Easiest hot chocolate cookies have truly become my go-to for any time I need a quick, comforting treat. I remember one particularly chilly evening when I craved something warm and chocolatey, but didn’t have much time. I whipped these up, and the aroma of rich chocolate filled my kitchen almost instantly! They’re so simple, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with complicated recipes. This truly is the simple hot chocolate cookie recipe you’ve been searching for. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love These Easiest Hot Chocolate Cookies
You’re going to adore these cookies because they are just so darn easy! They truly live up to their name as the easiest hot chocolate cookies you can make.
- They are incredibly quick hot chocolate cookies, ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
- This is a genuinely foolproof hot chocolate cookie recipe; even if you’re new to baking, you can’t go wrong.
- It’s the perfect beginner hot chocolate cookie recipe, requiring minimal effort and no fancy techniques.
- Enjoy the rich, comforting flavor of hot chocolate in every single bite.
- They are wonderfully soft and chewy, making them a joy to eat.
- This recipe is practically a no-fail hot chocolate cookie recipe, thanks to the cake mix base.
- It’s a fantastic option when you need a sweet treat in a hurry, making them the fastest hot chocolate cookie recipe.
- As a bonus, this is also a great beginner hot chocolate cookie recipe for kids to help with!
Ingredients for Easiest Hot Chocolate Cookies
Gather these simple ingredients for the most delightful and straightforward cookies you’ll ever bake. This recipe truly makes for one-bowl hot chocolate cookies, minimizing your cleanup!
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box Devil’s Food cake mix – this is the magic ingredient that makes them so easy!
- 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil – any neutral-flavored oil works beautifully here.
- 2 large eggs – room temperature eggs incorporate better, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips – for those little bursts of chocolatey goodness throughout the cookie.
- 9 large marshmallows, cut in half horizontally – these create a gooey surprise inside.
- 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, for drizzling – a final touch for that classic hot chocolate look and extra chocolate flavor.
Key Ingredients and Their Role
The Devil’s Food cake mix is the secret to why these are the easiest hot chocolate cookies; it provides the perfect chocolatey base and structure. The oil and eggs bind everything together, ensuring a moist and chewy texture. Those mini chocolate chips and marshmallows are what really give these cookies their signature hot chocolate flavor and a delightful gooey center.
How to Make Easiest Hot Chocolate Cookies
Learning how to make easy hot chocolate cookies is a game-changer for your baking routine. These are genuinely the fastest hot chocolate cookie recipe you’ll come across, perfect for when a chocolate craving hits hard and fast! You’ll be amazed at how simple this process is.
Step-by-Step Baking Guide
Follow these straightforward steps to create your own batch of these delightful cookies. This guide ensures you have a truly no-fail hot chocolate cookie recipe in your repertoire.
Mixing the Dough
First, get your oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets. In a large bowl, combine the Devil’s Food cake mix, oil, and eggs. Mix them together until you have a wonderfully thick, smooth dough.
Shaping and Marshmallow Placement
Scoop about a tablespoon of the dough and roll it into a 1-inch ball. Place these dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between them. Gently press a halved marshmallow, cut-side down, into the center of each cookie dough ball.
Baking and Cooling
Bake for just 10-12 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be set and the marshmallows to be puffy and slightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
The Chocolate Drizzle
While your cookies cool, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips. You can do this in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, or use a double boiler. Once smooth, artfully drizzle the melted chocolate over the completely cooled cookies for that signature hot chocolate finish.
Pro Tips for the Best Easy Hot Chocolate Cookies
Want to elevate your cookie game? Here are a few tricks I’ve picked up to make these the absolute best:
- Don’t overbake! The cookies continue to set as they cool, so pulling them out when the edges look just done is key for that gooey center.
- For an even richer chocolate flavor, try adding a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dry mix. It really makes the chocolate pop!
- Make sure your marshmallows are fresh. Stale marshmallows won’t get as delightfully gooey.
- If you want to make them look extra special, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt on top of the marshmallow before baking.
What’s the secret to perfect easiest hot chocolate cookies?
The real secret to achieving that melt in your mouth hot chocolate cookies texture is not to overmix the dough once you add the wet ingredients, and definitely not to overbake them. A slightly underbaked cookie will continue to cook on the hot baking sheet, ensuring a tender crumb. For more baking tips, check out the beauty of food.
Can I make easiest hot chocolate cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough balls and press in the marshmallows up to a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This can actually help develop the flavors, leading to a chewy hot chocolate cookies easy recipe experience. Just bake as usual, adding a minute or two if they seem very cold.
How do I avoid common mistakes with easiest hot chocolate cookies?
