Hot Chocolate Cookies (2024)

I’m sharing one of my all time favorite cookies with you today, my hot chocolate cookies. When I first made thesehot cocoa cookies, adding hot cocoa mix to a cookie seemed like it would taste good. But I didn’t quite expect for them to be SO delicious. These Hot Chocolate Cookies have since become one of the most popular cookie recipes on Love From The Oven. Hot Chocolate Cookies are perfect Christmas cookies and are great cookie for cookie exchanges.

Hot Chocolate Cookies

Really truly, these hot chocolate cookies are incredible. The flavor that the hot cocoa contributes is pretty amazing, they do not taste like “another chocolate cookie” if you will, they taste like a cup of hot chocolate.

Let’s face it, most of us have had all the “standard” cookies such as chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, snickerdoodles,oatmeal cookies, double chocolate chip cookiesand cut out sugar cookies.So these bring a new and fun flavor to those holiday cookie platters.

Since I first made these cookies hot chocolate cookies, Kraft Kitchens have tested the recipe. Both Swiss Miss and Kraft Jet Puffed have shared the recipe on their packaging. Seriously, they are that good.

Marshmallows In Cookies

Keeping it easy is important to me, and these hot chocolate cookies are as easy to make as your standard chocolate chip cookie, so nothing fancy needed here.

Mallow Bits

I do recommend that you use the Mallow Bits in place of regular mini-marshmallows, as the mini marshmallows can create quite a mess. You should be able to find these freeze dried marshmallows in your grocery store, either by the marshmallows or near where they keep hot chocolate.

2021 Update: Find Mallow Bits or similar dehydrated marshmallows at Target,Amazon and Walmart. Also check your local grocery store.

2020 Update: I’m not sure if Kraft is no longer making Mallow Bits, but I have a hard time finding them online, though some of my local stores still carry them. Here is what appears to be almost identical freeze dried hot chocolate marshmallows.

There also are many colored freeze dried marshmallows on the market. Another great option is the Swiss Miss Marshmallow Lover’s Cocoa, which actually includes packets of marshmallows along with the cocoa.

Chilling Dough + Mallow Bits

A note on these, I’ve found that when chilling the dough for 30 minutes, sometimes it can cause the Mallow Bits to melt into the cookie when baking.

It’s not consistent, and I think it’s dependent on how fresh/dry the Mallow Bits are (it happens to me more when I’ve purchased from Amazon). One way tocompletely avoid this problem is to mix the Mallow Bits in AFTER you chill the dough.

If you are looking for a different cookie to bring to a cookie exchange or to bake for the holidays, I’d highly recommend these hot chocolate cookies. While the recipe calls for regular hot cocoa, for a twist I used a dark chocolate hot cocoa mix with this batch. I love to serve them with a mug of Peppermint Hot Chocolate!

There are so many new flavors of hot cocoas out there, feel free to get a little creative with these! One thing to note: do not use sugar free hot cocoa mix. They won’t turn out as well I’m afraid.

Check out all of thecookie recipeson this site.Don’t miss all of the recipes for Christmas Cookies here on Love From The Oven! Also grab a copy of my free Favorite Cookies e-Book Cookbook, it has all my favorite cookie recipes in a convenient cookbook download.

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Hot Chocolate Cookie Recipe

Hot Chocolate Cookies

4.96 from 358 votes

Author Christi Johnstone

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

These easy Hot Chocolate Cookies are always a hit! Made with real hot cocoa, this is always a popular winter or Christmas cookie and is perfect for cookie exchanges.

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings 36 cookies

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup butter softened
▢ 1 cup sugar
▢ 2/3 cup brown sugar
▢ 2 large eggs
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla
▢ 3 1/4 cups all purpose flour*
▢ 4 packages hot cocoa mix** or 3/4 cups hot cocoa mix – NOT SUGAR FREE VERSIONS
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda
▢ 2 teaspoon baking powder
▢ 1 cup chocolate chips
▢ 1 cup Mallow Bits*** mini marshmallows do not work the same and can be a bit of a sticky mess

Instructions

Beat butter and sugars in large bowl with standing mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients. Gradually beat dry ingredients into butter mixture until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and Mallow Bits*. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drop 2 tablespoons dough, 2 inches apart, onto baking sheets lined with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 5 minutes; remove to wire racks and cool.

Video

Notes

NOTE: This is a somewhat dry cookie dough. Don’t freak out if your dough is thick and dry, and don’t add additional liquid to it! It’s a dry dough! Dry dough does not equal a dry cookie, have faith!

*For a flatter cookie, use 3 cups flour. For a more compact and taller cookie, use 3 and 1/4 cups flour, and chill your dough for longer than 30 minutes. For almost all cookies, the longer you chill the dough, the better flavor and appearance you’ll end up with.

Either way make sure when you measure flour you stir it then spoon it into your measuring cup, then level off. Never scoop your flour with the measuring cup and remember to level off!

**A simple hot cocoa mix works best with these. Flavored hot cocoa’s can have other ingredients that impact the recipe. I typically make this recipe with Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate. The Dark Chocolate Swiss Miss is actually my favorite for these. I have not tested it with other flavors or brands. DO NOT USE SUGAR FREE HOT COCOA!

**It appears over the years, Swiss Miss has somewhat changed their hot cocoa formula, most likely to remove artificial colors or dyes. As such, the cookies don’t seem as dark brown as they previously have. If this bothers you, stir in a tablespoon of cocoa powder (even better if you have DARK cocoa powder).

***Mallow Bits hard to find? This is a new issue in 2020. Buy hot cocoa mixes with marshmallows already in the mix. The “Marshmallow Lovers” versions even come with extra marshmallow packets, perfect for this recipe.

***I’ve found that when chilling the dough for 30 minutes, sometimes it can cause the Mallow Bits to melt when baking. It’s not consistent, and I think it’s dependent on how fresh/dry the Mallow Bits are (it happens to me more when I’ve purchased from Amazon). One way to completely avoid this problem is to mix the Mallow Bits in AFTER you chill the dough. You can just press them into the dough, since it’s a stiff, thick dough. We like to press them into the tops of the dough once we’ve scooped it.

Nutrition

Disclaimer

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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I can’t wait for you to try these cookies!They’d be the perfect addition to a hot cocoa bar. Check out my post all about how to set up a hot cocoa bar, such a fun (and super easy) thing to do when it’s chilly outside! Also, start your day with my Hot Chocolate Pancakes!