. They’re kind of perfect!

Plus it’s a pretty simple and straightforward recipe to make. Like I mentioned in the Recipe Rundown, you can use your broiler to toast the marshmallows but I find a kitchen torch gives you way more control. And it’s more fun. Maybe this is the year to add one to your Christmas wishlist?

This recipe actually comes from my digital cookbook Tessa’s Christmas Cookies. It has all of my go-to holiday cookie recipes plus fun gift packaging ideas. There’s also a bonus kit of Christmas Cookie Exchange printables! Click here to see more.

How to make

Hot Cocoa Cookies

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (191 grams) all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup (32 grams) hot chocolate mix**
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (170 grams) milk chocolate chips
• 8 ounces (227 grams) semisweet chocolate, cut into 20 equal pieces
• 10 large marshmallows, cut in half

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, hot chocolate mix, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until well-combined and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the egg and egg yolk and beat until combined. Add the vanilla extract. On low speed gradually add the flour mixture. Fold in the chocolate chips with a rubber spatula. Chill for about 1 hour, or until the dough is no longer sticky.
3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
4. Using a spoon or spring-loaded scoop, drop 1 1/2-tablespoon sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets.
5. Bake for about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and top each cookie with a piece of semisweet chocolate and 1 marshmallow half, cut side up. Return to oven and continue to bake for another 4 minutes, or until the marshmallow begins to melt slightly. Use a kitchen torch to toast the tops of the marshmallows. Alternatively, place the cookies under the broiler for about 30 seconds to toast the marshmallows. Be careful as the marshmallows can go from toasted to burnt very quickly!
6. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
7. Cookies are best served the day they are made due to the marshmallow but may be stored in an airtight container in one flat layer for up to 3 days.

Recipe Notes

**For a deeper chocolate cookie color like in these photos, use a DARK chocolate cocoa mix such as Ghirardelli.

Recipe by Tessa Arias

Author: Tessa Arias

I share trusted baking recipes your friends will LOVE alongside insights into the science of sweets. I'm a professionally trained chef, cookbook author, and cookie queen. I love to write about all things sweet, carb-y, and homemade. I live in Phoenix, Arizona (hence the blog name!)