Hot Cocoa Cookies with Marshmallows

These soft, brownie-like hot cocoa cookies are topped with marshmallows and finished with a glossy chocolate glaze and festive sprinkles. Just like a mug of hot chocolate, but with all the classic Christmas flavors in one cookie!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword hot chocolate cookies, hot cocoa cookies, hot cocoa cookies with marshmallows

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings cookies

Calories 277kcal

Author Julia

Ingredients

For the cookies

½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all purpose flour spooned and leveled
⅓ cup cocoa powder
¼ cup hot cocoa mix
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
2 tablespoons whole milk
14 large marshmallows cut in half

For the chocolate glaze

1 ⅓ cups powdered sugar
2 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter melted
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons hot water
Christmas sprinkles optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make cookies:

In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), beat the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until creamy and well combined, about 2–3 minutes.
Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix again until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, hot cocoa mix, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in two additions, mixing until just combined. Add the milk and mix briefly until the dough comes together.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour, or overnight if preferred. At this point, the dough will be much too sticky to work with; therefore, chilling is essential.
When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes to soften slightly. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Scoop 1 ½ tablespoon portions (about 30g each). Roll into smooth balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
Keep any remaining dough balls chilled if baking in batches.
Bake for cookies for 10 minutes, then remove the tray from the oven and gently press a marshmallow half, sticky side down, onto the center of each cookie.
Return to the oven and bake for an additional 3 minutes, or until the marshmallows are puffed and soft.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the glaze:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, melted butter, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add the hot water until the glaze has a thick but pourable consistency.
Spoon the glaze over the cooled cookies, letting it drip naturally over the marshmallows. Add Christmas sprinkles while the glaze is still wet. Allow the glaze to set fully before stacking or packaging.

Notes

You’ll want hot cocoa mix here—not a cup of prepared hot chocolate. The dry mix (those little packets or a canister) adds sweet, malty “hot cocoa” flavor.
Use all brown sugar (no granulated sugar) in a cookie dough - The all–brown sugar formula helps the cookies bake up soft, thick, and slightly chewy.

Make-Ahead Tips

Chill the dough (best flavor): I cover and refrigerate the mixed dough for up to 48 hours. Let it sit at room temperature 10–15 minutes to soften slightly before scooping.
Pre-scoop for speed: Scoop into 1½ tablespoon balls, place on a tray, cover, and refrigerate up to 48 hours. Bake as directed, adding the marshmallow at the 10-minute mark.
Bake now, glaze later: You can bake the cookies (with marshmallows) a day ahead, cool completely, then glaze the day of serving for the freshest shine.

Storage Tips

Refrigerator: In an airtight container up to 1 week; bring to room temperature before serving.
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze baked (un-glazed, no marshmallows or glaze) cookies for up to 2 months. Add marshmallows and glaze after thawing.

Nutrition