Is there anything better than curling up with a mug of hot cocoa on a chilly winter day? I don’t think so! But you know what *might* be even better? Turning that cozy feeling into a cookie! That’s exactly what these Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies are all about. Seriously, these aren’t just cookies; they’re like a warm hug in every bite.

I’ve been baking cookies for, oh, I don’t even want to say how many years, and I’m always looking for ways to make them extra special. And trust me, the gooey marshmallow surprise in the middle of these? Total game-changer! It’s like a little burst of happiness with every single bite. Get ready to fall in love with these!

Why You’ll Love These Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Okay, seriously, you NEED these cookies in your life. Here’s why:

They taste like a mug of hot cocoa and a toasted marshmallow had a baby (a delicious, cookie-shaped baby!).
The texture is just *perfect* – soft, chewy, and a little bit gooey.
They’re surprisingly easy to make. Don’t let the marshmallow surprise intimidate you!

The Perfect Blend of Flavors

The hot cocoa flavor is rich and comforting, but it’s not overpowering, you know? It’s like that perfect mug you make on a snow day. And then, BAM! The marshmallow melts into this gooey, sweet pocket that just takes it to another level. My favorite part is that the chocolate drizzle just adds the perfect amount of extra chocolatey goodness!

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Simple and Fun to Make

Don’t let the “surprise” part fool you. These Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies are totally doable, even for beginner bakers! I promise. The steps are simple, and honestly, pressing the marshmallows into the cookies is kind of therapeutic. Plus, the chilling time? Perfect excuse to watch your favorite show!

A Marshmallow-Surprise in Every Bite

Seriously, the marshmallow center is where it’s AT! It’s soft, gooey, and adds this incredible sweetness that balances the cocoa perfectly. It’s like a hidden treasure in every cookie! And who doesn’t love a little surprise? Trust me, everyone will be asking for the recipe after just one bite of these.

Gather Your Ingredients for Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Alright, let’s get down to business! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these amazing cookies:

What You Need to Make Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Make sure you’ve got:

1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature (this is important!)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled, promise!)
1/3 cup (27g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup (40g) dry hot cocoa mix
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons (10ml) milk (any kind works!)
10–11 large marshmallows, cut in half (the surprise!)
8 ounces (226g) semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped (for that drizzle!)

How to Make Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies: Step-by-Step

Okay, let’s get baking! These Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies are easier than you think, I promise. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying warm, gooey cookies in no time. Don’t forget to preheat that oven and chill that dough – super important!

Preparing the Dough for Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

First, cream together your softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until it’s all light and fluffy. Next, beat in the egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, hot cocoa mix, baking soda, and salt. Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until *just* combined. Don’t overmix! Stir in the milk. The dough will be thick and sticky, and that’s perfect! Now here’s the key: cover the dough and chill it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Trust me, this chilling time is ESSENTIAL for those perfectly chewy cookies!

Baking Your Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Alright, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line those baking sheets with parchment paper – nobody wants stuck cookies! Scoop the chilled dough into tablespoon-sized balls and arrange them on the baking sheets. Bake for about 10 minutes. Then, pull them out and gently press a marshmallow half into the top of each cookie. Pop them back into the oven for just 2 more minutes. The marshmallows will get all soft and gooey! When they come out, gently flatten the marshmallows with the back of a spoon. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

The Chocolate Drizzle Finish for Your Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

While the cookies are cooling, melt your semi-sweet chocolate. You can use a double boiler if you’re feeling fancy, or just microwave it in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until it’s smooth. Careful, it can burn easily! Once the chocolate is melted, spoon it over the cooled cookies in a pretty drizzle. Let the chocolate set for about 30-60 minutes before diving in. Or, you know, just eat one (or three) while the chocolate is still melty. I won’t judge!

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Tips for Perfect Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Want to take your Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies from good to AMAZING? Here are a few of my favorite tips!

The Secret to Soft and Chewy Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Okay, listen up – the *real* secret to those soft, chewy cookies? Two things: chilling the dough and using properly softened butter. Seriously! Don’t skip the chilling step; it prevents the cookies from spreading too thin. And make sure your butter is actually soft, not melted. You want it to be soft enough that you can easily press a finger into it. I usually leave mine out for about an hour, but it depends on the weather, of course!

Choosing the Right Chocolate for Your Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Okay, I’m a bit of a chocolate snob, I’ll admit it. Using good-quality chocolate makes a HUGE difference in these cookies. I usually go for semi-sweet, but dark chocolate is also delicious if you’re into that! When melting the chocolate, go slow and steady. Low heat is your friend! And don’t let any water get in there, or it’ll seize up and be a mess. Trust me, I’ve been there!

