Description
Hot Chocolate Christmas Cookies are the kind of festive treat that makes a holiday baking day feel extra special. These rich chocolate cookies bake up soft and fudgy, then get topped with gooey marshmallow and glossy melted chocolate for that true hot cocoa-inspired finish. They are perfect for cookie exchanges, dessert boards, Christmas parties, and cozy winter nights when you want an easy recipe that feels homemade, indulgent, and unforgettable.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks
12 large marshmallows, halved
1/2 cup chocolate ganache or melted semi-sweet chocolate
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract until smooth.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
6. Fold in the chocolate chunks evenly throughout the dough.
7. Scoop the dough into 24 even portions and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers are still soft.
9. Remove the trays from the oven, top each cookie with half a marshmallow, and return to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes until the marshmallows puff slightly.
10. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes, then spoon melted chocolate or ganache over the marshmallows before serving.
Notes
For the best soft texture, avoid overbaking the cookies and pull them out when the centers still look slightly underdone.
Add the marshmallows near the end of baking so they stay soft and puffy without melting completely into the cookies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 32mg
Keywords: Hot Chocolate Christmas Cookies, christmas cookies, holiday cookies, chocolate cookies, marshmallow cookies, easy recipe, dessert ideas, food ideas, holiday dessert, cookie exchange recipe