Hey y'all! If you love everything about hot chocolate and fresh-baked cookies, get ready for your next favorite treat – Hot Cocoa Cake Mix Cookies! These dreamy bites are soft, gooey, and packed with melty chocolate and mini marshmallows, making them perfect for chilly nights, festive gatherings, or anytime you need something sweet and comforting. Let's get cooking!
Why You'll Love This Hot Cocoa Cake Mix Cookies Recipe
- Super quick with minimal ingredients, thanks to cake mix as the base.
- Rich, chewy texture with gooey chocolate chips and fluffy marshmallows in every bite.
- Perfect for holiday cookie swaps, kids’ parties, or a simple cozy dessert.
- Easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins and toppings.
- No electric mixer required – super simple cleanup!
Ingredients for Hot Cocoa Cake Mix Cookies
- 1 (15.25 oz) box chocolate cake mix
- 2 packets hot cocoa mix (about 1.5 oz total, unsweetened or sweetened)
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil (or melted unsalted butter)
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
How to Make Hot Cocoa Cake Mix Cookies
Step 1: Prep the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the chocolate cake mix and hot cocoa mix until well combined. Add the eggs, oil, and milk. Stir until a soft, thick dough forms – no dry pockets should remain.
Step 2: Add Chocolate Chips
Fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed. For extra chocolatey cookies, add an extra handful!
Step 3: Shape the Cookies
Using a cookie scoop or heaping tablespoon, scoop dough and roll into balls. Space them 2 inches apart on your prepared sheets. Gently press 3-4 mini marshmallows into the top of each dough ball. (Pressing them on top helps prevent marshmallows from melting into the dough.)
Step 4: Bake Hot Cocoa Cake Mix Cookies
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly soft (they’ll finish setting on the sheet). Don’t overbake!
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm for that true hot cocoa experience!
Hot Cocoa Cake Mix Cookies Notes & Tips
- Use nonstick parchment paper to prevent sticking and easy cleanup (learn more about parchment paper uses).
- If using sweetened hot cocoa mix, reduce the added chocolate chips by ¼ cup if you prefer less sweetness.
- Add marshmallows to the top, not inside, to avoid over-browning and melting away (cookie baking tips).
Hot Cocoa Cake Mix Cookies Variations
- Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa Cookies: Add ½ cup peanut butter chips to the dough.
- Mint Hot Cocoa Cookies: Stir ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and swap in ½ cup mint chocolate chips.
- Double Marshmallow: Mix ½ cup dehydrated mini marshmallows into the dough for extra gooeyness.
Required Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or sturdy spatula
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
Hot Cocoa Cake Mix Cookies Storage Instructions
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Serving Suggestions for Hot Cocoa Cake Mix Cookies
- Pair with a mug of classic hot cocoa or coffee for the ultimate cozy treat (see this easy hot cocoa recipe).
- Make ice cream sandwiches with vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
- Serve warm at holiday parties with extra marshmallows on the side.
Pro Tips for the Best Hot Cocoa Cake Mix Cookies
- Chill the dough for 15–30 minutes if it feels sticky or too soft for easier shaping.
- Do not overbake – slightly underbaked = extra chewy!
- For gorgeous bakery-style cookies, press a few extra marshmallows and chocolate chips on top just before baking (top cookie baking tips here).
Hot Cocoa Cake Mix Cookies FAQ
- Can I use different cake mix flavors?
- Yes! Try devil’s food, fudge, or even red velvet cake mix for delicious twists.
- Can I make these Hot Cocoa Cake Mix Cookies gluten-free?
- Absolutely – simply use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix with similar measurements.
- How do I keep the cookies soft?
- Store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness.
Total Time: 27 minutes (Prep: 15 minutes | Bake: 10–12 minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup hot cocoa mix (about 4 packets, unsweetened or sweetened)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
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1Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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2In a large bowl, combine chocolate cake mix, hot cocoa mix, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until a thick dough forms.
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3Fold in chocolate chips and mini marshmallows until evenly distributed.
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4Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
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5Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
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6Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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