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 want to make these with my kids for Xmas and I have a question, do u use light or dark brown sugar?
Either light or brown sugar would work perfectly well in this recipe. Happy Baking!
W.O.W.!!!!! I made these cookies last weekend for Christmas on my side of the family, and am making them again this weekend for my husband’s Christmas! They are so fun and YUMMMMMMMY!!! Thank you for the delicious recipe!
I just made these tonight for a cookie party im attending tomorrow. They are SO good! A little labor intensive hehe, but good for the holidays.
I did have a problem with the icing, i had to add a 1/4 cup extra hot water to thin it out. i used 2 c icing sugar, 1/4 cocoa, 4 tbls melted butter, and the vanilla extract … im not sure why it was so thick! Like batter!
Other then that, it was fabulous, and i will make them again!
Thanks for the recipe
Oh my goodness! Just made these wonderful cookies and they are not only so cute but delicious, too. They are almost like a little cake. Can’t wait to serve them at my annual Cookie Swap party on Saturday. Thanks!
these cookies looked so festive and delicious I had to make them for the Hollidays to take to my up coming Christmas cookie exchange and party’s at Christmas to share with family and friends!!! They are very good and well worth making!!!!
Made these this weekend for a Christmas party and they were a HIT! Tasted delicious, Soft, and rich. Pinterest win and highly recommend. 🙂
I made these cookies they are AMAZING!!!!!
Anyone have any ideas on a cute way to package these for a cookie swap?
These were a big hit last year at my office. Getting all the things together to make again this year! They are soooo yummy!
I made these last night for a cookie swap today and they turned out beautifully! Now I’m just trying to keep from eating them all so that I have enough left for the party 🙂 Great recipe and thanks for sharing.