Chocolate Hot Cocoa Cookies Recipe | Sweet Pea's Kitchen (2024)

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Chocolate fanatics are going to be in heaven when you eat these sinfully delicious hot cocoa cookies. They are ooey, gooey, and perfectly rich. It’s no secret that I have a love for sweets, especially chocolate. There are many cold nights that you can find me sipping on a warm cup of hot chocolate.

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Chocolate Hot Cocoa Cookies Recipe

I wanted to combine my love for sweets with my affection for hot cocoa and make the perfect creative cookie recipe. That’s how this cocoa cookie recipe was born. When you bite into that decadent cookie with soft chocolate cookie topped with sweet marshmallows, it’s impossible not to be in love. Make this hot chocolate cookie recipe for parties or just a treat on a cold winters day.

Hot Cocoa Cookies Ingredients

I forgot to tell you the best part! You only need 11 ingredients to make these hot chocolate marshmallow cookies! None of the ingredients are difficult to find, and you shouldn’t have any trouble making a batch of cookies.

• Unsalted butter – It’s necessary to use unsalted butter for these chocolate cocoa cookies to turn out correctly.
• Semisweet chocolate bars – You’ll use the chocolate in the cookie batter as well as a chocolate garnish. Yum!
• Flour – I usually use all-purpose flour when I make this hot chocolate dessert.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder – Using cocoa powder allows these cookies to have a deep, rich chocolate flavor.
• Espresso powder – I love to use espresso when baking because it helps you achieve intense flavors of chocolate.
• Baking powder – This gives the cookies the perfect texture and rise every time.
• Salt – The salt adds to the flavor without being overbearing.
• Light brown sugar – You’ll get some additional sweetness from the cookies by using brown sugar.
• Eggs – Allow the eggs to sit out long enough to be at room temperature before making the cookie batter.
• Pure vanilla extract – This is one ingredient I would never skip when baking. Vanilla adds the perfect flavor, and you can even make your own.
• Marshmallows – Use regular-sized marshmallows for best results.

How To Make Hot Cocoa Cookies

Whenever you bake this hot chocolate cookie recipe, you’ll be so amazed by how easy and impressive they are! They take very little prep time, and the part that takes the longest is chilling the dough. I always use that time to clean or work on something else. Let’s get started so you can make your own batch of chocolate cookies with cocoa.

First Step: Melt butter and 12 ounces of chocolate in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently, so it doesn’t burn. Once it’s smooth and creamy, allow it to cool for 15 minutes.

Second Step: Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

Third Step: Beat the sugar, eggs, and vanilla at low speed in your stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Continue beating for 2 minutes, then pour in the cooled chocolate until it’s blended. Mix in half the flour mixture at a time and slowly mix on low speed until combined. Then mix in the second half of the flour. Place the cookie dough in the fridge for one hour.

Fourth Step: After the dough has chilled for an hour, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Using 2 cookie sheets, line them with parchment paper.

Note: Don’t skip chilling the cookie dough because they will not bake properly if you do.

Fifth Step: Scoop the cookie dough using a tablespoon and roll it into 1-inch cookie balls. Place 16 cookie balls around 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet and slightly flatten. Bake the hot cocoa cookies until the tops start to crack, which takes about 10-12 minutes.

Sixth Step: When the cookies are baking in the oven, begin cutting 7.5 ounces of semisweet chocolate bars into 1-inch squares. Cut marshmallows in half crosswise and add 1 piece of chocolate to each marshmallow half.

Seventh Step: When you remove the cookies from the oven, lightly press the marshmallow half with the chocolate side down on top of each cookie. Bake around 4 more minutes until the marshmallows have softened. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and place on a wire rack. Using a grater sprinkle remaining chocolate over the hot cookies. Transfer the cookies to the wire rack using a spatula. Let them cool for 5 minutes before eating. Repeat the process until you have baked all the cookies. Make sure to use a new piece of parchment paper for each batch.

Hot Chocolate Cookie Recipe Variations

You can try a few different things to make these cookies extra unique! Don’t be afraid to try out some new things to make this cookie recipe your own. Here are a few ideas that I have tried over the years:

• Melted Chocolate – Place the marshmallow halves on top of the cookies after they have baked and then drizzle melted chocolate on top. Then you can add sprinkles for a festive touch.
• Andes Mints – Instead of regular semi-sweet chocolate as the garnish, use Andes Mints instead. It’s a nice peppermint flavor and purely scrumptious.
• Flavored Marshmallows – For some extra fun, use some flavored marshmallows instead of regular. Plus, it adds some color too.

How Do You Store Hot Cocoa Cookies?

You should store hot chocolate cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I don’t recommend refrigerating them because the marshmallows will harden and not be as appetizing. The cookies will last around 4 days as long as they are kept sealed. You can toss them in the microwave for 10 or 15 seconds if you want to eat them warm.

It’s important to keep the cookies away from hot appliances like the oven, dishwasher, or crockpot. Otherwise, they may go bad quicker than normal.

Don’t worry, if you are in love with these hot chocolate cookies because I have many other amazing cookie recipes to share with you. Try them all!

• Ultimate Turtle Cookies – Don’t make these unless you want to be addicted! They are seriously some of the best cookies I’ve ever tasted.
• Chewy Lemon Cookies – These lemon cookies are perfect when you’re craving something sweet and aren’t in the mood for chocolate.
• Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies – There is nothing better than chocolate and peanut butter together. I’m drooling just imagining biting into these.
• Oatmeal Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies – These cookies are soft and chewy, just like they should be. Everyone devours them!

Now, remember to save this recipe on Pinterest for later 🙂

Make sure you take a look on my best recipes below:

Best Easy Red Velvet Poke Cake – I love the look and flavor of this stunning red velvet cake. It’s always a hit!

Caramel Cream Cheese Pumpkin Poke Cake – If you want a truly decadent dessert, this one should be at the top of your list. Mercy, it’s good!

German Chocolate Layer Cake With Coconut Pecan Frosting – Make this for your next potluck and watch it disappear before your eyes!

Three Layer Apple Spice Cake Recipe – There is nothing more delicious than a cake with lots of spice. This one is a reader favorite too.