Cozy Hot Cocoa Cookies Recipe for Winter Snuggling Bliss

When winter’s chill sets in, these decadent hot cocoa cookies bring warmth and sweetness to any gathering.

Soft, gooey chocolate cookies infused with rich marshmallow hot cocoa flavor promise pure comfort in every bite.

Dark chocolate chips melt perfectly throughout the dough, creating pockets of intense richness.

Mini marshmallows dot the surface, adding a playful texture that echoes classic hot chocolate.

The cookies emerge from the oven with a crackly exterior and irresistibly tender center.

Each bite transports you to cozy moments by the fireplace, wrapped in a soft blanket.

Dive into this delightful recipe and let these cookies become your new cold-weather obsession.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 23

Everything You’ll Need For Hot Cocoa Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps cookies achieve a crisp exterior.
• Brown Sugar: Contributes moisture and creates a deeper caramel-like flavor profile.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with its warm, aromatic essence.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the fundamental structure of the cookie.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers intense chocolate flavor and deep brown color.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly during baking.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor notes.

• Chocolate Chips: Adds extra chocolate bursts throughout the cookie.
• Marshmallows: Provides gooey, sweet contrast and signature hot cocoa feel.
• Milk Chocolate: Creates a smooth, decadent drizzle for final decoration.

Baking Tools For Hot Cocoa Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for beating butter, sugar, and eggs until fluffy.
• Separate mixing bowl: Needed for combining dry ingredients.
• Whisk: Great for evenly mixing flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Plastic wrap: Used to cover and chill the dough.
• Baking sheets: Used for baking cookies.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats: Prevents cookies from sticking.
• Tablespoon or cookie scoop: Helps create uniform cookie sizes.
• Wire rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Spatula: Useful for folding in chocolate chips and transferring cookies.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Needed for melting chocolate.

How To Make Hot Cocoa Cookies In A Snap

• Dough Preparation

Mix softened butter with sugars until they transform into a creamy, fluffy cloud. Gently incorporate eggs and vanilla, creating a silky base. In another bowl, blend dry ingredients with cocoa powder, then slowly marry them with the wet mixture. Sprinkle chocolate chips throughout for extra indulgence.

• Chill Time

Wrap the dough and let it rest in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to mingle and texture to develop.

• Oven Warmup

Heat the oven to a toasty 350F. Line baking sheets with protective parchment.

• Cookie Shaping

Scoop small rounds of dough, rolling them into perfect little spheres. Arrange them on sheets with gentle spacing.

• Marshmallow Magic

Bake until edges look set but centers remain tender. Pull from the oven and nestle a marshmallow half into each cookie’s center. Return to oven for a quick final toast.

• Chocolate Finale

Drizzle melted chocolate across the warm cookies, creating artistic swirls. Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack, allowing the toppings to set beautifully.

Tips To Elevate Your Hot Cocoa Cookies

• Marshmallow Magic Techniques: Press marshmallows gently into warm cookies to create a soft, gooey center without breaking the delicate cookie surface.
• Make-Ahead Dough Trick: Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and making baking more convenient.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap traditional flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities. Use a 1:1 replacement ratio for best results.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter alternatives, and use dairy-free chocolate chips to create a completely dairy-free version of these decadent hot cocoa cookies.
• Temperature Control Pro Tip: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure cookies are baked perfectly – internal temperature should reach around 180F for ideal texture and doneness.

Creative Ways To Serve Hot Cocoa Cookies

• Cozy Mug Pairing: Serve these decadent hot cocoa cookies alongside a steaming mug of classic hot chocolate for the ultimate winter treat. The warm beverage complements the rich chocolate cookie perfectly.
• Dessert Platter Delight: Create an elegant dessert spread by arranging the cookies on a beautiful platter with mini marshmallows, chocolate shavings, and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for extra visual appeal.
• Ice Cream Sandwich Twist: Transform these cookies into an indulgent ice cream sandwich by sandwiching a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two cooled cookies, creating a delightful temperature contrast.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, making them a charming homemade gift for holiday gatherings or as a sweet surprise for friends and family.

Storing Hot Cocoa Cookies For Later

• Quick Chill Strategy: Store raw cookie dough in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Freezing Magic: Package cooled cookies in single layers between parchment paper inside freezer-safe containers, lasting comfortably up to 4 weeks without compromising taste or texture.
• Counter Comfort: Keep finished hot cocoa cookies in sealed containers at room temperature, maintaining optimal softness and deliciousness for 5-7 days away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
• Moisture Management: Include a small piece of bread inside storage containers to help cookies retain their perfect soft consistency and prevent unwanted crumbling or dryness.

Cozy Hot Cocoa Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Sweet hot cocoa cookies merge classic chocolate chip comfort with winter’s warm embrace. Chocolatey morsels and marshmallow swirls create delightful holiday magic you’ll savor with each festive bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (225 g/8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (200 g/7 oz) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g/3.5 oz) brown sugar, packed
• 2 ¼ cups (280 g/10 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (180 g/6.3 oz) chocolate chips
• ½ cup (40 g/1.4 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 12 large marshmallows, cut in half (or 1 cup mini marshmallows)
• ½ cup (90 g/3.2 oz) milk chocolate chips, melted

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Instructions

1. Creaming: Whip softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
2. Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend eggs individually, then incorporate vanilla extract to develop a rich flavor foundation.
3. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together, ensuring even distribution of dry components.
4. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, carefully mixing in chocolate chips to create a uniform dough. Refrigerate for one hour to enhance flavor and texture.
5. Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 350F (175C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for optimal cookie release.
6. Shaping and Initial Baking: Scoop uniform dough balls onto prepared sheets, spacing them appropriately. Bake for 8-9 minutes until edges set but centers remain soft.
7. Marshmallow Topping: Immediately press marshmallow halves into warm cookie centers, then return to oven for an additional 2 minutes to achieve a golden, puffy finish.
8. Chocolate Drizzle and Cooling: Elegantly drizzle melted milk chocolate over warm cookies. Transfer to wire rack after 5 minutes of cooling on baking sheets to complete the final texture and set the toppings.

Notes

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development, ensuring dense and chewy cookie texture.
• Marshmallow Placement Technique: Press marshmallow gently into warm cookie center immediately after first bake, allowing it to melt slightly without burning.
• Chocolate Drizzling Pro Tip: Let cookies cool slightly before adding chocolate drizzle to prevent immediate melting and maintain decorative pattern.
• Texture Control Hack: Remove cookies when edges are set but center remains soft, creating a perfectly moist and tender cookie that mimics hot cocoa’s richness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg