Hot Cocoa Cookies are a delightful treat that brings the warmth of your favorite winter drink into the cookie form. These chewy, chocolatey cookies are perfect for cozy evenings, holiday gatherings, or just whenever you need a sweet pick-me-up. With a rich cocoa flavor and delicious chocolate chips, they will quickly become a favorite in your cookie jar!
Why Make This Recipe
Making Hot Cocoa Cookies is a simple way to enjoy a bit of comfort food. They are easy to prepare and require common ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Plus, baking these cookies fills your home with a wonderful chocolate aroma that everyone loves. Enjoying these with friends or family makes for great memories and smiles all around!
How to Make Hot Cocoa Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are set but slightly soft.
- Let cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks.
How to Serve Hot Cocoa Cookies
Hot Cocoa Cookies are best served warm, just out of the oven, with a glass of cold milk or a steaming cup of hot cocoa. They are also great for sharing at parties or wrapping up as a gift. You can sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar on top for a fancy touch!
How to Store Hot Cocoa Cookies
To keep your Hot Cocoa Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last up to a week, though they’ll likely be gone much sooner! If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the cookies in a sealed bag for up to three months.
Tips to Make Hot Cocoa Cookies
- Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- For an extra chocolatey flavor, use dark chocolate chips.
- Chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking for thicker cookies.
Variation
You can add a pinch of cinnamon to the cookie dough for a warm, spiced flavor. Alternatively, try adding mini marshmallows to the mix for a fun twist that mimics the toppings of a hot cocoa!
FAQs
1. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, you can use margarine, but the flavor and texture may differ slightly. Butter usually gives the best results.
2. What can I use instead of eggs?
For a vegan option, you can use flax eggs (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water for each egg).
3. How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure that the other ingredients are also gluten-free.
Enjoy your homemade Hot Cocoa Cookies, and happy baking!
Print
Hot Cocoa Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chewy, chocolatey cookies that replicate the warmth and flavor of hot cocoa, perfect for cozy evenings and holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are set but slightly soft.
- Let cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks.
Notes
For thicker cookies, chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon for flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: cookies, dessert, chocolate, hot cocoa, holiday baking