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    TaraTeaspoon » Desserts » Cookies

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    Published: by

    Chocolate Marshmallow Surprise Cookies

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Jump to Comments
    Chocolate Marshmallow Surprise Cookies
    Chocolate Marshmallow Surprise Cookies
    Chocolate Marshmallow Surprise Cookies

    I loved watching mom frost these chocolate marshmallow cookies! She would hide that marshmallow under a swirl of frosting on a soft, brownie-like cookie. I'll tell you how easy it is to make these tasty treats!

    plates of marshmallow surprise cookies with glasses of milk

    Classic chocolate covered marshmallow cookies are just like mom used to make when I was little.

    I loved watching her cover the gooey marshmallow with frosting to hide it from everyone else, but I knew the secret!

    When you sink your teeth into these chewy chocolate marshmallow cookies, you're met with a fudge cookie base, rich cocoa frosting, and a perfectly soft marshmallow center.

    Jump to:
    • Kids Love These Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies!
    • Ingredients for Surprise Cookies
    • How to Make Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies
    • Chocolate Marshmallow Surprise Cookies Recipe
    overhead of surprise cookies on a plate with some being iced

    Kids Love These Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies!

    These delectable little treats are sometimes called surprise cookies. At first glance, you might think that these are just frosted chocolate cookies, but one bite and you'll know that they're much more special than that.

    frosting close up of surprise cookies. Hiding the marshmallow

    You'll be delighted by the soft marshmallowy center hidden under all of that delicious icing.

    To keep the surprise a secret, the frosting should cover the whole marshmallow and be spread as evenly as possible.

    You can let kids help you carefully cut the marshmallows in half, place them on the hot cookies (watch their hands!), and even frost the cookies. They LOVE hiding the marshmallow with the frosting then sharing the cookies with friends and family.

    Add any kind of sprinkles to the top of the cookies before the frosting sets for a festive look. Holiday or birthday sprinkles are especially fun.

    Similar Cookies:

    • Chocolate Marshmallow Valentine's Cookies
    • Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies
    • Martha Stewart Surprise Cookies
    labeled ingredients for chocolate marshmallow surprise cookies

    Ingredients for Surprise Cookies

    Some recipes are truly more than the sum of their parts. The combination of silky frosting, pillowy marshmallow, and decadent cookie is truly something special.

    • all-purpose flour
    • unsweetened cocoa powder (don't use Dutch processed cocoa powder)
    • baking soda
    • fine salt
    • unsalted butter 
    • granulated sugar
    • egg
    • whole milk
    • vanilla extract
    • marshmallows
    • confectioner's sugar
    close up of chocolate marshmallow surprise cookies

    How to Make Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies

    Making these cookies with marshmallow, covered in chocolate is not hard but does require a few steps.

    Cookie dough

    The cookie dough is simple. You'll use the classic creaming method for these beauties. Sift the dry ingredients and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar using a stand mixer, or a hand mixer, then add the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients.

    scooping dough and pressing in marshmallow for chocolate cookies

    Form the cookie dough into balls by using a cookie scoop. Scoop up some of the dough, then drop it on a baking sheet. I think these dough balls come out perfect when I use a 1 ½ to 2 tablespoon cookie scoop. That's a #40 cookie scoop. Make sure to give them a couple inches of room on each side to spread out.

    Bake for about 8 minutes, or until they're firm. Then place a marshmallow half on top of each cookie before baking again.

    baked chocolate surprise cookies and frosting cookies

    Double bake

    Bake for just 2 minutes more, or until the marshmallow is soft and slightly puffy. Do not leave them in the oven any longer or the marshmallows will completely melt.

    Let the cookies cool completely, then frost with about one tablespoon of frosting each.

    frosted chocolate surprise cookies on a plate with milk
    Can I use mini marshmallows?

    Use standard sized marshmallows for this recipe. Cut them in half and use half on each cookie. Mini marshmallows will not work.

    Can I make these gluten-free?

    These work well with Cup4Cup brand gluten-free all purpose flour. They have not been tested with other GF flours.

    What is the secret to bakery-style cookies?

    Bakery-style cookies are often frosted, and soft and chewy. These chocolate and marshmallow cookies are very soft and chewy and have a chocolate icing on top.

    What is the trick for making soft cookies?

    One of the best tricks for making soft cookies is not to over-bake the cookies. Remove the cookies from the oven just before they are completely cooked and allow them to continue cooking on the hot baking sheet. Remove them from the baking sheet to cool completely and remain soft.

    Let me know how it went!

    Scroll to the bottom of the page to rate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and comment on this recipe. Leaving comments helps other too!

    More Classic Cookie Favorites

    Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

    Chai Blossom Cookies

    Classic Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

    Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Chocolate Chipless Cookies

    recipe feature close up of surprise cookies with frosting

    Chocolate Marshmallow Surprise Cookies Recipe

    Tara Teaspoon
    This classic cookie recipe is the perfect chocolate treat, and has a hidden marshmallow right under the frosting.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Baking, cookies, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 28 Cookies
    Calories 170 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
    • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder Not Dutch-process
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon fine salt
    • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ cup whole milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 14 Marshmallows cut in half crosswise

    Frosting

    • 3 cups confectioners' sugar
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
    • 5 tablespoons unsweetened coca powder
    • 5 tablespoons whole milk
    • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    For the cookies:

    • Heat oven to 375ºF. Line two baking sheets with parchment; set aside.
    • In a bowl sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
      ingredients for surprise cookies
    • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment combine the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed and mix in egg, milk and vanilla. Mix in flour mixture, ½ cup at a time, until combined; scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
    • Use a 1¾ inch cookie scoop(#40 size) to drop 1½ tablespoons dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are just set, 8 minutes.
      scooping dough for chocolate valentines cookies
    • Remove and immediately press a marshmallow half on top of each cookie. Bake again until marshmallows begin to melt, 2 minutes more. Let cool completely on baking sheets on wire racks.
      baked chocolate marshmallow valentines cookies on a baking sheet

    For the frosting:

    • Make frosting by placing confectioners’ sugar in a mixing bowl. Melt butter with cocoa powder in a saucepan on the stove or in the microwave. Add the melted butter mixture to the confectioners’ sugar and add the milk and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
    • Spread about 1 tablespoon frosting on top of each cookie to cover marshmallow. Let stand until set, about 10 minutes. Cookies can be stored in single layers in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 2 days.
      frosting chocolate valentines cookies to hide surprise marshmallow

    Notes

    Nutritional numbers are estimated for 1 cookie.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 170kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 68mgPotassium: 59mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 197IUCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
    Want to watch videos to show you how to cook?Check out our Youtube and try this recipe and more.

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    About Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.

    Find out more!

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    Filed Under: Baking + Desserts, Cookies, Course, Desserts

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    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a career as magazine Food Editor at Martha Stewart and then Entertaining Director at Ladies’ Home Journal. All in all, I’ve shared recipes, cooking tips, and DIY ideas with more than 24 MILLION people. Make that 24 million and one. Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

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