Gluesticks Blog

  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Terms and Privacy Policy
  • Sewing
    • My Book
    • Kids Sewing Projects
    • All Sewing Projects
  • Crafts
    • Kids Crafts
    • Paper Crafts
    • Free Printables
    • All Crafts
  • Holidays
    • Christmas
    • Halloween
    • Patriotic Holidays
    • Easter
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Gift Ideas
      • Teacher Gifts
      • All Gift Ideas
    • Parties
  • Home
    • Home Decor Projects
    • Cleaning & Organizing
    • Gardening
    • Motherhood
  • Recipes
    • Kids in the Kitchen
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Bread Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
      • Cake Recipes
      • Cookie Recipes
      • All Dessert
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Sides & Salads
    • Holiday Recipes
    • All Recipes

November 4, 2022 By Brandy 22 Comments

Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes » Cookie Recipes

Hot Cocoa Cookies (+ Video)

Filed Under: Cookie Recipes, Holiday Recipes

Jump to Recipe

This post was most recently updated on January 31st, 2023

Hot cocoa cookies are chocolatey, rich, full of marshmallows, and delicious. Just like a cup of decadent hot cocoa.

You might also like our grasshopper cookies, our Texas sheet cake cookies, or our rocky road cookies!

hot cocoa cookies

Watch our step by step video!

If you’re looking for a cookie to wow friends this year at cookie exchanges and holiday parties this is it! These hot cocoa cookies are so delicious, and loaded with chocolate and marshmallows.

hot cocoa cookies next to a mug of hot cocoa

I make mine with dark baking cocoa, but you can use whatever you have in your cupboard. The cookies are topped with half of a marshmallow as soon as they come out of the oven then go back into the oven for a couple more minutes. This allows the marshmallow to get nice and soft before pressing it down with a spoon to flatten it.

hot cocoa cookie broken in half

A chocolate ganache glaze is drizzled over the cookies and sprinkles are added to make them nice and festive. Once the ganache sets up these cookies can be stored in a container for easy transport! This recipe makes 28 cookies.

What people are saying about these cookies

“This is one of the best cookie recipes I have ever made and I have made a lot. Did not disappoint. This will be a family favorite for years to come. Thank you.”

“I made these cookies last weekend as a test run for a cookie exchange. Huge success, deliciously easy and I’m making the 9 dozen needed today! Highly recommend the recipe!”

hot cocoa cookies with mug of hot cocoa

Hot Cocoa Cookies Ingredients

(Scroll to the end of the post for a printable version)

CHOCOLATE COOKIE DOUGH

Ingredients

  • melted butter
  • unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey’s Special Dark for these)
  • brown sugar
  • white sugar
  • vanilla extract
  • large eggs
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • all-purpose flour

The chocolate cookie dough is fool-proof and yields perfect cookies every time. I use it as a base for all of my chocolate cookie recipes!

hot cocoa cookies on parchment paper

CHOCOLATE GLAZE

Ingredients

  • milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • milk
  • butter
  • honey (or corn syrup)

My glaze is one that I use for donuts, Hostess cupcakes, and s’mores cookies. Perfect for dipping and spooning. I use the microwave to prepare my glaze, but you can do it over the stove (on medium-low heat) or in a double boiler.

hand holding hot cocoa cookie

How To Make Hot Cocoa Cookies

Combine melted butter and cocoa powder in a large bowl and mix. Add sugars and mix until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients.

Chill cookie dough in the refrigerator for 45 minutes to an hour.

Scoop cookie dough onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

marshmallows on cutting board

While cookies bake, cut marshmallows in half using a pair of scissors.

cookies in oven with marshmallows on top

Place half of a marshmallow (sticky-side-down) on top of the hot cookies. Place cookies BACK INTO THE OVEN and bake another 2-3 minutes, until marshmallows look slightly puffy. DO NOT OVERCOOK MARSHMALLOWS.

Remove the cookies from the oven and gently press each marshmallow down with the back of a spoon.

