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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Peppermint Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

    Published by Melissa on December 2, 2020 | Updated June 10, 2022 | 63 Comments

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    Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies feature tender, caky, peppermint chocolate cookies with a marshmallow hidden under a fudgy homemade chocolate frosting.

    chocolate marshmallow cookie with candy canes

    Every year around the holidays, you’ll find festive peppermint swirl marshmallows. They are so fun and pretty with their pink swirls that I can’t resist buying a bag or two. Years ago, I started adding them to my classic Marshmallow Surprise Cookie recipe for a seasonal twist. You can’t go wrong with the classic combination of chocolate and peppermint with a colorful surprise inside.

    Update: I’ve updated this post with new photos and tips so you and your loved ones can enjoy these pillowy peppermint chocolate marshmallow cookies this holiday season. 

    pinterest button for chocoalte marshmallow cookies with peppermint

    How to Make Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

    There are three layers to these Christmas cookies. First, a fudgy, cake-like chocolate cookie on the bottom. Then, the surprise layer of a fluffy peppermint marshmallow. And finally, a smear of fudgy homemade chocolate frosting. As a result, every bite of homemade cookie has the perfect balance of texture, sweetness, and seasonal flair. 

    Despite these three beautiful layers, these cookies are impressively easy to make. The frosting comes together in one bowl with five simple ingredients. 

    steps to make peppermint marshmallow surprise cookies

    What Kind of Marshmallows Should I Use?

    These chocolate marshmallow cookies will work with most seasonal marshmallows. I usually find fun holiday marshmallows at Target or Walmart, or wherever Jet-Puffed marshmallows are sold. 

    baking steps for chocoalte marshmallow cookies

    If you can’t find colorful or flavored marshmallows, you can also use plain jumbo ones. The jumbo ones are better, as you’ll slice each marshmallow into two rounds. Even with plain marshmallows, you’ll have a seasonal touch of peppermint flavor from the extract in the cookie dough.

    chocolate cookie dough on a baking sheet

    This year Kraft only sold the peppermint swirl mini marshmallows, which will work as well, just put a few minis on top of the cookie instead of half of a jumbo marshmallow.

    Or, if you’re feeling ambitious, one of our readers found a homemade marshmallow recipe to make these cookies 100% from scratch!

    Tip: When baking cookies, use a scoop to portion out the dough and get perfectly round, even size cookies.

    chocolate cookie base topped with a marshmallow and frosting

    How Will I Know the Cookies are Done?

    With chocolate cookies, it can be trickier to know when they’re done baking. You won’t see the same golden color cues as you get from sugar or chocolate chip cookies. And with this recipe, you want to be sure not to over-bake the cookies the first time around. 

    Remember, you’ll be putting the cookies back into the oven for another 2 to 3 minutes with a marshmallow slice on top. I recommend pulling them when the edges are set and the center has started to firm up. I err on the side of less cooking and usually remove them after 7 minutes. 

    finished chocolate marshmallow cookies with peppermint candy

    More Holiday Cookie Recipes

    • Lemon Glazed Christmas Wreath Cookies are a tart, sweet and delicate addition to any holiday dessert spread. 
    • Cherry Lemon Candy Cane Cookies are impossible to resist, with their bright red cherry frosting and adorable cane shape.  
    • Orange Cranberry Rugelach are a must-have homemade treat for Hannukah, with orange marmalade and tart dried cranberries. 
    chocolate marshmallow cookie with candy canes
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    5 from 1 vote

    Peppermint Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

    Chocolate Marshmallow cookies with peppermint swirl mallows and peppermint extract are the perfect festive holiday treat to bake at home. 
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Cookies
    Cuisine: American
    Calories: 168kcal
    Author: Barbara Bakes LLC
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep

    Equipment

    • Vollrath ¾ oz Stainless Steel Disher – Size 40
    • AmazonBasics Silicone Baking Mat Sheet, Set of 2
    • OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Stainless-Steel Mixing Bowl Set, White

    Ingredients

    • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
    • ¾ cup cocoa powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ cup milk
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
    • 30 peppermint swirl marshmallows sliced in half

    CHOCOLATE FROSTING:

    • 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled
    • ¼ cup plus 1 ½ teaspoon cocoa powder
    • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoon milk
    • ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 375°F. 
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
    • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg, milk, and extracts, and beat until well combined. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until combined.
    • Using a tablespoon or 1 ¾-inch ice cream scoop (#40), drop portions of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake until cookies begin to spread and become firm, 7 to 10 minutes.
    • Remove the baking sheets from the oven and place a marshmallow, cut-side down, in the center of each cookie, pressing down slightly. Return to the oven and continue baking until the marshmallows begin to melt, 2 to 2 ½ minutes.
    • Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. To frost, spread about 1 tablespoon of frosting over each marshmallow, starting in the center and continuing outward until the marshmallow is covered.

