Our delicious Hot Cocoa Cookies have a chewy chocolate base, with a warm, gooey marshmallow, covered in chocolate frosting. This is one of my favorite holiday cookie recipes!
Hot Cocoa Cookies will be your new fav.
Hot Cocoa Cookies will be your new fav.These Hot Cocoa Cookies are a unique and fun cookie that my great aunt always used to make; they were one of my favorites! No one had her recipe (she called them Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies), so, years ago, my mom helped me recreate them. My aunt always placed a walnut on top but you could also sprinkle crushed candy canes, sprinkles, or a little dusting of powdered sugar.
For more Christmas Cookies, try Turtle Cookies, Chocolate Mint Cookies, Peppermint Sandwich Cookies, or Ginger Molasses Cookies.
How to make Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies:
Make Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in another bowl then pour into the wet mixture and stir only until combined. Scoop the cookie dough into rounded tablespoons onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake: Place in a 350°F oven for 8 minutes then remove and top with half of a marshmallow, cut side down. Return to oven for 2 minutes, then allow cookies to cool while you make the chocolate frosting. Spoon frosting over each marshmallow and enjoy. Top with crushed candy canes, a walnut, or sprinkles, if desired. Keep any leftovers in an airtight container or freeze.
Storing and Freezing Instructions:
Store leftover hot cocoa cookies in an airtight container on the counter for 3-4 days.
To Freeze: place in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
More Holiday Desserts:
- Chocolate Covered Marshmallows
- Candied Pecans
- Graham Cracker Toffee
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Turtle Cookies
- Orange Olive Oil Cake
- Homemade Caramels
- Oreo Balls
- Peppermint Brownies
- Peppermint Sandwich Cookies
- Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods
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Recipe
Hot Cocoa Cookies Cookies
Equipment
- Stand Mixer optional
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 grams)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300 grams)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (250 grams)
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (55 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (5 g)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (3 g)
- 15 large marshmallows , halved
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter , softened (113 grams)
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (10 g)
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons milk (37 g)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (240 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Wet Ingredients: Add the butter and sugar to a mixing bowl and cream together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla then mix well.
- Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine: Add to the bowl with the creamed butter mixture and stir just until combined. Scoop the dough by rounded tablespoons onto your cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and top with a marshmallow half (cut-size down). Return to oven for 2 minutes. Allow to cool completely while you make the frosting.
- Frosting: Add butter to a mixing bowl then beat with electric mixers for 1 minute. Add the cocoa powder and milk and mix to combine. Add powdered sugar and mix for at least 2-3 minutes or until smooth. Mix in vanilla. Add more powdered sugar if needed, to reach a smooth, spreadable frosting consistency.
- Frost: Once cookies have cooled, cover the tops of the marshmallow and cookie with frosting.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container, or freeze for later.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared the recipe December 2016. Updated December 2019 and December 2024.
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I made the Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies. They turned out really nice and were very tasty. I will make these again.
My dough was very cumbly. I had to form the dough into balls.
They didn’t flatten out when cooked.
Is there a liquid missing?
Did you sprinkle the marshmallow cookie with sea salt?
We dusted them with a little powdered sugar, just for the photos, for fun.
Thank you so much for confirming it was powdered sugar.
These were really good. My husband loved them. Make sure when you make these that your marshmallows are fresh. My son likes a harder frosting. Next time I make these I will be making 3 sections. Mine, just the cookie, my husband’s with everything, and my son’s with a thicker, harder frosting.
Delicious!! I subbed the flour for gluten free all purpose and it was still delicious! This reminded me of cookies we used to get from the bakery when I was a little child so it was especially meaningful for us this Christmas! Thank you for sharing!
Outstanding and so decadent. Such an easy recipe too.
Can theses be shipped or will they melt.
So very delicious!
Awesome cookies, shall make again and again and again…
Can we make these with the marshmallow in the inside?
Tastes Better From Scratch: with store-bought marshmallows? I have been looking for marshmallow recipes, and having trouble finding ones without gelatin included, whether to enjoy in its simplicity, or make into fondant. Have you ever made marshmallow from scratch? Come across any recipes?