Marshmallow Placement for the Best Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Alright, here’s a little trick I’ve learned: don’t press the marshmallows in *too* hard. You want them to kind of sit on top of the cookie. And the timing is key! You want to add them when the cookies are mostly baked but still a little soft, so they get all gooey and melty but don’t completely disappear. Also, make sure you flatten them a little after they come out of the oven – it makes them look extra pretty!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Let’s talk ingredients! Sometimes you gotta make swaps, and that’s totally okay. Here’s the lowdown on a few key players:

All About Cocoa Powder in Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Okay, so cocoa powder isn’t just cocoa powder, ya know? I usually use natural unsweetened cocoa powder because I like the slightly bitter, intense chocolate flavor. But Dutch-processed cocoa will also work! It’s a bit milder and darker. Just don’t use hot cocoa mix instead of cocoa powder – they’re totally different things and will mess with the texture of your Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies!

Milk Options for Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Good news – you can use pretty much *any* kind of milk in these! Dairy or nondairy, it’s all good. I’ve used everything from regular milk to almond milk to oat milk, and they all work great. I mean, it’s only 2 teaspoons, so it’s not gonna make a huge difference. Just use what you have on hand!

Can I Use Different Types of Marshmallows in These Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies?

Okay, so the big marshmallows cut in half are my go-to, but you can definitely experiment! Mini marshmallows will work, but they might melt a little *too* much and disappear. Jumbo marshmallows would be a bit much, I think. Flavored marshmallows? Hmm… maybe! Chocolate or peppermint marshmallows could be fun for the holidays! Just keep an eye on them while they’re baking, since different marshmallows might melt at different rates. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, try toasting the marshmallows with a kitchen torch for a minute or two before you let them cool, it will make the cookies look and taste like they’ve come right out of a gourmet bakery.

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Storing Your Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

So, you’ve baked these beauties… now how do you keep them tasting amazing? Here’s the scoop on storing and reheating!

How to Keep Your Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies Fresh

The key is an airtight container! Seriously, that’s it. Just pop your cooled Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies into a container with a good seal, and they’ll stay soft and chewy for up to a week. I usually keep mine on the counter, but you could also store them in the fridge if you prefer them cold. (Though, I don’t know why you would!)

Reheating Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Want that fresh-from-the-oven gooeyness again? Easy! Just pop a Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookie in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Careful, the marshmallow can get HOT! Or, if you’re feeling patient, you can reheat them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes. Either way, warm cookies are the best cookies!

Can I Freeze Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies?

Yes, you totally can! To freeze baked cookies, let them cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer bag. They’ll last for up to 2-3 months. You can also freeze the unbaked dough! Just scoop the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them straight into the oven (you might need to add a minute or two to the baking time). Freezing the dough is seriously a lifesaver when you need a cookie fix FAST!

FAQ About Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some common questions about these yummy cookies:

Can I make these Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough actually *benefits* from chilling, so you can totally make it a day or two in advance. Just keep it covered in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, simply scoop, add the marshmallows, and bake as directed. Easy peasy! This is seriously my favorite thing about these cookies, I can whip up the dough whenever I have time and bake them fresh later.

What if my Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies are too flat?

Flat cookies are a bummer, I know! Usually, it means your butter was too soft (or even melted). Make sure it’s just softened, not greasy. Also, make sure you chill that dough! If your oven runs hot, you might also try lowering the temperature by 25 degrees. And, you know, sometimes it just happens! They’ll still taste delicious, even if they’re not perfectly puffy.

Can I add chocolate chips to these Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies?

Oh, you KNOW I’m gonna say YES! I mean, more chocolate is always a good idea, right? Just fold in about 1/2 cup of your favorite chocolate chips (milk chocolate, dark chocolate, even white chocolate would be yummy!) along with the milk. They’ll add even more chocolatey goodness to these already amazing cookies!

What kind of hot cocoa mix is best for Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies?

Honestly? Use your favorite! I usually go for a classic milk chocolate hot cocoa mix, but you could definitely experiment with different flavors. Dark chocolate hot cocoa would be amazing for a richer flavor. Peppermint hot cocoa around the holidays? YES, PLEASE! Just make sure it’s a dry mix, not a liquid concentrate. I usually grab whatever’s on sale, but the Ghirardelli Double Chocolate is my go to for a good bold cocoa flavor!

Nutritional Information for Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies

Okay, so here’s the deal: nutritional info can vary *a lot* depending on the brands and ingredients you use. So, the numbers below are just estimates – don’t take ’em as gospel, okay?

Share Your Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookie Creations!

Okay, you’ve made these, right? I wanna see! Rate the recipe below, leave a comment telling me what you think, and share your photos on social media! Don’t forget to tag me so I can drool over your Marshmallow-Surprise Hot Cocoa Cookies!