    CHOCOLATE FROSTING:

    • Place confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in butter and cocoa powder. Add milk and vanilla, and whisk until well combined.

    Notes

    slightly adapted from Martha Stewart

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g
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    Pecan Snowball Cookies »
    about us

    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cindy

      December 04, 2022 at 10:21 am

      5 stars
      Barbara and Melissa, I love love love peppermint. chocolate and marshmallows. For you to combine all three in a cookie, is Amazing. Thank you for coming up with such wonderful recipes. I’m going to use this recipe for Christmas day. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful holiday. God bless. Cindy

      Reply
      • Melissa Griffiths

        December 06, 2022 at 9:47 pm

        Thank you so much Cindy, have a Merry Christmas!

        Reply
    2. Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella

      December 09, 2020 at 3:50 pm

      Mum these sound amazing! I’ve got to give these a try as I really like the sound of the multiple textures in these 🙂 xxx

      Reply
    3. Maggie

      November 27, 2012 at 11:02 am

      This sounds delicious! I have made Martha’s original version before and they were good, I think peppermint will be even better! I’m in Los Angeles and I went through Walmart, Target, Ralphs and Vons so far and have found every flavor under the sun but peppermint marshmallows lol so I am going to keep looking and if I have to, make my own!

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        November 27, 2012 at 7:35 pm

        Thanks Maggie. I made them last year and haven’t seen them these year. I hope you can find them 🙂

        Reply
    4. Joan

      December 24, 2011 at 1:40 pm

      Great recipe and I added sprinkles on top!

      Reply
      • Barbara

        December 26, 2011 at 7:22 am

        Great idea to add sprinkles and make them more festive. So glad you liked them! Thanks for taking the time to let me know you made them.

        Reply
    5. Joy

      December 02, 2011 at 2:18 pm

      This is great idea!

      Reply
    6. Frieda

      November 20, 2011 at 10:27 am

      I found the peppermint marshmallows at KMart as well! I’m tinkering with some ideas to make them smaller, more bite sized…

      Reply
    7. Janette G

      November 16, 2011 at 12:34 pm

      The cookies are in the oven right now! I found the marshmellows at KMart in the holiday candy aisle.

      Reply
      • Barbara

        November 18, 2011 at 7:19 pm

        How’d your cookies turn out? You’re the only one I’ve heard from who was able to find the marshmallows. Thanks!

        Reply
        • Janette

          November 20, 2011 at 7:21 pm

          They were too sweet for me but my family loved them! I loved the cookie part, YUM! So when I make them again, I’ll make some without the frosting for me

          Reply
          • Barbara

            November 22, 2011 at 1:27 pm

            So glad your family loved them. They are a sweet cookie, especially with the fudgy icing. Thanks!

            Reply
    8. Frieda

      November 15, 2011 at 8:37 am

      This cookie recipe came in my email today from MS ~ but I love your twist on this cookie! Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    9. Maggie

      November 14, 2011 at 8:39 am

      oh my this is where I’ve died and gone to heaven with drooling looking at all those cookies.
      Have a great cooking week!
      Maggie
      http://passionatelyartistic.com

      Reply
    10. Jamie

      November 13, 2011 at 6:46 pm

      What a fun cookie and a fun surprise. I need to keep my eye out for those marshmallows.

      Reply
    11. Angie's Recipes

      November 13, 2011 at 12:12 pm

      Those are really cute…love the marshmallow surprise.

      Reply
    12. Paula

      November 12, 2011 at 8:51 pm

      Now this is a cookie I could certainly sink my teeth into. Love marshmallow and love peppermint and my feelings about chocolate go without saying 😉

      Reply
    13. Deborah

      November 12, 2011 at 2:42 pm

      Oh my goodness, Barbara. I have had a bag of those marshmallows on my counter for a week now, trying to figure out what to make with them. Just a couple nights ago, I thought up a similar cookie!! Great minds think alike!!

      Reply
    14. Nic

      November 12, 2011 at 10:20 am

      Wow, very inventive cookies! We don’t get marshmallows like that here, will be great for the holiday season.

      Reply
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