Let the cookies sit on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Melt glaze ingredients together and drizzle over cookies. Add sprinkles, if desired.

Refrigerate or place in the freezer until the glaze sets up.

hot cocoa cookies with sprinkles

These cookies can be enjoyed at room temperature or chilled. Lightly cover the cookie sheet with plastic wrap. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

Hot Cocoa Cookies

hot cocoa cookies with sprinkles

Hot Cocoa Cookies

Hot cocoa cookies are chocolatey, rich, full of marshmallows, and delicious. Just like a cup of decadent hot cocoa.
4.95 from 18 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 1 hour hour
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Chill: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 28 cookies
Calories: 195kcal

Ingredients

COOKIES

  • 1 cup melted butter (2 sticks)
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 14 marshmallows (not miniature)

CHOCOLATE GLAZE

  • 8 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 4 teaspoons milk
  • 4 teaspoons honey (or corn syrup)

Instructions

Cookies

  • Melt two sticks of butter (1 cup) in the microwave. Combine melted butter and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer. Stir until smooth.
  • Mix brown sugar and white sugar with the butter/cocoa mixture.
  • Add eggs and vanilla.
  • Mix in salt, baking soda, and flour.
  • Cover bowl with plastic and chill dough for 45 minutes- 1 hour.
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Scoop dough onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets using a medium cookie scoop (2 Tbsp. size).
  • Bake cookies for 10 minutes. While cookies bake cut marshmallows in half with scissors.
    Place a marshmallow half (sticky side down) onto each hot cookie. Place cookies back in the oven and bake an additional 2-3 minutes (marshmallows should be slightly puffed). DO NOT OVERBAKE MARSHMALLOWS.
  • Press each marshmallow down with the back of a spoon.
  • Let cool on a cookie sheet for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Glaze

  • Heat glaze ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat for an additional 15-20 seconds. Stir until smooth and creamy. If additional time is needed do it in 10-second increments.
    Note: You can use a double boiler or small saucepan over the stove to melt the chocolate and glaze instead of a microwave if you want.
    Drizzle glaze over cookies. Add sprinkles, if desired.
    Allow glaze to set up (placing cookies back into the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes will speed this up).
    Cookies can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

I use my stand mixer, but a hand mixer or Danish dough whisk works as well.
I always use salted butter in my baking, but you can use unsalted butter.
Melted butter can be used warm (no need to cool).

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

More Posts Like This

About Brandy

Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!

Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com without any additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Previous Post: « Easy Skillet Lasagna (+ Video)
Next Post: Peppermint Bark Fudge (+ Video) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. audrey says

    November 4, 2022 at 3:59 pm

    Thoughts on packing these for gifts? I assume they are fairly sticky.
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Brandy says

      November 4, 2022 at 4:25 pm

      The ganache will set up on top allowing them to be packaged. They are a soft cookie so I wouldn’t stack them higher than 2 cookies tall.

      Reply
  2. Devin says

    November 22, 2022 at 9:41 pm

    This is one of the best cookie recipes I have ever made and I have made a lot. Did not disappoint. This will be a family favorite for years to come. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Brandy says

      November 23, 2022 at 10:43 am

      Thank you! So glad to hear!

      Reply
  3. Debbie says

    November 27, 2022 at 4:25 pm

    Can these cookies be frozen?

    Reply
    • Brandy says

      November 27, 2022 at 4:42 pm

      I haven’t tried freezing them before. The cookies and ganache would freeze well, I’m just not sure about the marshmallows.

      Reply
  4. Heidi Daniels says

    December 3, 2022 at 11:15 am

    5 stars
    I made these cookies last weekend as a test run for a cookie exchange. Huge success, deliciously easy and I’m making the 9 dozen needed today! Highly recommend recipe!

    Reply
    • Brandy says

      December 3, 2022 at 1:18 pm

      Awesome!! This made my day, Heidi!

