Hot Cocoa Cookies

So what do you do if you love hot cocoa but it hasn't gotten chilly enough to whip up the warm beverage?  (By the way--don't rub it in lucky ducks who aren't waking up to cold mornings and frosty windows.)  The answer: make these tasty cookies with a bit of cocoa mix, mini chips and marshmallow bits.  Yes, they sell the marshmallow bits found in hot cocoa mix by the jarful (squee!).  They can be hard to find, but totally worth it, especially in these cookies.  The cookies have a slightly chocolatey flavor and the lovely mix-ins just make me smile.


Oh, and I got some more cookies from the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap!  These delicious pecan sandies from Kelly at Eat Yourself Skinny. These were soft, nutty, slightly, sweet and just lovely to come home to.  Kelly's got a great blog that I've visited a few times before  Plus she's got the sweetest pup that is almost as sweet to eat up as some of her recipes!

Running through some Secret Recipe Club reveals a few months ago, I found this recipe from Erin at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts.  It's so simple and delicious. I didn't change Erin's recipe because it was just perfect.  But here's something to think about: let's say you live in one of these "warm" places I keep hearing about.  And Santa comes to visit.  The big man needs a little nosh to continue his rounds and ideally, a good boy or girl would give him a little taste of home, which may or may not include hot cocoa.  But he wears a pretty heavy Santa suit and might be to hot to indulge in a warm beverage, so what do you do?  By my math, these cookies will get you what you want most for Christmas.

Hot Cocoa Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cup flour
3 ounces (about 1/4 cup or 3 1 ounce packages) hot chocolate mix
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
12 ounces mini chocolate chips
2/3 cup mini marshmallow bits

In the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl with a hand held mixer, cream butter and sugars, scraping the sides of bowl as needed.  Beat in eggs and vanilla, mixing until combined.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, hot chocolate mix, salt and baking soda.  Gradually add to butter mixture, stirring until combined.

Stir in mini chocolate chips and marshmallow bits until distributed throughout.

Drop by Tablespoons (Note: I used a medium cookie scoop) onto parchment or Silpat lined baking sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes or until set and edges are browned.  Turn baking sheet 180 degrees halfway through. If using more than one sheet at a time, rotate positions in the oven for more even baking.

Remove from oven and cool on pans for 3-5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 4 dozen cookies.

Happy Baking,
The Cookie Princess

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