Description
These Hot Chocolate Christmas Cookies are rich, fudgy, gooey, and packed with deep chocolate flavor in every bite. Inspired by a warm mug of hot cocoa, these festive cookies feature soft chocolate centers, melty chocolate chunks, and toasted marshmallows for the ultimate holiday dessert experience. Perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, homemade food gifts, easy dessert ideas, holiday baking, winter snacks, and cozy family gatherings, these bakery-style cookies are simple to make yet incredibly impressive to serve.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chunks
12 large marshmallows halved
1/2 cup melted chocolate for drizzle
2 tablespoons crushed candy canes optional
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips optional
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
6. Fold in the chocolate chunks gently using a spatula.
7. Cover the dough and chill for 30 to 45 minutes.
8. Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart.
9. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
10. Remove the cookies from the oven and gently press half a marshmallow into the center of each cookie.
11. Return the cookies to the oven for 1 to 2 minutes until the marshmallows soften slightly.
12. Drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies and top with crushed candy canes or mini chocolate chips if desired.
13. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
14. Serve warm for the ultimate gooey hot chocolate cookie experience.
Notes
Chilling the dough helps create thicker bakery-style cookies with fudgy centers.
Add the marshmallows near the end of baking to prevent burning or melting completely into the dough.
Slightly underbaking the cookies keeps the centers soft, gooey, and rich after cooling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: hot chocolate cookies, christmas cookies, holiday cookies, chocolate cookies, marshmallow cookies, easy dessert, holiday baking, winter desserts, festive cookies