      Reply
  5. Lena says

    December 4, 2022 at 8:31 pm

    4 stars
    Followed the recipe and my cookies came out dry. Any reason why? Other than that the tasted delicious. Planning on trying the recipe one more time. Thanks

    Reply
    • Brandy says

      December 5, 2022 at 8:38 am

      Hi Lena! I’m not sure! There can be factors such as elevation and humidity depending on where you live. Maybe drop the flour a bit on the next batch or pull out of the oven a little early?

      Reply
      • Nikki says

        December 13, 2022 at 11:04 am

        Did you maybe cook them a bit longer once you put the marshmallow on? Maybe only cook them 8-9 minutes and then and additional 2 minutes once the marshmallow has been put on.

        Reply
  6. Laura C says

    December 6, 2022 at 10:01 am

    Hi, Brandy,
    Can I freeze the dough, and if so, should I freeze as a whole or scoop them?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Brandy says

      December 6, 2022 at 10:02 am

      Hi Laura! I’d freeze them already scooped. 🙂

      Reply
      • Laura C says

        December 6, 2022 at 6:03 pm

        I’m happy you said this, as I needed to get them finished, and they’re all scooped and in the freezer! I will let you know how they come out.
        Thank you!

        Reply
  7. Lisa says

    December 9, 2022 at 3:22 pm

    So I’m trying these cookies for a cookie swap. Because I have to make 10 dozen, I am thinking of making the cookies one day and then just topping them when it gets closer. I was thinking that it probably isn’t the best idea to put the cookies back in the oven once they’re cooled, so thoughts about maybe using marshmallow fluff and then a butane torch to “brown” them? I feel like in theory it should work. Thoughts? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Brandy says

      December 9, 2022 at 4:18 pm

      Hi Lisa! I think you could put the cookies back in the oven to soften the marshmallows. It wouldn’t be the same as putting the marshmallows on a hot cookie, but would still soften the marshmallows. I haven’t tried using marshmallow fluff, but I’m sure it’d be delicious. It would just be more sticky than regular marshmallows. 🙂 Side note: these stay soft for a few days. You could make them a day or two before you need them and they’d be fine.

      Reply
  8. Cindy says

    December 10, 2022 at 11:49 am

    Could you use mini marshmallows instead?

    Reply
    • Brandy says

      December 10, 2022 at 12:02 pm

      Absolutely! They cookies will look a little different on top, but will taste equally delicious!

      Reply
  9. Becki Talcott says

    December 11, 2022 at 1:21 pm

    I just made these and they were easy and taste delicious but for some reason my are crispy not soft.

    Reply
  10. Tracy says

    December 12, 2022 at 11:05 am

    Can you freeze these?

    Reply
    • Brandy says

      December 12, 2022 at 1:04 pm

      Yes

      Reply
  11. Kylia says

    January 7, 2023 at 8:34 am

    I can not wait to try these today ! I will let you know how they come out.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

I'm Brandy! I live in Virginia with my husband, 5 kids, black lab, and chickens. I love to craft and bake and share it all with you! MORE ABOUT ME

Follow Along

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

My Amazon Store

Get My Best Projects and Recipes!

My Sewing Book for Kids!

kids sewing book cover

Bonus Guide

  • Home
  • Website Accessibility
  • My Book
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Log in

Gluesticks blog logo
  • About
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
    • Terms and Privacy Policy
  • Sewing
    • My Book
    • Kids Sewing Projects
    • All Sewing Projects
  • Crafts
    • Kids Crafts
    • Paper Crafts
    • Free Printables
    • All Crafts
  • Holidays
    • Christmas
    • Halloween
    • Patriotic Holidays
    • Easter
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Gift Ideas
      • Teacher Gifts
      • All Gift Ideas
    • Parties
  • Home
    • Home Decor Projects
    • Cleaning & Organizing
    • Gardening
    • Motherhood
  • Recipes
    • Kids in the Kitchen
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Bread Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
      • Cake Recipes
      • Cookie Recipes
      • All Dessert
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Sides & Salads
    • Holiday Recipes
    • All Recipes