A common pitfall for a beginner hot chocolate cookie recipe is overmixing, which can lead to tough cookies. Also, ensure your marshmallows are cut and ready to go before you start rolling the dough, so they don’t melt too much. Finally, don’t skip the cooling step; they need that time to firm up properly. Learn more about versatile grains that can be used in baking.
Best Ways to Serve Easiest Hot Chocolate Cookies
These cookies are pure comfort in every bite, and they are truly delicious easy hot chocolate cookies. Picture this: a warm mug of creamy hot cocoa alongside one of these perfectly baked treats. The combination is pure bliss, especially on a chilly day. They are also fantastic served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra decadent dessert experience that highlights their gooey hot chocolate cookies easy centers. For a similar comforting dessert, try our berry crumble.
Nutrition Facts for Easiest Hot Chocolate Cookies
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect in each delightful cookie, though remember these are estimates as your specific ingredients may vary.
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
How to Store and Reheat Easiest Hot Chocolate Cookies
Once your batch of these wonderfully delicious easy hot chocolate cookies has cooled completely, it’s time to think about storing them. For the best flavor and texture, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. This method is great for keeping cookies fresh for about 3 to 4 days. If you find yourself with more cookies than you can eat in a week, don’t worry! These cookies freeze beautifully. Wrap them well in plastic wrap, then in foil, and pop them into the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can simply let them thaw at room temperature, or for a warm treat, microwave them for about 10-15 seconds to get that melty center back. For more tips on preserving flavors, check out this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Easiest Hot Chocolate Cookies
What are the easiest hot chocolate cookies to make?
These cookies, made with a cake mix base, are hands down the easiest! They require minimal ingredients and steps, making them a perfect choice for anyone looking for a simple baking project. You don’t need any special skills to achieve a delicious result.
How do I bake simple chocolate cookies that taste like hot chocolate?
The key is using a Devil’s Food cake mix, which provides a rich chocolate flavor. Adding marshmallows and mini chocolate chips enhances that hot chocolate essence. The process is straightforward: mix, scoop, bake, and drizzle. It’s truly a foolproof method for delicious cookies.
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
While Devil’s Food cake mix gives you the best hot chocolate flavor, you could experiment with other chocolate cake mixes. However, for the authentic hot chocolate taste, Devil’s Food is highly recommended. It’s the foundation of this simple hot chocolate cookie recipe.
Why did my marshmallows sink into the cookies?
Sometimes marshmallows can sink if the dough is too soft or if they aren’t pressed in firmly enough. Ensure your dough is a good, thick consistency and press the marshmallow halves cut-side down into the center of each cookie dough ball before baking. This helps them stay put.
Variations of Easiest Hot Chocolate Cookies You Can Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe for these easiest hot chocolate cookies, feel free to get creative! You can easily adapt this to suit your tastes or dietary needs, making it a truly versatile treat. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next batch of rich chocolate cookies easy recipe creations:
- Gluten-Free Option: Simply swap the Devil’s Food cake mix for a gluten-free chocolate cake mix. The process remains the same, making it a fantastic option for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Peppermint Twist: Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough and a few crushed candy canes to the melted chocolate drizzle. This gives them a delightful festive flair, reminiscent of holiday hot chocolate.
- White Chocolate Drizzle: Instead of semi-sweet chocolate, try drizzling with melted white chocolate chips. It creates a beautiful visual contrast and a slightly different flavor profile.
- Cookie Crinkle Style: For something akin to easy chocolate crinkle cookies hot chocolate, roll the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking. This gives them a lovely crackled appearance and an extra touch of sweetness.
For more dessert inspiration, consider trying our pistachio pavlova or apple pie.
Print
Easiest Hot Chocolate Cookies: 1 Batch Bliss
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 18–24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Capture the magic of hot chocolate in cookie form with these incredibly easy and delicious cookies. Using a cake mix as a base, these cookies come together in under 30 minutes and are perfect for last-minute cravings or homemade gifts.
Ingredients
- 1 (15.25-ounce) box Devil’s Food cake mix
- 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 9 large marshmallows, cut in half horizontally
- 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the Devil’s Food cake mix, oil, and eggs. Mix until beautifully combined and a lovely, thick dough forms.
- Stir in the 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips, ensuring they are nicely distributed.
- Scoop about a tablespoon of dough at a time and roll it into a 1-inch ball. Place these dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between them.
- Gently press a halved marshmallow, cut side down, into the center of each dough ball.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the marshmallows are puffy and slightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies cool, melt the 1/3 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Alternatively, use a double boiler.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the melted chocolate artfully over the top of each cookie.
Notes
- These cookies are best enjoyed fresh and will stay delicious for 3-4 days at room temperature in an airtight container.
- They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
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