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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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
tami says
Will the mallow bits become soft during baking, or remain crunchy? I would like the entire cookie to be soft. Should i allow them to melt into the dough a bit?
Christi says
Tami, the Mallow Bits tend to soften if you leave them in a bit, but then almost bake away in the oven. Some batches I’ve had that happen, others I haven’t, I think it comes down to the freshness of the Mallow Bits which is a bit hard to control on our end as the users. The way the recipe is written they don’t really maintain the crunch you would have if you ate them out of the container, they end up almost closer to a regular marshmallow (but those melt and get sticky). Hope that helps clarify it a bit!
Sharon says
Can I mix everything by hand if I don’t have a stand mixer?
Christi says
Hi Sharon, you can, but it is a fairly thick dough so you’ll just have to put some elbow grease into it. 🙂 The mixing that is, not the dough.
Charissa says
Starting a new tradition this year of holiday cookies. These are the 1st one I wanted to try. They were a hit w/ everyone! Thanks for the idea! So good!
Emily says
Hello. So I just tried making these and I am struggling just a bit lol. So, after I made the dough, chilled it for 30 minutes and then had it sitting out for an hour because I had no idea what I was doing wrong, I realized I didn’t put enough butter. So I melted some butter and kneaded it into the dough, getting it to the consistency it needed to be. Then I chilled it again for 15 minutes then baked them. I noticed that they wouldn’t spread on their own and remained in almost the same ball that I put them in. Is this a problem? Also, I put the 4 packages of hot cocoa mix and my brother said that don’t really taste like hot cocoa? Would this be because I added the rest of the butter after it had already been made? Yeaaaah. I need some help lol.
Christi says
Hi Emily, can I ask how you measured your flour? Did you spoon it into your measuring cups or scoop it? My first thought when you say they didn’t spread is that there was too much flour, which can happen if you scoop it because it compacts the flour.
Cherri Fellows says
I just made these cookies but instead of cookies I made them bars. The batter was so very thick I thought my stand mixer would die so I added a couple TBSP milk to to the batter, and I used a hot chocolate mix that already has the tiny dehydrated mini marshmellows in it. I also added about a 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips and a few large semi sweet chocolate chips on the top once pressed into a cake pan. I did have to keep flouring my fingers to press them evenly into the pan. I did not chill my dough, just put directly into the cake pan. My husband and son loved them, I didnt see where they tasted anything like hot chocolate, more like a chocolate chip cooke without the chocolate chips but very light and fluffy, they were about 2.5″ high. Thank you for the recipe, this will be a good bar to make for Santa!
Christi says
Glad your family liked them! I’m guessing you might taste a bit more of the hot cocoa flavor when made as written, I’m guessing the milk might have diluted it a bit. I’ve heard Santa quite enjoys these! 😉
Abby says
I’ve tried to post a comment several times but it’s not showing up…hopefully 5th time is a charm!
Anyway. These cookies are amazing! Brings me back to my childhood. My grandma made hot cocoa cookies and I haven’t had them since she passed away. This recipe comes so close to what she made. I’ve tried it with flavored cocoa because I’m all about that and WOW. Junior Mint cocoa, Land O Lakes (supreme chocolate, mint, raspberry, arctic white, dark chocolate) cocoa & Oreo cocoa…all fantastically delicious. I’ve also swapped the chocolate chips for peppermint bark and added a little coffee for a peppermint mocha cocoa cookie and used Hot Chocolate Hershey Kisses instead of the chocolate chips & mallow bits….both equally terrific. I get many, many requests for the last two. Those Hot Chocolate Hersey Kisses are incredible!
Thank you for posting this recipe and giving me back a piece of my grandma each Christmas!!!
Christi says
Hi Abby, thank you so much, I’m so happy you enjoyed them! I think there is something so special about the memories we have tied to flavor and food, and I know that I have so many memories of my grandmothers and baked goods. It makes my heart happy to know this recipe helps you keep some of those holiday memories close to your heart. I may be a little teary eyed on this one! XOXO
Abby says
AH-MAZING! My grandma used to make hot cocoa cookies and after she died no one could find the recipe…this comes SO CLOSE and brought me back to my childhood! I’ve made several batches with flavored cocoa (because I’m all about that!) and they’ve all turned out completely delicious! I used Junior Mint cocoa, Land O Lakes cocoa (mint, raspberry, dark chocolate, mocha, arctic white) and Oreo cocoa. Thank you for this recipe! I can now add it to my recipe book and bring back my grandma every Christmas!
Alaine says
Oh my! Love your site! I had bought the Mallow Bits to use for something else and found the recipe on the back for the Hot Cocoa Cookies! Can’t wait to make these! I do have a question..I have in the pantry the Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa which you must make with milk rather than water…do you think these will be ok to use in this recipe?
Thanks!
Christi says
Alaine, I think that would be fine. The only thing I don’t recommend is using a sugar free mix. Hope that helps!
Sarah says
I made these today and they were so soft and delicious!! I substituted the marshmallow for white chocolate chips and the family loved them!!! This recipe is now a family favorite! Thank you!!
Christi says
So glad you liked it, Sarah!
Eliza says
Loved these! We had hot chocolate with the marshmallow boys already in them, so because there weren’t many, we put one mini marshmallow in the centre of each cookie! The kids and adults loved them 🙂