These Hot Cocoa Cookies are chewy, chocolaty and oh so delicious! These have quickly become my favorite Christmas cookie!
I created this recipe to take to a friend’s Christmas Cookie Exchange Party, and they were a huge hit!
These cookies start with a brownie-like cookie base, then get topped with a marshmallow, fudge glaze and sprinkles… what more could you want? =)
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Earlier this week, I shared the pretty details of my friend Bethany’s Cookie Exchange Party.
Normally, if I’m invited to a cookie exchange I might make some pretty decorated cookies… but I knew Bethany had that covered.
So I baked up these Hot Cocoa Cookies, and I’m so glad I did! They’re chewy, chocolaty and oh so cute!
Feel free to use different sprinkles for different holidays, or to match a color theme… easy peasy!
How to Make Hot Cocoa Cookies
Hot Cocoa Cookies
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate
- 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 brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 25 large marshmallows approximately
For the icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 stick, melted
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- assorted sprinkles
Instructions
Make the cookies
- In a medium saucepan (or in a microwave safe bowl, using 50% power), melt the butter and chocolate, stirring frequently. Once melted, set aside to cool slightly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the sugar, eggs and vanilla on low speed until well combined.
- Add the cooled chocolate mixture and blend until just combined.
- While mixing, add the flour mixture slowly and blend until just combined.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then cover the dough and refrigerate at least 1 hour. The dough should be firm. If making the dough a day ahead, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping.
- Preheat oven to 325*F. and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or a silpat type liner. Use a tablespoon (or a tablespoon sized cookie scoop) to scoop the dough, then roll the dough in your hands to create balls. Arrange the balls about 2 inches apart on your baking sheets, then flatten slightly.
- Bake cookies about 12 minutes.
- While the cookies bake, cut the large marshmallows in half (crosswise). When the cookies have baked, remove from oven and press one marshmallow half (cut side down) into the center of each cookie. Return the cookies to the oven and bake another 2-3 minutes. Allow the pan of cookies to cool a few minutes, then transfer cookies to cooling rack.
Prepare cookie icing
- Prepare cookie icing by combining all ingredients in a medium bowl and mixing together with a whisk. Place wire cooling rack (with cookies on it) over a baking sheet (to catch any excess icing). Spoon a small amount of icing onto the top of each marshmallow, and use the back of the spoon to spread it a bit. After icing just a couple cookies, top with sprinkles before the icing dries.
- Allow icing to set up about 30 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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This is the perfect recipe to add to your holiday cookie trays, or bring to a cookie exchange… just be sure to save a few for yourself! =)
Happy baking!
i definitely want to try this recipe…it looks amazing. Do you think I could press the dough into a jelly roll pan and make bars instead of cookies?
Why do the cookies only two days in a covered container.I want to make them but I was hoping I could make them ahead of time. Thank you for the recipe!
Marlene
As with any fresh baked good, they are best when eaten as fresh as possible. I prefer to enjoy them (or serve) them when they are fresh, but I’m sure they would be perfectly edible for at least 4 days (or more, but they will likely dry out a bit).
I made these today and they are wonderful! I ended up making them without the glaze because they have plenty of chocolate on their own. I will be making these again and again!
Hi!
Do the cookies really only last 2 days in an airtight container?
As with any fresh baked good, they are best when eaten as fresh as possible. I prefer to enjoy them (or serve) them when they are fresh, but I’m sure they would be perfectly edible for at least 4 days (or more, but they will likely dry out a bit).
Hi!
Could you please tell me how much butter we need for cookies in grams or ounces? I”m not from the US, that’s why I don’t really understand what your “cup” means in grams/ounces)) (and sticks of butter may be different too)))
Hi Julia, I am only familiar with U.S. measurements, but feel free to use google to find a good conversion chart and you should be able to easily find the conversions you need. Happy baking!
I just made these for the first time today. Yummy!! But I was a little disappointed in the glaze. It was very watery and never did harden/set. Any ideas what went wrong? I was in a hurry and didn’t sift my powdered sugar like I normally do. Think that was it?
Hi Jamie, Sometimes it’s hard to tell what went wrong without me being right next to you in the kitchen. I would double check the ingredients list. I’m guessing you may have omitted the butter, or added too much water. You do not need to sift the powdered sugar (unless it is unusually lumpy). Happy baking!
I made these for my cookie trays this year. These are awesome cookies!. They were my family’s favorite overall. My daughters were fighting over them, and I was told I need to make more! Delicious, thank you for sharing the recipe.
I made these and included them in boxes with 6 other types of cookies for holiday gifts for friends and family! This cookie was the star of the box. I had most of the people say this was their favorite and ask for the recipe:-) Thank you for sharing all of these amazing treats!! This one is definitely going in the “make again soon” file!!!
These cookies are amazing! Made them the first time for a “Cookie Walk” at a local daycare, and making them again for family. They taste delicious, are easy to make, and adorable to look at! Thanks SO much for the great recipe.
These cookies are delicious and I’m sure will be a big hit this Christmas.