One of my favorite Christmas Cookies! This Hot Cocoa Cookies Recipe is easy to make and goes great with a cup of Hot Chocolate! 
I have been bustling about the house trying to be in the Christmas spirit. “Joy to the World” is echoing off the walls in my house, The Stockings are hung by the chimney, the kids are drinking hot cocoa, and I am in the kitchen baking cookies.
I was trying to be unique with my cookie selection this week and sat at the kitchen table thumbing through cookbooks. Every time I looked up I saw these three chocolate-covered noses and grins staring back at me over the top of their coffee mugs of cocoa. It was an inspiration that I couldn’t ignore. These Hot Cocoa Cookies are the perfect chewy chocolate cookie with mini marshmallows piled right on top. They are so cute on a plate for Santa, or pretty on a cookie platter for the holidays.
Gluten Free Hot Cocoa Cookies
There aren't a ton of changes to make these cookies gluten free. Just switch out the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free baking mix. Also, double check your other ingredients to ensure they are gluten free.
Cookie Baking tips
When it comes to baking cookies there are a few tips that just make life easier!
Use Parchment Paper or Silpat.
Putting down parchment paper or a Silpat sheet keeps your cookies from sticking and just makes a better cookie. Plus, it cuts down on dishes which is a win!
Use a Cookie Scoop. Y'all, every time I bake drop cookies I use a cookie scoop. It makes evenly shaped perfect cookies EVERY TIME. Life-changing if you love to bake cookies. Amazon sells all sizes of cookie scoops that you can pick from.
Should you chill the dough? It isn't "NECESSARY" for this recipe, but read this post full of info about why you should chill your cookie dough. It may change your mind.
Freeze the Extra Dough for another day. Making your own freezer cookie dough is easy, and practical. It makes fresh baked cookies possible any day of the week. Check out these Freezer cookie dough tips.
Hot Cocoa Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened (Or Butter alternative)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; stir into the butter mixture until well blended.
- Mix in the chocolate chips
- Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or just until set.
- Immediately top with three mini marshmallows when you remove the cookies from the oven.
- If more gooey marshmallow is desired place marshmallow topped cookies back in the oven for 1 mintute.
- Cool slightly on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
Gluten Free
- Substitute in a gluten free flour mix.
- Use a dairy free butter alternative and dairy free chocolate chips.
Paula
I imagine these would be mint cocoa if you use the new peppermint marshmallows and be delish!! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Michellek
I love these... I do very similiar with choc. fudge frosting on top... favorites on the cookie trays for sure!!
Cindy
Just made these! They are heavenly. Thank you for the fun and yummy recipe! I will make these for many Christmases to come!
Nicole Edwards
I made these and they were a hit!! The batch the cookies is already gone and my kids are begging me to make more.
Sarah @ Feed My Family
I made these tonight with my 2 year old daughter and they turned out great. I had a thought similar to Pamela's but thought of replacing some of the vanilla with peppermint extract. If only my husband liked peppermint...
Kaitlyn
wow these are really delicious ... however next time I would cut the choc chips in half . I almost did this time but choose to try the recipe the way it was intended. little too sweet for me with all the chips. they look great also on the christmas table 🙂 thanks for the recipe!
Julia
I have regularly been making these for the past 5 years! Thank you for this recipe! It is a regular request, especially for cookie exchanges! So moist and chocolatey!
Barrie
These are out of this world. I made a batch yesterday and my husband keeps sneaking them. He said “wow. Now THATS a cookie”
Laurie
One of our favorites!
Dayna
I am going to try the recipe today. What I really wanted to say is how impressed I am with your follow-up. 1st comments for this recipe are from 2011; the most recent, a few days ago in 2019; you gave quick feedback everytime. This kind of dedication and reliability are of the rarest to find in a person. You are a true gem.