Frozen Hot Chocolate Cookies

These Frozen Hot Chocolate Cookies are the ultimate treat for any chocolate lover! Imagine a chilled, fudge-like cookie topped with fluffy cocoa frosting and mini marshmallows – a bit like sipping hot chocolate on a cold day but in delicious, cookie form. Soft, chewy, and topped with a creamy frosting, these cookies capture all the nostalgic flavors of hot chocolate in each bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Frozen Hot Chocolate Cookies:

For the Cookies:

• Butter: Softened butter is the base for the cookie dough, giving it a tender, chewy texture.
• Granulated sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and gives a slightly crispy edge to the cookies.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and richness to the dough, making it soft and flavorful.
• Egg: The egg binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
• All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for your cookies.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds that signature chocolatey flavor to the cookie base.
• Baking soda: Adds to the rise and texture, giving the cookies a bit more chew.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and elevates the flavor.

For the Chocolate Frosting:

• Powdered Sugar and Heavy Whipping Cream: These are key for creating a fluffy and smooth frosting.
• Mini Marshmallows: They add a delightful touch and capture the hot chocolate feel.

You’ll need the following tools for making the Frozen Hot Chocolate Cookies:

• Mixing Bowls: A large bowl for combining the cookie dough ingredients and a smaller one for measuring.
• Measuring Scale: To accurately measure all your ingredients in grams.
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: For creaming the butter and sugars, and mixing the dough.
• Spatula: To fold in the dry ingredients and combine the mixtures.
• Baking Sheet: For baking the cookies.
• Parchment Paper: To line the baking sheet, preventing the cookies from sticking.
• Cookie Scoop: To evenly portion out the dough.
• Cooling Rack: For allowing the cookies to cool evenly after baking.
• Piping Bag: To add the frosting to the cookies.

Here is the full Recipe:

Ingredients:

Cookie Base:

• 170 g (¾ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 100 g (½ cup) light brown sugar
• 50 g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 ½ large eggs (you can beat 2 eggs and use about ¾ of the mixture)
• ¾ tbsp vanilla extract
• 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 50 g (½ cup) unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¾ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

Chocolate Frosting:

• 113 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 180 g (1 ½ cups) powdered sugar
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) heavy whipping cream
• 25 g (¼ cup) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

• ½ cup mini marshmallows

Directions:

Making the Cookies

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Gradually add the beaten eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth and well combined.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low until a dough forms.
6. Form and Bake: Use about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie, rolling each into a ball and placing it on the prepared baking sheet. Gently press each ball into a disc shape.
7. Bake: Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are firm. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Preparing the Chocolate Frosting

1. Chill Cookies: Place the cooled cookies in the fridge while preparing the frosting.
2. Beat Frosting Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until fluffy. If needed, add a bit more heavy cream for a spreadable consistency.
3. Pipe the Frosting: Using a piping bag with a round or star tip, swirl the frosting on top of each chilled cookie, starting from the center and spiraling outward.
4. Add Toppings: Finish each cookie with a sprinkle of mini marshmallows.
5. Serve and Enjoy: For best results, enjoy these cookies chilled, straight from the fridge.

Tips & Tricks:

Tips for the Cookies:

• Chilling the Dough: If you want your cookies to have a perfect shape and not spread too much, consider chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their form and enhances the texture.
• Choose the Right Butter: You can use either salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference. If you like a slightly saltier cookie base, opt for salted butter. For more control over the flavor, stick with unsalted butter and add a pinch of extra salt.
• Don’t Overmix: When combining the dry ingredients with the wet ones, mix just until combined. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher cookies.
• High-Quality Cocoa: For a deeply chocolatey flavor, use a high-quality cocoa powder. Dutch-processed cocoa can give an even richer taste and darker color.
• Chill Time: Chilling the dough for even just 30 minutes before baking can improve the texture, but if you’re short on time, it’s not essential.

General Tips:

• Piping the Frosting: For a neat finish, ensure your cream cheese frosting is firm enough to pipe smoothly. If it’s too runny, you can add a little extra powdered sugar until it reaches the right consistency.
• Piping Tip: Using a piping bag for the frosting makes application easy and creates that classic Crumbl cookie look. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can simply spread the frosting on top with a spatula.
• Storage: Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage—just make sure to freeze them unfrosted and add the frosting once thawed.

Enjoy these Frozen Hot Chocolate Cookies with your favorite cup of coffee or tea, or share them at your next gathering—they’re sure to be a hit!

More Christmas Baking Ideas:

• Grinch Crinkle Cookies – These bright green cookies are fun, festive, and finished with a sweet sugar heart, making them the perfect treat to spread Christmas cheer.
• Santa Hat Cookies – Adorable and delicious, these Linzer-style cookies are filled with fruity jam and topped with icing for the perfect Santa hat look.
• Melted Snowman Cookies – Fun and whimsical, these sugar cookies feature melted marshmallows and chocolate decorations for a snowman that’s sure to melt your heart.
• Roasted Matcha Cookies – Add a sophisticated touch to your holiday spread with these earthy roasted matcha cookies, topped with a creamy layer and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
• Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne) – A German Christmas classic, these star-shaped cookies are made with almonds, hazelnuts, and a sweet glaze, delivering a taste of tradition with every bite.

Watch the recipe video here. Let’s get to baking! Here is the full recipe: