Embrace the spirit of the season with a cookie that encapsulates the warm, cozy essence of winter. Our hot cocoa cookies are the perfect fusion of a beloved classic and a creative twist, combining the rich, familiar flavors of hot cocoa with the delight of a gooey chocolate chip cookie.
With a soft, chewy, and slightly crumbly texture, easy hot cocoa cookies feature a moist and tender interior, similar to classic chocolate chip cookies, providing a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Hot cocoa cookies capture the cozy, nostalgic flavors of a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
These delicious cookies are the perfect treat to enjoy during the winter season or at holiday gatherings like a cookie swap, evoking a sense of warmth and holiday cheer.
Can You Use Hot Cocoa Mix for Cookies?
Yes, Yes, you can use hot cocoa mix in cookie recipes! Using hot cocoa mix can add a unique and delicious cocoa and sweet flavor to your hot cocoa cookies, creating a cozy, wintery twist on a classic favorite.
How to Make Hot Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 c unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅔ c brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 t vanilla
- 3 ½ c all purpose flour
- 1 c hot cocoa drink mix
- 1 t salt
- 1 t baking soda
- 2 t baking powder
- 1 c dark chocolate chips
- 1 c mini dehydrated marshmallow bits
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Line your baking sheet(s) with parchment and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter, sugar and brown sugar.
Cream butter mixture until smooth.
Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix well.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, hot cocoa mix, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
Add to wet ingredients. Switch to the paddle attachment and mix the dry ingredients thoroughly.
Add in the chocolate chips and the marshmallows into the flour mixture. Mix well. If your mixer is struggling, mix by hand until the chips and marshmallows are thoroughly combined.
Scoop out golf-ball sized cookie dough balls and place on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake your gooey hot chocolate cookies for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is no longer shiny. Allow to cool completely.
Storage: Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for about one week or frozen for 3 months.
Relevant Recipes
- Holiday Cookie Exchange Ideas
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Favorite Cookies Recipes
- Hot Cocoa Dip
- Hot Cocoa Cupcakes
- Christmas Hot Chocolate Recipes
Variations and Creative Additions
While this easy hot chocolate cookie recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, there’s always room for creativity in the kitchen. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to tailor these cookies to your taste preferences and occasion.
- After placing the cookie dough on the baking sheet, press a few mini marshmallows in the center of each cookie. This will give your cookies a gooey and fluffy marshmallow texture reminiscent of a cup of hot cocoa.
- Mix in white chocolate chips with the cookie dough.
- Add a touch of peppermint extract or crushed peppermint candies to the cookie dough for a festive holiday twist.
- Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle them with melted dark chocolate for an elegant touch and an extra layer of rich chocolate flavor.
- Incorporate spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spiced hot cocoa cookie.
- Chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans can be mixed into the dough to add a delightful crunch and a nutty undertone to the cookies.
- A light sprinkle of sea salt on top of each cookie just before baking can enhance the overall flavor, adding a balance of sweetness and saltiness.
Hot Chocolate Mix Cookies Recipe FAQs
You can use hot chocolate mix as a cocoa powder substitute in cookies, but there are some factors to keep in mind. Hot chocolate mix is typically sweetened, which may make your cookies sweeter than intended. It also has added flavorings and a different texture, potentially altering the taste and consistency of your cookies. It’s advisable to experiment with a test batch and adjust the recipe to account for the sweetness and flavor of the hot chocolate mix.
What is the difference between hot cocoa and hot cocoa?
The terms “hot cocoa” and “hot chocolate” are often used interchangeably, but there is a general distinction. Hot cocoa is typically a lighter, sweeter beverage made from cocoa powder, sugar, and milk. Hot chocolate is usually a richer and thicker drink made from solid chocolate or chocolate shavings melted into hot milk or cream. However, regional and personal interpretations can lead to variations in the use of these terms.
Yes, you can use hot chocolate powder instead of cocoa powder in cookies, but some considerations apply. Real hot chocolate mix is typically sweetened, so it may make your cookies sweeter, requiring a reduction in added sugar. It also has different texture and flavor profiles due to its sugar and other ingredients, potentially altering the texture and taste of your cookies. To use hot chocolate powder as a substitute, it’s advisable to experiment with a test batch and adjust the recipe accordingly for your desired results.
Hot Cocoa Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 c unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅔ c brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 t vanilla
- 3 ½ c all purpose flour
- 1 c hot cocoa drink mix
- 1 t salt
- 1 t baking soda
- 2 t baking powder
- 1 c dark chocolate chips
- 1 c mini dehydrated marshmallow bits
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Line your baking sheet(s) with parchment and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened butter, sugar and brown sugar.
Cream butter mixture until smooth.
Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix well.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, hot cocoa mix, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
Add to wet ingredients. Switch to the paddle attachment and mix the dry ingredients thoroughly.
Add in the chocolate chips and the marshmallows into the flour mixture. Mix well. If your mixer is struggling, mix by hand until the chips and marshmallows are thoroughly combined.
Scoop out golf-ball sized cookie dough balls and place on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake your gooey hot chocolate cookies for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is no longer shiny. Allow to cool completely.
Storage: Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for about one week or frozen for 3 months.
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