Hot Chocolate Cookies (Soft, Chewy & Marshmallow-Filled)

Warm, rich, and irresistibly nostalgic, these Hot Chocolate Cookies capture everything we love about a cozy cup of cocoa—transformed into a soft, bakery-style cookie. With a deep chocolate flavor, gooey pockets of melted chocolate, and that unmistakable hot-chocolate sweetness, each bite feels like comfort wrapped in a cookie.

What makes this recipe so special is its texture. The cookies bake up with soft, chewy centers and lightly crisp edges, while mini marshmallows melt into the dough for a gooey, indulgent finish. They’re the kind of cookies that fill your kitchen with warmth and invite you to slow down and enjoy the moment.

Perfect for winter baking, holiday trays, or anytime you’re craving a cozy dessert, these cookies are easy to make and impossible to resist. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or dipped into a mug of hot cocoa, they deliver pure comfort in every bite.

Keep reading to discover how simple ingredients come together to create a cookie that tastes just like your favorite hot chocolate—only better ☕🍪✨

Why You’ll Love It

Hot Chocolate Cookies are the ultimate cozy dessert, especially when you’re craving something warm, rich, and comforting. They take everything you love about a classic cup of hot cocoa—deep chocolate flavor, creamy sweetness, and gooey marshmallows—and transform it into a soft, bakery-style cookie that feels nostalgic and indulgent.

One of the biggest reasons to love this recipe is its texture. These cookies bake up with tender, chewy centers and lightly crisp edges, creating the perfect contrast in every bite. The marshmallows melt slightly into the dough, forming pockets of gooey sweetness that make each cookie feel extra special.

You’ll also appreciate how approachable this recipe is. It uses simple pantry ingredients and doesn’t require advanced baking skills, making it perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned cookie lovers alike. The dough comes together quickly, and the results are consistently delicious.

Another standout feature is how seasonal yet timeless these cookies are. They’re perfect for winter baking, holidays, and cozy evenings, but their rich chocolate flavor makes them irresistible year-round. Serve them with milk, coffee, or—of course—a mug of hot chocolate.

Most importantly, these cookies bring comfort. They’re warm, familiar, and deeply satisfying—the kind of treat that makes you want to curl up, slow down, and enjoy every bite.

Ingredients + Tips

Cocoa Powder

Unsweetened cocoa powder gives these cookies their deep chocolate flavor.

Tip: Use high-quality cocoa powder for the richest taste.

Hot Chocolate Mix

Hot cocoa mix adds sweetness and that signature nostalgic flavor.

Tip: Use classic cocoa mix without marshmallows for better texture control.

Flour

All-purpose flour provides structure while keeping the cookies soft.

Tip: Measure flour accurately to avoid dry cookies.

Butter

Butter adds richness and helps create soft centers.

Tip: Use softened butter—not melted—for proper creaming.

Sugar

A mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar gives both moisture and structure.

Tip: Brown sugar helps keep cookies chewy.

Marshmallows

Mini marshmallows melt beautifully into the cookies.

Tip: Press extra marshmallows on top halfway through baking for a bakery-style look.

Steps (Soft Cookies & Gooey Centers)

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, hot chocolate mix, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a separate bowl, beat butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Mix in eggs and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.

Step 6: Add Chocolate and Marshmallows

Fold in chocolate chips and mini marshmallows gently.

Step 7: Bake

Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets and bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are set but centers remain soft.

Step 8: Cool

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Variations

Hot Chocolate Cookies are easy to customize:

• Peppermint Version: Add crushed candy canes or peppermint extract.

• Dark Chocolate: Use dark chocolate chips for deeper flavor.

• Stuffed Cookies: Add a marshmallow or chocolate square inside each cookie.

• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

• Espresso Boost: Add instant espresso powder to intensify chocolate flavor.

Each variation keeps the cozy essence while offering a new twist.

Storage & Reheating

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Freezing

Freeze baked cookies or cookie dough balls for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Warm cookies in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to revive gooey centers.

Serving Suggestions

Hot Chocolate Cookies are perfect on their own, but they shine even more with:

• A mug of hot chocolate or coffee

• Cold milk for dipping

• Ice cream sandwiches

• Holiday cookie platters

• Gift boxes for festive occasions

Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

Hot Chocolate Cookies are more than just a dessert—they’re an experience. With their rich chocolate flavor, soft centers, and gooey marshmallow pockets, they capture the comforting feeling of sipping hot cocoa on a cold day, wrapped up in cookie form.

What makes these cookies so special is their balance. They’re indulgent without being overwhelming, sweet without being cloying, and soft without being cakey. Each bite delivers warmth, nostalgia, and pure comfort, making them perfect for quiet nights at home or sharing with loved ones.

This recipe is also wonderfully versatile. Whether you dress it up with peppermint for the holidays, keep it classic, or add a twist of dark chocolate, it adapts easily while staying true to its cozy roots. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to year after year.

There’s something magical about cookies fresh from the oven—the smell, the warmth, the anticipation. Hot Chocolate Cookies amplify that magic by combining familiar flavors with an irresistibly soft texture that makes it hard to stop at just one.

Once you bake these, they’re bound to become a favorite. They’re easy, reliable, and deeply satisfying—everything a homemade cookie should be. Whether enjoyed with a warm drink or shared during the holidays, these cookies deliver comfort in every bite.