Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups are the ultimate festive bite-sized dessert—crispy cookie shells filled with rich chocolate ganache, a touch of Nutella, fluffy mini marshmallows, and adorable pretzel “handles” that make them look like tiny mugs of hot cocoa. These delightful treats are perfect for Christmas parties, winter gatherings, holiday cookie platters, or fun baking projects with kids. Made with refrigerated cookie dough and an easy microwave ganache, they’re simple, charming, and incredibly delicious. Their whimsical appearance, paired with deep chocolate flavor and marshmallow sweetness, makes them a must-bake for the holiday season.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookie cups are not only adorable—they’re incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to be the star of your holiday dessert table. Using refrigerated cookie dough means minimal prep and stress-free baking, while the homemade ganache adds a rich, luxurious chocolate center. The marshmallows and sprinkles make each cup look festive and fun, and the mini pretzel handles add a creative touch that transforms them into picture-perfect “mugs.” They’re kid-friendly, great for gifting, and perfect for parties where everyone wants a dessert that’s as cute as it is delicious.

Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups

There’s something truly magical about holiday baking, especially when it involves whimsical creations that spark joy at first sight—and these Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups do exactly that. Adorable, delicious, and unbelievably festive, they capture the cozy warmth of winter cocoa and transform it into a handheld cookie treat. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, planning a cookie exchange, or baking with family, these tiny hot chocolate mug cookies always make people smile.

One of the biggest reasons these cookie cups are so beloved is their charm. The moment guests see them—complete with pretzel handles, fluffy mini marshmallows, and colorful sprinkles—they immediately become a conversation piece. They look complicated, but the secret is that they’re incredibly easy to make thanks to refrigerated cookie dough and a simple chocolate ganache that comes together in the microwave.

The base starts with soft, buttery cookie dough baked in a mini muffin tin to create the perfect little cup. As they bake, the dough expands into a golden-brown shell ready to be filled with chocolate goodness. Unlike standard cookies, these cups offer a perfect blend of crisp edges and tender centers—a comforting texture that mimics the feeling of sipping a warm mug of cocoa on a cold winter night.

Inside each cup is a decadent ganache made from semisweet chocolate and warm heavy cream. This smooth, velvety filling adds deep chocolate flavor that pairs beautifully with the cookie shell. A small layer of Nutella enhances the richness even more, adding a hazelnut twist that complements the ganache without overpowering it.

Of course, no “hot chocolate” is complete without marshmallows, and these cookie cups deliver. Mini marshmallows are pressed into the warm ganache and Nutella layer, offering a soft, pillowy sweetness that feels nostalgic and playful. Sprinkles add the final touch of holiday magic, bringing color and cheer to every bite.

The pretzel handles are perhaps the most charming feature of all. A simple curved pretzel piece dipped in ganache becomes the perfect mini mug handle, completing the illusion and adding a delightful crunch. It’s a small detail that elevates these cookies from cute to unforgettable.

What makes this recipe even better is how versatile and approachable it is. Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned holiday pro, these cookie cups require no special tools, no advanced techniques, and very little hands-on time. Kids love helping assemble and decorate them, making this a perfect family-friendly holiday activity.

They also transport well and keep beautifully, making them ideal for school parties, office gatherings, cookie swaps, and edible gift boxes. Their visual appeal means they shine on any holiday dessert board, while their delicious taste ensures they’re always one of the first treats to disappear.

Above all, these Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups capture everything we love about the holiday season—warmth, fun, sweetness, and creativity. They’re a festive baking project that brings joy to both the maker and the eater, making them a wonderful addition to your winter traditions.

Servings & Time

Servings: 24 cookie cups (approx.)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 16–18 minutes
Cooling/Setting Time: 45–60 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

Ganache Filling

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Cookie Cups

• Baking spray with flour

• 1 (16.5 ounce) package refrigerated cookie dough (such as Pillsbury®)

Toppings

• 3 tablespoons chocolate-hazelnut spread (Nutella®)

• 1 (10-ounce) package miniature marshmallows

• Colorful sprinkles

Instructions

1. Heat heavy cream in the microwave in 10-second intervals until warm but not hot.

2. Pour warm cream over chocolate chips in a mixing bowl; cover and let sit 30 minutes to melt.

3. Whisk the ganache until smooth; reheat briefly if chips aren’t fully melted. Let cool.

4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat a mini muffin tin thoroughly with baking spray.

5. Place one chilled cookie dough piece into each muffin cup.

6. Bake 16–18 minutes until edges are golden; remove and cool on a rack for 1 minute.

7. Flip cookie cups upright; gently press centers to form indentations if needed. Let cool completely.

8. Fill each cup with ganache, top with a small amount of Nutella, add mini marshmallows, and sprinkle with decorations.

Tips

Ingredient Substitutions

• Use dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips for variations in flavor.

• Swap Nutella with peanut butter, cookie butter, or caramel spread.

• Use sugar cookie dough instead of chocolate chip dough for a lighter flavor.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Ganache can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated; gently rewarm before using.

• Cookie cups can be baked the day before and filled the next morning.

• Store decorated cookie cups in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Serving Variations

• Drizzle white chocolate over the top for a festive finish.

• Add crushed candy canes for peppermint flavor.

• Fill with marshmallow creme instead of Nutella for a s’mores-style cup.

Avoid Mistakes

• Don’t overbake the cookie cups or they will crumble when removing.

• Be gentle when forming indentations—cookie cups are fragile when warm.

• Ensure pretzel handles are firmly stuck using slightly thickened ganache.