Hot Chocolate Cookies: A Cozy Winter Treat

There’s something magical about the holiday season—twinkling lights, chilly evenings, and the irresistible aroma of baking cookies. This year, bring the magic of winter right to your kitchen with these Hot Chocolate Cookies! Made with real hot cocoa mix, gooey chocolate chips, and marshmallow bits, these cookies are the ultimate cozy treat. Perfect for a snowy afternoon or holiday celebrations, they’ll quickly become a favorite for your family and friends.

Get quick, easy, and delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Order Now – 3 Packages to Choose From – 100% Money Back Guarantee

Personalized Santa Packages

Buy Now →

Why You’ll Love These Hot Chocolate Cookies

Bursting with Flavor: These cookies capture the rich, chocolatey goodness of a steaming cup of hot cocoa, with bonus bites of marshmallow and chocolate chips.

Holiday Favorite: Whether for cookie exchanges, festive gatherings, or as a sweet gift, these cookies are perfect for spreading holiday cheer.

Easy to Make: With straightforward steps and simple ingredients, these cookies are beginner-friendly and fail-proof.

Customizable: Want to switch things up? You can easily adapt this recipe with fun mix-ins or tweaks (ideas below!).

Don’t forget to save this recipe to Pinterest for later! Follow us on Pinterest for more baking inspiration.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (For a flatter cookie, use 3 cups instead.)
• 4 packages hot cocoa mix (or 3/4 cup, not sugar-free)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup Mallow Bits (mini marshmallows will melt and don’t work as well).

Optional Ingredients for Variations

• Dark cocoa powder: Add 1 tablespoon for a deeper chocolate flavor.
• Crushed candy canes: Sprinkle for a festive twist.
• Mini chocolate bars: Replace some chocolate chips for extra gooeyness.

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls (one for wet ingredients, one for dry ingredients)
• Hand or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Silicone baking mats or parchment paper
• Baking sheets
• Wire cooling rack

How to Make Hot Chocolate Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, hot cocoa mix, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating until fully blended. Stir in chocolate chips and Mallow Bits.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes (up to 24 hours). Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.

Tip: If you notice your Mallow Bits melting during baking, try pressing them into the dough after chilling instead of mixing them in.

Step 3: Bake the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Drop 2-tablespoon scoops of dough onto lined baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Perfect Hot Chocolate Cookies

Don’t Add Extra Liquid: The dough is intentionally thick and slightly dry. This ensures soft, flavorful cookies!

Measuring Flour Matters: Stir, spoon, and level off your flour for accurate measurements—no scooping directly from the bag.

Longer Chill Time = Better Cookies: Chilling the dough for longer than 30 minutes deepens the flavors and improves the cookie texture.

What to Serve with Hot Chocolate Cookies

Pair these cookies with a steaming mug of hot cocoa (extra marshmallows, please!), a glass of cold milk, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Looking for more festive baking ideas? You’ll love these recipes:

Mini Fruit Cakes: A Festive Treat for the Holidays

Coffee and Fig Fruit Cakes: A Delicious Festive Treat

Chocolate Cherry and Brandy Yule Log: A Festive Marvel

Storage Instructions

Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezing Dough: Freeze scooped dough balls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.

Freezing Baked Cookies: Let the cookies cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use mini marshmallows instead of Mallow Bits?

Unfortunately, mini marshmallows don’t work well as they melt and create a sticky mess. Stick with Mallow Bits or use hot cocoa mix with marshmallows included.

What type of cocoa mix is best?

I recommend Swiss Miss for a classic flavor, but the Dark Chocolate Swiss Miss takes these cookies to another level! Avoid sugar-free mixes, as they can affect the texture.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend for the all-purpose flour.

Wrap-Up: A Sweet Winter Tradition

Baking these Hot Chocolate Cookies is like capturing the joy of a cozy winter evening in every bite. From their soft, chewy centers to their bursts of chocolate and marshmallow, these cookies are everything you love about hot cocoa in a dessert form. Whether you’re making them for holiday celebrations or just because, they’re guaranteed to become a seasonal staple.

Don’t forget to share your creations! Snap a photo and tag us on Pinterest at EMMARECIPES18. We’d love to see your delicious bakes!

Looking for more festive inspiration? Try these seasonal favorites:

Mini Fruit Cakes: A Festive Treat for the Holidays

Coffee and Fig Fruit Cakes: A Delicious Festive Treat

Chocolate Cherry and Brandy Yule Log: A Festive Marvel

Let’s keep the baking magic going—subscribe to our newsletter for more quick, easy, and delicious recipes!

Print