Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups

Five ingredient Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups are adorable and the ultimate festive treat—tiny edible mugs overflowing with sweet marshmallows, creamy chocolate, and cozy vibes. They look just like little cups of cocoa you’ll want to sip—only better because you can eat the whole thing!

What equipment do you need?

• • Muffin pan
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  • Oven mitts or potholders
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  • Cooling rack
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Let's talk ingredients

Sugar Cookie Dough
You’ll need a package of store-bought sugar cookie dough for a quick and easy base. If you prefer to go the homemade route, use your favorite sugar cookie recipe for an extra personal touch. Whether store-bought or homemade, the sugar cookie dough will create the perfect soft and chewy foundation for these adorable treats.

Hershey’s Kisses
Grab some Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped and ready to go. These chocolatey gems will act as the “hot cocoa” in the center of your mug cookies. Classic milk chocolate Kisses work great, but you can try dark chocolate or caramel-filled ones for a fun twist.

Mini Marshmallows
Cut mini marshmallows into smaller pieces to mimic the tiny marshmallows floating on top of a steaming cup of hot cocoa. They’re not only cute but add a gooey sweetness to the cookies.

White Chocolate Chips
White chocolate chips are perfect for drizzling or decorating your cookies. White chocolate adds a creamy, decorative element that stands out beautifully against the other components. If you want to get creative, you could even tint the melted white chocolate with food coloring to match a holiday theme.

Mini Pretzels
Mini pretzels are used to make the “mug handles.” Break off the curved tops to create the perfect handle shape. The pretzels bring a crunchy, salty contrast to the sweet cookie, making each bite even more delicious. Plus, they add an authentic touch to your mini hot cocoa mugs!

These festive ingredients come together to create cookies that look like tiny mugs of hot cocoa, making them the perfect treat for cozy winter nights or holiday gatherings.

Now, let's get into it

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Cups
Start by preheating your oven as directed on the sugar cookie dough package. Lightly spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the cookie cups release easily after baking. Take one portion of the cookie dough and place it into each muffin cup. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to gently press the dough down and up the sides, forming a small cup shape. Bake the cookies according to the package instructions, keeping an eye on them as they bake—they should be golden brown but not overdone.

Step 2: Get Your Toppings Ready
While the cookies are baking, prep the toppings for your hot cocoa mugs:

• Mini Marshmallows: Cut each marshmallow into four smaller pieces. These will become the "foam" on your cocoa.
• Hershey’s Kisses: Unwrap all the Kisses so they’re ready to go once the cookies come out of the oven.
• Mini Pretzels: Carefully break off the top curves of the pretzels to form little mug handles. Go slow to avoid breaking them in the wrong spot.

Step 3: Assemble the Cookies
Once the cookies come out of the oven, let them cool in the pan for a few minutes. This helps them firm up a bit while still staying warm enough to shape.

• Press a Hershey’s Kiss upside down into the center of each cookie cup while they’re still warm. The heat will soften the chocolate slightly, helping it stick.
• Gently press a few pieces of cut marshmallow into the softened chocolate to mimic a frothy hot cocoa topping.

Step 4: Attach the Handles
Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, using 15-second intervals and stirring between each until smooth. If the chocolate is too thick, add a splash of milk or cream to thin it out.

• Dip the ends of the pretzel handle pieces into the melted white chocolate and press one onto the side of each cookie cup. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure it sticks. If needed, prop the handles up until the chocolate firms.

Step 5: Cool and Serve
Allow the cookie cups to cool completely so the chocolate firms up and the handles stay secure. Once cool, gently remove each cookie cup from the muffin pan. Serve your adorable hot cocoa mug cookies at a party, holiday gathering, or cozy night in—they’re guaranteed to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth!