Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Surprise Cookies Recipe
Introduction
These Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Surprise Cookies are the perfect sweet winter treat. Soft, chocolatey cookies hide gooey mini marshmallows inside, mimicking the cozy feeling of a warm cup of hot cocoa. They’re a fun and delicious way to brighten chilly days.

Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Step 3: Mix in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract, stirring until well combined.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined.
- Step 6: Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Step 7: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto the baking sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart.
- Step 8: Make a small indent in the center of each cookie, fill it with a few mini marshmallows, then cover with a bit of dough to hide the marshmallows.
- Step 9: Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Step 10: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips & Variations
- For extra gooey marshmallows, add them toward the end of baking or press a few into the tops of warm cookies right after baking.
- Try using a mix of dark and milk chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
- If mini marshmallows are unavailable, chop regular marshmallows into small pieces before adding.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent spreading and create thicker cookies.
Storage
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To keep marshmallows soft, avoid refrigeration. Reheat gently in a microwave for 10-15 seconds if you want warm, gooey marshmallows again.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular-sized marshmallows instead of mini ones?
Yes, but it’s best to chop regular marshmallows into smaller pieces so they fit nicely inside the cookie and melt evenly.
How do I prevent the marshmallows from burning?
Making a small indent and covering the marshmallows with a bit of dough helps protect them. Also, keep baking time within the recommended 10-12 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Print
Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Surprise Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Description
These Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Surprise Cookies are a delightful winter treat that combines rich cocoa flavor with melty chocolate chips and gooey mini marshmallows hidden inside. Perfect for cozying up on cold days, these soft and chewy cookies deliver all the comfort of hot cocoa in a convenient cookie form.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Mini marshmallows (amount as needed for centers)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter-sugar mixture, beating after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined to enhance flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and cocoa.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Carefully fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout the dough for pockets of melted chocolate.
- Portion Dough: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Add Marshmallow Centers: Make a small indent in the center of each dough mound, fill it with a few mini marshmallows, and then cover the marshmallows with a bit of cookie dough to conceal the surprise inside.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges look set but the centers remain soft, indicating a chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them onto a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to set properly.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for best creaming results.
- Do not overbake; cookies should be chewy and soft in the center for that marshmallow gooey texture.
- You can substitute mini marshmallows with regular marshmallows cut into smaller pieces.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and moisture.
- For an added twist, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top before baking to balance the sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Marshmallow cookies, hot cocoa cookies, winter treats, chocolate chip cookies, soft cookies, holiday desserts

