I’m sharing one of my all time favorite cookies with you today, my hot chocolate cookies. When I first made these hot 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 cookies and 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 to completely 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 the cookie recipes on 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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More Cookies To Try
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- My Free Favorite Cookies E-Cookbook
Hot Chocolate Cookie Recipe
Hot Chocolate 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
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.
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!
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Holiday Cookie Decorating Tips
Originally published October 2017
julia says
The hot chocolate cookies. Does it matter what kind of butter you use. Like unsalted? Sweat cream?
Christi says
I’ve used both! 🙂
Karen says
I’m making these now, and my dough seems very dry. Is that normal? I’m about to cover and chill it for an hour; hopefully that will soften it up a bit.
Christi says
Yes, it’s a thick dough, you might even need to work it with your hands (think of kneading bread dough). But that gives you the thicker cookie. 🙂
Alex says
I just tried to make these – they came out delicious but not appealing. I definitely am going to find mallow bits versus mini marshmallows as I think that will make them look better. However, I have a couple questions for you since yours turned out looking so perfect.
1. Did you really stir the chocolate chip chunks and marshmallows in the dough before chilling? I feel like they look placed on the cookies rather than just mixed in, and like they were not fulling cooked as if placed in mid way through cooking?
2. Did you spray your cookie sheet with Pam or anything?
I am wanting to make these for a cookie party exchange so want them to look pretty like yours, so just looking for any tips 🙂 Thanks!
Christi says
Alex, for photos I always hand place whatever the mix ins are on top of the dough just prior to baking, it makes them photograph nicely. I don’t call for that in the instructions as it is strictly for photos and often results in a very messy cookie if you are going to put them in a container or transport them (those pretty chocolate chips on the top get kind of messy!). You certainly can do so, but it’s really time consuming and I never bother doing so on cookies I’m not photographing. It’s kind of a food blogger thing. 🙂 I almost always bake on silicone baking sheets or parchment paper. I find cooking spray starts to build up on baking sheets even if they are washed well, so I avoid it.
Courtney says
Made this with 3/4 cup of the Sipping Chocolate mix from Trader Joes. They are insanely good….rich chocolate taste without being overwhelming. Great recipe!
Christi says
Thanks Courtney! I bet they are amazing with the sipping chocolate!
Alexis says
These look so good. Can’t wait to make them for a cookie exchange. Just one question how cookies does this recipe make?
celina says
Hi, so I just made these cookies and my marshmallows have melted and spread , which tastes great, but doesn’t look very visually appealing. I would like to make these for a party so I want them to look as presentable as possible. How did you make it so that your marshmallow are still in tact on top?
Christi says
Hi Celina, did you use the Mallow Bits or regular marshmallows? I highly recommend the Mallow Bits which are dehydrated and will not spread or melt like a regular marshmallow.
Emily says
Why would my hot chocolate cookies go totally flat?!
Christi says
Emily, temperature can be a big factor. Temperature of the butter you used, temps in your house, the temps of your baking sheets, things like that. This particular recipe was actually tested by Kraft’s kitchens multiple times before they put it onto the Mallow Bits container, so it’s a pretty solid recipe. If you want to try them again, I would suggest maybe chilling the dough a bit prior to baking and making sure that your baking sheets are room temp (not just pulled of out of a hot dishwasher for example). I hope that helps!
Michele says
Have you ever made with milk chocolate chips? That says “hot chocolate” to me more than semi-sweet chips… Just wondering!
Christi says
Michele, I haven’t, I am not much of a milk chocolate fan, but I always tell people to go with whatever chip they like as it’s just a matter of taste. 🙂
Jeri says
I want to make these delicious sounding cookies but am having trouble finding the Kraft Jet Puffed mallow bits. I went to a Walmart and looked in both the baking and candy aisles with no success. All I could find were the usual mini marshmallows. Was wondering where you found them. Thanks….
Christi says
Jeri, I usually see them where the hot chocolate is in most stores. Sometimes the baking isles, but the hot cocoa area seems to be a bit more of a constant. 🙂
Ellen says
I only found them next to hot chocolate mix and coffee/tea section of grocery. Good luck
Loo says
These look so good I had to make them as soon as I saw them! Mine flattened completely. I am so bummed. They taste amazing even though they look funny. I will try again. ThankYou so much for a fun & different kind of cookie!
Christi says
Loo, you might trying chilling the dough a bit. The temperature of the dough can be a big variable, especially when it comes to flattening out. With it being summer, cookies can be even more finicky. 🙂