Hot Cocoa Cookie Blossoms: A Cozy Treat for the Holidays

When the air gets crisp and the holiday season arrives, there’s one thing on my mind—cozy, warm treats that make the house smell like heaven. And these Hot Cocoa Cookie Blossoms? Well, they’re my ultimate go-to when I want to bake something that’s both simple and delicious. These cookies have the perfect blend of rich chocolate, soft cookie dough, and the holiday touch of a Hershey’s Kiss on top. They’ve quickly become a favorite in my house, and I’m so excited to share the recipe with you!

I first tried making these cookies last year during the Christmas season, and let’s just say… they were gone within minutes. They’re the kind of cookie you can’t stop eating because the chocolatey center paired with that soft, chewy texture is just too good to resist. If you’ve been looking for an easy, fun recipe that doesn’t require tons of effort but still gives you that warm, comforting feeling of holiday baking, these cookies are exactly what you need.

So, if you’re ready to bake something that will make everyone at home think you spent hours in the kitchen (but you really didn’t), keep reading!

Why You’ll Love Hot Cocoa Cookie Blossoms

You know when you’re craving a warm cup of hot cocoa on a chilly night? These cookies capture that same comforting feeling, but in cookie form. Imagine a soft, chewy chocolate cookie with a melty Hershey’s Kiss right in the center, like a little gift waiting to be unwrapped with every bite. It’s like biting into a cup of hot cocoa but without the messy mug. These cookies are just the right mix of chocolate and sweetness to get you into that holiday spirit.

Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make. You don’t have to be a pro baker to make these look and taste amazing. These cookies come together quickly, and you only need a few simple ingredients. No fancy kitchen gadgets or hard-to-find items—just the basics you probably already have in your pantry. What I love most about these cookies is that they’re the perfect balance between being simple to make and absolutely delicious. It’s the kind of recipe that you’ll find yourself making again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we get started, make sure you’ve got everything on hand. You probably already have most of the ingredients for these cookies sitting in your kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need to make Hot Cocoa Cookie Blossoms:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – This is the base of your cookie dough.
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder – This gives your cookies that rich chocolate flavor. Make sure you use unsweetened cocoa for the best result.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda – This helps the cookies rise and gives them a soft, chewy texture.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt – A pinch of salt balances out the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
• 1/2 cup softened butter – Butter is key to getting that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• 1 cup granulated sugar – This adds the sweetness that makes these cookies irresistible.
• 1 egg – Helps bind everything together and adds richness.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – For a hint of warmth and depth in flavor.
• 1/4 cup milk – This gives the dough the right consistency, ensuring the cookies turn out soft and chewy.
• 1/4 cup mini marshmallows (optional) – These are optional but a fun addition if you want that true hot cocoa experience with gooey marshmallows inside.
• 36 Hershey’s Kisses – The star of the show! These melt perfectly in the center of each cookie, giving them that signature “blossom” shape.

How to Make Hot Cocoa Cookie Blossoms

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to start baking! Don’t worry, the steps are pretty simple, and the end result will have you feeling like a pro baker. If I can do it, so can you! Let’s get started.

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Your Baking Sheets

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is warming up, line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. This makes cleanup super easy and keeps your cookies from sticking. You could also use a silicone baking mat if you have one—either way works great!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking these together helps evenly distribute the cocoa powder, so your cookies come out perfectly chocolaty. Trust me, you want to take this extra step—no one likes lumpy cookies!

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this—about 2-3 minutes on medium speed should do the trick. Creaming the butter and sugar together well is key to getting that melt-in-your-mouth texture. You’ll know it’s ready when it looks pale and airy.

Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients

Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat everything together until smooth. I love how the vanilla adds that cozy scent—it just makes everything feel more holiday-ready, don’t you think?

Step 5: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now it’s time to combine the dry and wet ingredients. Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing slowly until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix the dough—just stir until there are no more streaks of flour. The dough should be soft, slightly thick, and just a little sticky.

Step 6: Form the Cookie Dough Balls

Use a spoon or your hands to roll the dough into 1-inch balls. This is the part where you can really get in there and have fun. Just make sure each ball is about the same size so they bake evenly. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each one. These cookies spread out a little as they bake, so the space is important!

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Pop the baking sheets into your preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. I know it’s tempting to peek, but resist the urge to open the oven door too soon. You’ll know the cookies are ready when they’re set in the middle and slightly cracked on top. They might look soft at first, but don’t worry—they’ll firm up as they cool.

Step 8: Add the Hershey’s Kisses

As soon as you pull the cookies out of the oven, let them sit for about a minute on the baking sheet to firm up a little. Then, take a Hershey’s Kiss and gently press it into the center of each cookie. The warm cookie will melt the chocolate just enough, giving you that signature “blossom” shape. This part is so fun because you can see the chocolate begin to melt right before your eyes.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy!

Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets. The chocolate from the Kisses will harden just enough to give you that perfect bite. I always like to let them cool for a bit, but who am I kidding? I usually can’t resist eating one right away! These cookies are absolutely delicious when they’re fresh out of the oven, but they also keep well for a few days if you need to store them.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Hot Cocoa Cookie Blossoms

• Room temperature butter: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing it with the sugar. This makes the dough easier to mix and results in a fluffier cookie.
• Don’t overbake: I can’t stress this enough! These cookies should be soft and chewy. If you overbake them, they might turn out a bit dry.
• Add marshmallows: For an extra touch of nostalgia, add a few mini marshmallows into the dough before baking. They’ll melt into the cookie and give you that classic hot cocoa vibe.
• Double the batch: These cookies are so good, you’ll want to make a big batch. They freeze well too, so you can enjoy them long after the holidays are over.
• Chocolate drizzle: If you’re feeling fancy, drizzle some melted chocolate over the top of the cooled cookies for a little extra chocolaty goodness.

Why These Cookies Are the Perfect Holiday Treat

I’m all about simple recipes that bring people together, and these Hot Cocoa Cookie Blossoms do just that. They’re the kind of cookies that make you feel like you’ve spent hours baking, but in reality, they come together in just under an hour. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a family gathering, or just because you deserve a sweet treat, these cookies hit the spot.

And let’s not forget how cute they are! The Hershey’s Kiss in the center just makes them look so festive. Plus, they’re always a crowd-pleaser—everyone loves a good chocolate cookie, especially when there’s a little surprise in the middle