Description
These Hot Chocolate Christmas Cookies capture the cozy magic of your favorite winter drink in cookie form. Rich chocolate cookies topped with toasted marshmallows create the perfect holiday treat that’s both nostalgic and irresistible.
Ingredients
1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
2/3 cup (133g) packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
2/3 cup (60g) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups (255g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
24–30 large marshmallows
Optional: chocolate chips for drizzling
Optional: crushed candy canes
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing 30 seconds after each. Add vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture in two additions, mixing on low speed just until no flour streaks remain.
6. Fold in chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion dough into balls. Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Cookies should be set at edges but soft in centers.
9. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
10. Once cooled, place cookies back on baking sheet. Top each with one large marshmallow, flat-side down.
11. Return to 350°F oven for 2-3 minutes until marshmallows puff and turn golden. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
12. Remove from oven and gently press each marshmallow down slightly with the back of a spoon.
13. Optional: melt chocolate chips and drizzle over cooled, topped cookies.
14. Let marshmallow-topped cookies cool completely before storing or serving.
Notes
Cookies taste best when slightly underbaked—centers should look soft when removed from oven.
For make-ahead convenience, freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days with parchment between layers.
For a peppermint twist, add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract and crushed candy canes to the dough.
You can substitute dark chocolate chips for a less sweet, more sophisticated cookie.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 12
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: chocolate christmas cookies, hot chocolate cookies, holiday cookies, christmas baking, marshmallow cookies, festive desserts
