These Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies are thick, rich, and chocolaty, and made with a hint of cinnamon and chili powder for a subtle spicy flavor. They’re extremely easy to make and perfect for enjoying during the holidays.
I love curling up with a warm cup of Mexican hot chocolate, which is what inspired me to make these cookies.
They’re fudgy, loaded with chocolate chips in every bite, and spiced with cinnamon and chili powder for a subtle hint of spice.
They are easy and simple enough to make for a weeknight treat, but also perfect for a holiday gathering. Bake them for your next celebration and I promise they’ll be a hit!
How to make Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
Step 1: Whisk together some all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, chili powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl.
Step 2: In a separate bowl, together some softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined, and then mix together the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. The dough will be thick and sticky.
Step 4: Fold the chocolate chips into the cookie dough until just combined, then cover and chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
Step 5: Portion out the cookie dough into 16 cookies by using heaping 1 tablespoon per cookie. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes at 350°F until the edges appear set but the middle is still soft.
Step 6: Sprinkle them with flaky sea salt (if desired) and let them cool for 5 minutes to firm up before serving.
Variations
- Add half a cup of chopped walnuts to the batter to give these cookies a little crunch.
- Like some caramel with your chocolate? Try drizzling some cajeta or dulce de leche on top of each cookie.
- Top with mini marshmallows for the full hot chocolate experience. Instructions on how to make these with marshmallows are in the recipe card below!
Storing and Freezing
To store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
To freeze: You can freeze the cookie dough balls for up to 3 months, and then bake them directly from frozen whenever you want freshly baked cookies!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ¾ cup milk chocolate chips
- mini marshmallows*, for topping, optional (see notes)
- flaky sea salt, for topping, optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, chili powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl if using a hand mixer), add the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat with the paddle attachment on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, and beat until well combined.
- With the mixer on low, slowly add in the dry ingredients and beat until combined. The cookie dough will be thick and sticky.
- Fold in the chocolate chips until just combined, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour or in the freezer for 35 minutes.
- When ready to bake, remove the dough from the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Use a heaping 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough, and scoop 8 portions onto each baking sheet for a total of 16 cookies.
- Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges appear set but the middle is still soft.
- Remove them from the oven, sprinkle them with a touch of flaky sea salt if desired, and let them cool for 5 minutes.
Isabel’s Tips:
- Mini Marshmallows: To top the cookies with mini marshmallows, firmly press 2 to 3 marshmallows on the top of each cookie dough scoop before baking. Bake as directed.
Nutrition Information
I love this recipe! It it so delicious, and reminds me of hot chocolate.
Can I freeze the dough?
Hi Laurie! Yes you can.
A great recipe! I substituted Bob’s Red Mill gluten free flour but otherwise followed the recipe to the letter. There’s just a hint of spicy goodness from the chili powder and cinnamon. I used my small cookie scoop and got 17 cookies, perfect for baking a test cookie to verify baking time.
I am planning on making Mexican chocolate cookies!
Thanks!
These turned out pretty good! I feel like the cooking time might need to be adjusted. The can you clarify what you mean by “when the edges set”?
Hi Nick! Thank you for the feedback. When we say when the edges set, that just means when the edges are fully cooked and not jiggly. The middle can be slightly undercooked since once it cools, it’ll give the chewy texture. I hope this helps!
Can you please clarify if the chili powder is the type with garlic and other spices? I’m having a hard time figuring it out.
Hi Noreen! Yes the chili powder used we used in this recipe is standard chili powder, which usually contains garlic and spices. I hope this helps!
Just what I needed today :> very good and chocolate-y!
Very sticky dough. Hard to work with. I hope they taste good.
I spent this afternoon making these for tomorrow’s cookie contest at work and they turned out so dry. I followed the recipe to a T and the marshmallows look a mess on top from having to push them into the frozen dough. Definitely looks nothing like your picture. I just don’t know what went wrong.
Hi Lisa! I’m sorry about your experience. Would you mind elaborating on your cooking process?, I may be able to help!
Measurements? Baking requires them.
Hi Jennifer. All measurements and baking instructions are on the recipe card on the bottom of the recipe page.
Just took them out of the oven and they look so good! But…..they taste even better!! I made one batch, only change was I made 26 cookies with three mini marshmallows on each. Thank you for the recipe
I WILL MAKE THESE MY HUBBY HE IS A MEXICAN AND I LOVE CHOCOLATE BUT I DONT HAVE A BROILER I JUST PUT THEM BACK IN THE ELECTRIC OVEN TO MELT
Hi Janet! Let us know how your cookies turn out!