Description
Delight in these rich Hot Cocoa Cookies featuring a luscious blend of melted chocolate and cocoa powder, topped with toasted marshmallows and a decadent cocoa icing. Perfect for cozying up with a glass of milk or a warm cup of hot cocoa, these cookies boast a crackled top, soft interior, and festive sprinkles to brighten any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Topping
- 12 large marshmallows, cut in half crosswise/horizontally
Icing
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Assorted sprinkles
Instructions
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: Place the butter and chopped semi-sweet chocolate in a heat-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes to avoid cooking the eggs later.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients and Chocolate: Using an electric mixer on low speed, beat the brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until smooth. Gently mix in the cooled chocolate and butter mixture just until blended. Carefully fold in the flour mixture in two batches, mixing until just combined. The resulting dough will be thick and sticky, resembling brownie batter.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. If chilling longer than 4 hours, allow the dough to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping to make it easier to handle.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and enable easy cleanup.
- Shape Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, form balls of the chilled dough and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until their tops develop a distinctive crackled appearance but are still soft to the touch.
- Add Marshmallows: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press one marshmallow half, cut side down, onto the center top of each cookie to enjoy a toasted, gooey topping.
- Toast Marshmallows: Return the cookies to the oven and bake for approximately 3 minutes, or until the marshmallows begin to soften and slightly brown.
- Cool Cookies: Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Icing: In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, cocoa powder, hot water, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
- Decorate Cookies: Place the wire rack with cooled cookies over a baking sheet to catch drips. Spoon a small amount of icing atop each marshmallow, spreading gently with the back of the spoon. Immediately sprinkle assorted sprinkles on each before the icing dries to create festive decoration.
- Set Icing: Allow the icing to set and dry completely, approximately 30-60 minutes, before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Enjoy these decadent Hot Cocoa Cookies with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of hot cocoa for the ultimate cozy treat.
Notes
- For best results, use high-quality semi-sweet chocolate for a richer flavor.
- If the dough is too firm after chilling, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before scooping.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage.
- Adjust sweetness by opting for dark chocolate or reducing brown sugar slightly if desired.
