hot cocoa cookies

Suggesting a cookie contest for my division's holiday party was probably one of the best decisions I've made. I was not only able to bake hot cocoa cookies, I also left work with the first place prize, which was awesome (totally not bragging or anything).

These cookies just look appealing and I really enjoyed making them. If you're a chocoholic - beware! They are very, very rich and the marshmallow and melted chocolate gives them a soft, chewy feel. I was very happy that so many people enjoyed them. I passed the recipe on to a few people in the office and I hope they enjoy making these treats as much as I did. The recipes is below.

Hot cocoa cookies - a Rachel Ray recipe 

Ingredients: makes about 3 dozen cookies

• 1 stick of butter
• 3 boxes of semisweet chocolate bars (about 24 oz)
• 1 1/2 cups of flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1 1/3 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/4 cup of cocoa 
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups of brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla
• A bag of marshmallows (I would suggest buying the s'more marshmallows; the ones that are already flat)

Directions: 

1. Melt the butter and 12oz of chocolate in a double broiler* until thin. Set aside and cool for about 15 minutes
2. Combine flour, salt, baking powder and cocoa in a separate bowl
3. In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, brown sugar and vanilla
4. Add the cooked chocolate to the mixing bowl
5. Add the dry mixture to the chocolate mixture
6. Refrigerate dough for one hour 
7. While waiting for the dough to harden, cut each marshmallow if half; (if you purchased regular marshmallows) cut enough for each cookie
8. Cut remaining chocolate into one inch squares and place on top of each marshmallow
9. Once dough is hardened, roll into one inch balls onto cookie sheets covered in parchment paper 
10. Bake for about 12 minutes until the cookies start to crack
11. Takes the cookies out of the oven and place the marshmallow and chocolate on top of each cookie; marshmallow will be on top.
12. Bake in the oven for 5 more minutes  until the marshmallow melts
13. Let the cookies cool and shave chocolate on top of the marshmallow with a micro plane or cheese grater

*Place chocolate in a glass or aluminum mixing bowl. Fill a medium-sized pot with water; cook on high until the water starts to boil and place the mixing bowl on top of the pot. Stir the chocolate until melted.

Stay beautiful,

Marina