Mmmm... Hot Chocolate Cookies are chewy, chocolatey perfection topped with sweet gooey marshmallow fluff. An easy holiday cookie recipe using hot chocolate mix, that kids will love to eat and help bake.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (375 for high altitude). Line several cookie sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, or in a stand mixer cream butter and sugars on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, beating 1 minute between each egg, then mix in vanilla extract.
Whisk together flour, salt, hot chocolate mix, baking powder and baking soda in a medium bowl. Then with mixer on low, add ½ cup of dry mixture to butter mixture, mixing only until all dry ingredients are incorporated. Don't overmix.
Cover dough and chill in refrigerator for one hour.
Use a small or medium cookie scoop and form one inch dough balls, place 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes (8-10 for high altitude). Let cookies cool on baking sheet 2 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.
Drop a small spoonful of marshmallow fluff onto the middle of each cooled cookie. Garnish with dehydrated mini marshmallows and crushed candy canes if desired.
Notes
High Altitude Tips
Increase flour by 2 tablespoons
Decrease baking soda to ¾ teaspoon
Decrease baking powder to ¾ teaspoon
Decrease granulated sugar to ¾ cup
Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes – don’t over bake
Notes:
Do not use too much marshmallow fluff on the cookie tops. Start with a little and add more, too much and it will run off the sides.
You can freeze the cookies for up to three months without topping. Apply topping when ready to eat after cookies have thawed.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for about one week. But like my whoopie pies, they are also delicious when chilled!Freeze | You can freeze the cookies for up to three months, wrap well so they don't absorb freezer flavors. I suggest skipping the topping until you are ready to eat the cookies and after they have completely thawed.Refrigerate | You can also store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about five days.Make ahead cookie dough | Place cookie dough in baggie or airtight container and store in refrigerator up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge, then bring to scoop temperature sitting on the counter for 30 minutes.