Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups 2025

Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups

Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups are a festive and fun treat, perfect for warming up on chilly winter days. These adorable cookies make a great addition to holiday gatherings like Christmas parties, cookie swaps, and potlucks.

Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups A Crispy Cookies

Made with sugar cookie dough, they’re filled with rich, creamy hot chocolate ganache, topped with mini marshmallows, and finished with a pretzel handle for a mug-like touch.

Although they require a little extra effort especially when attaching the pretzel handles the final result is worth it. These charming cookie cups not only look delightful but are also a hit thanks to their smooth, chocolaty ganache filling that everyone loves!

“Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups are the ultimate holiday treat, combining sugar cookie dough, creamy ganache, and marshmallows for a dessert everyone will adore.”

but my previous Fruity Pebbles Cookies with a few ingredients are also very delicious.

Ingredients for Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups

Cookie Base

1 package Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough: Pre-made dough for a quick and easy cookie cup base.

Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Ganache

½ cup heavy whipping cream: Adds a creamy texture to the ganache.
2 tablespoons hot cocoa mix: Provides the rich chocolate flavor for the ganache.
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melts smoothly for a rich, chocolaty filling.
½ cup white chocolate chips: Balances the sweetness and adds a lighter chocolate flavor.

Toppings and Decoration

12 mini pretzels: Used as handles for the cookie cups to mimic a hot chocolate mug.
1 cup Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits: Mini marshmallows to top off the cookie cups for a classic hot chocolate look.

Toppings and Decoration A Crispy Cookies

Instructions for Making Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups

1. Prepare the Oven and Dough

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Grease 24 mini muffin tins to prevent sticking.
Scoop 1 tablespoon of sugar cookie dough into each muffin cup. For extra sweetness, you can roll the dough balls in sugar before placing them in the tins (optional).

2. Bake the Cookie Cups

Bake the cookie dough for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Allow the cookie cups to cool completely in the pan before gently removing them. This ensures they hold their shape.

3. Make theHot Chocolate Cookie Cups Ganache

Make the Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Ganache A Crispy Cookies

Heat ½ cup of heavy whipping cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to boil.
Stir in 2 tablespoons of hot cocoa mix to enhance the flavor.
Pour the hot cream mixture over 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips in a bowl. Let it sit for 3 minutes to soften the chocolate.
Mix well until the chocolate chips are fully melted and the ganache is smooth and glossy.

4. Create Pretzel Handles

Break the loops off mini pretzels to form small handles.
Melt ½ cup of white chocolate chips in the microwave or a double boiler.
Use the melted white chocolate as “glue” to attach the pretzel handles to the sides of the cooled cookie cups. Hold them in place until they set.

5. Assemble the Cookie Cups

Spoon the prepared chocolate ganache into each cookie cup, filling them almost to the top.
Sprinkle Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits or mini marshmallows over the ganache for a classic hot chocolate look.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Let the ganache set for a few minutes, then serve these delightful cookie cups as a festive treat!

Notes for Making Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups

1. Optional Sugar Coating

Before placing the sugar cookie dough in the mini muffin tins, you can roll each ball in granulated sugar.
This adds a light, sugary crust to the cookies and helps prevent sticking to the pan.

2. Storing Your Cookie Cups

Refrigerator: Store the finished cookie cups in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for 5-7 days.
Freezer: To keep them longer, freeze the cookie cups in a sealed container or freezer-safe bag. They can be stored for up to one month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups FAQs

Does the Chocolate Ganache Spill Out?

No, the chocolate ganache will not spill out of the cookie cups. Once cooled in the refrigerator, the ganache sets to a fudge-like consistency, making it firm and easy to eat without any mess. Here’s a look at the inside of the cookie cup to show how the ganache stays perfectly in place, even when bitten into.

How to Prevent Cookie Cups from Sticking

If your cookie cups stick to the mini muffin pans, here are some tips to avoid the issue:

1. Sugar Coating

Roll the sugar cookie dough balls in granulated sugar before placing them in the muffin cups. This helps create a barrier between the dough and the pan, reducing the chance of sticking.

2. Gently Pry Stuck Edges

If the cookie cups are slightly stuck, use a thin knife or spatula to gently lift the edges and release them without breaking.

3. Pan Differences

Remember that mini muffin pans vary by brand, material, and age. Older or low-quality pans might cause sticking more frequently.

4. Silicone Pans Work Best

Consider using a silicone mini muffin pan, like the Grazia Silicone Mini Muffin Pan, for better results. Silicone pans are naturally non-stick and make removing the cookie cups much easier.

These tips should help you get perfectly shaped Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups every time!

What to Do If Your Cookies Overflow in the Muffin Pan

If your cookies spread out too far in the muffin pan, here’s how to fix them:

1. Trim the Excess

Use a small cookie cutter (about 2 inches in diameter) to cut away the extra cookie dough. Do this while the cookies are still warm and soft, right after removing them from the oven.

2. Use Less Dough

Avoid overfilling the muffin cups. Try using slightly less cookie dough for each cup to prevent the cookies from overflowing during baking.

These simple adjustments will help you get the perfect hot chocolate cookie cup shape!

hot chocolate cookie cup

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I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your home as it does to mine .

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happy baking!