Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (can substitute gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Main Add-ins
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Optional Variations
- ½ cup semi-sweet or white chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon or chili powder for spice
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined, ensuring consistent flavor and texture throughout the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy and light in color. This aerates the mixture, contributing to a tender yet slightly chewy texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly until the batter is smooth and homogenous, preparing the base for the dry ingredients.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix to keep the cookies soft and tender.
- Fold in Mini Marshmallows: Gently fold in the mini marshmallows, distributing them evenly throughout the dough to ensure gooey pockets in every cookie.
- Scoop and Bake: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time allows the marshmallows to set without hardening.
Notes
- Use softened butter and eggs at room temperature for smoother mixing.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients just until incorporated to avoid tough cookies.
- Fold marshmallows in last to prevent them from melting too much during mixing.
- Remove cookies when edges are set but centers look slightly underdone for perfect softness.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking for thicker cookies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: hot chocolate cookies, mini marshmallows, chocolate cookies, chewy cookies, winter cookies, holiday baking, gluten-free cookies