Chocolate drop cookies are topped with a soft marshmallow half and a thin chocolate-cream glaze.
Measure the ingredients before starting, using the gram weights where possible. The method gives tray sizes, portion sizes and visual baking cues; the total time includes every batch and the final cooling or setting period.
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Hot Cocoa Cookies with Marshmallow Centers Recipe
24 cookies. Use the portion sizes and tray layout in the method.
Times are sequential planning allowances. The cooking allowance includes every tray and any stovetop preparation; cooling is allowed after the final tray.
Kitchen tools you’ll need
- Digital kitchen scale and US measuring tools
- Mixing bowls, flexible spatula and measuring spoons
- Two 13 × 18-inch rimmed baking sheets, parchment and cooling rack
- Kitchen scissors for marshmallows
- Small saucepan
Ingredients
Cookie dough
Topping
Spoon flour into the cup and level it without packing; gram weights are the reference. Weigh eggs without their shells. Temperatures are for a fully preheated oven.
Instructions
Mix
- Beat butter and both sugars for 2 minutes. Beat in egg, milk and vanilla. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt separately, then fold into the wet mixture. Fold in chocolate chips. Cover and chill 30 minutes.
Shape
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) conventional or 325°F (165°C) fan. Divide into 24 portions, about 32 g each, and place 12 per lined 13 × 18-inch tray, with 2 inches between portions. Flatten gently into thick discs.
Bake and add marshmallows
- Bake one tray at a time for 9–10 minutes until edges are set. Remove the tray and place one marshmallow half cut-side down on each cookie, pressing lightly. Return to the oven for 1–2 minutes, just until the marshmallow puffs. Repeat with the second tray; allow 24 minutes total oven time.
Cool and make the topping
- Rest 10 minutes on trays and then 20 minutes on a rack. Heat cream in a small saucepan for 1–2 minutes until steaming. Pour over chopped chocolate, wait 2 minutes and stir smooth. Let cool for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
Glaze
- Spoon about 6 g chocolate glaze over each marshmallow. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until the coating firms. Allow 60 minutes cooling and setting after the final tray, with glaze preparation during the initial cooling. Store refrigerated; marshmallow centers are softest on the day of baking.
Chef’s Science & Pro Tips
Portion evenly
Weigh the portions so the centers finish together. Leave the stated space between cookies.
Cool trays
Use a cool baking sheet for each batch. A hot sheet starts melting the butter before the dough reaches the oven.
Set the crumb
Soft centers firm as they cool. Let the cookies rest on the tray before lifting them.
Storage and make-ahead
| Method | How long | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | Serving only, up to 2 hours | Keep chilled until serving; return to the refrigerator within 2 hours, or 1 hour in temperatures above 90°F (32°C). |
| Refrigeration | Up to 4 days total | Store covered at 40°F (4°C) or colder. Include time already spent stored; follow a shorter filling-label limit. |
| Raw freezing | Up to 1 month | Freeze uncoated, unfilled dough portions or tightly wrapped logs. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then shape and bake as directed; add coatings just before baking. |
| Baked freezing | Up to 1 month | Freeze completely cool, unfilled and undecorated cookies airtight with parchment between layers. Add the filling or finishing coating after thawing. |
| Restoring | Before serving | Thaw unfilled cookies covered at room temperature. Add fresh filling after thawing and refrigerate filled cookies as directed. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I bake the marshmallow for the full time?
No. Add it only for the final 1–2 minutes or it can melt away and scorch.
Can I stack these in a gift box?
Use a single layer in a shallow box or individual cups. The topping is soft and can stick to another cookie.
Can I freeze them?
For best presentation, freeze the plain cookies before adding marshmallow or glaze. Add those finishes after thawing.
Browse more cookie ideas in the Christmas Cookie Box Recipes collection.