Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies Recipe
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies
December 9, 2014 by Shelby 2 Comments
Tis the season for Peppermint! These Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies are fudgy with peppermint flavor, and crushed peppermint decorating the top making them very festive!
I’ve wanted to make the hot cocoa cookies ever since the first time I tried one a couple of years ago. This year I seem to be on a huge peppermint kick when it comes to holiday related items. Peppermint is one of my favorite flavors so when I thought about making these hot cocoa cookies, I naturally went to the thought of peppermint flavor in the cookie as well as the icing with crushed peppermint candy canes topping them.
These cookies were so easy to make and after eating about 3 of them I decided I had to get them wrapped up and in the freezer so I could have them to give out with my Christmas Cookie baskets this year.
While I love the whole cookie I have to say my favorite part is the fudge coated marshmallow with the crunchy mint topping. Oh heck, its all good. Just make them and you will see what I mean. They may look and read like a lot of work, but really, they aren’t. Mix, scoop, bake, pop a marshmallow on top, bake a little more, cool. Then when ready to put the fudge topping on just melt the butter, mix in the rest of the ingredients and spoon it over top of the cookie, sprinkling the peppermint on top before the fudge dries. Then try to not eat them before they are ready to pack and put in the freezer. I dare you.
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies
Published 12/09/2014
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1-1/4 cups brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 24 regular sized marshmallows, cut in half
- Icing:
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup hot milk
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 candy canes, crushed
Instructions
In a microwave safe bowl, heat butter and chocolate chips on high power, at 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until chocolate and butter are melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. In another medium sized bowl, with hand mixer on low speed, mix brown sugar, eggs, and extract. Add cooled chocolate/butter mixture and mix until combined.
Gradually add flour mixture to egg/chocolate mixture stirring until just combined. Cover bowl with wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
When ready to bake cookies, preheat oven to 325 degrees. Don’t be tempted to go higher in heat, you need the lower temp for these cookies. Roll cookie dough into 1″ balls and place about 2 inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheets. Flatten cookies slightly.
Bake cookies 12 minutes. Remove from oven and place marshmallow, cut side down, in center of cookie. Return to oven and cook another 2 minutes. Cool completely on cooling rack.
To top with fudge icing, mix together sugar and cocoa powder. Add melted butter, hot milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined. Spoon 1 tablespoon of icing over top of cookie, spreading some if needed. Top immediately with crushed peppermint. Let icing dry completely, store in cool dry place.
Yield: 48 cookies
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 20 mins.
Cook time: 00 hrs. 14 mins.
Total time: 34 mins.
Tags: cookies, Christmas, Holiday, Chocolate, Peppermint, Homemade Holiday Gifts, Marshmallow