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    Home » dessert » chocolate » Christmas Week: Hot Cocoa Brownies

    Christmas Week: Hot Cocoa Brownies

    Dec 10, 2015 · 16 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Welcome back to Christmas Week, friends!

    Today's recipe is inspired by one of my favourite wintertime rituals, which involves curling up with a big mug of hot cocoa topped off with a big fat marshmallow.

    Hot Cocoa Brownies

    My version of hot cocoa is as straightforward as it gets - just hot milk with cocoa powder and sugar whisked in, though I do add a dash of ground cinnamon to give it a little extra oomph.

    This year, though, winter's been taking its sweet time showing up.

    Not that I'm complaining about how mild the weather's been so far, but it would be nice to get at least one properly chilly evening where that big mug of cocoa feels like pure bliss.

    These hot cocoa brownies are my attempt to bridge the gap until we get some proper hot chocolate weather.

    Hot Cocoa Brownies

    How to Get Your Brownie And Hot Chocolate fix in One

    Admittedly, there isn't any substitute for the pure comfort you can get from a steaming-hot mug of cocoa, but I like to think these brownies cover all of the other bases.

    They're neither warm nor comforting, but they are gooey and fudgey and deeply chocolately, with that little hint of cinnamon that makes my hot cocoa so delicious.

    And because they're made with cocoa powder, they're easy enough to make at a moment's notice. Everyone keeps cocoa, butter, sugar, eggs and flour on hand at all times, right? (And if you don't, think of these as a good reason to get into the habit.)

    Honestly, as far as seasonal indulgences go, this might just replace my beloved mug of hot cocoa.

    Though... on second thought... maybe I should just combine the two into one super-indulgent tradition. There's no such thing as too much hot cocoa, right? Hello winter, goodbye diet!

    Hot Cocoa Brownies

    What's Hot Cocoa Without a Marshmallow?

    I couldn't possibly dream up a hot cocoa brownie without adding a layer of gooey marshmallows, toasted to a perfect golden-brown under a hot broiler. I think it's a pretty sweet upgrade from the plain un-toasted marshmallows I normally use in my hot cocoa.

    If you're not a fan of toasted marshmallows (you crazy person, you), just skip the broiler, but you should still pop the marshmallow-topped brownies back into the oven to soften the marshmallows so you can properly smoosh them, though. The end result will be a softer, sweeter, gooey-er topping.

    And if you don't like marshmallows at all, why are you even here? Go make a regular brownie, you heathen! (I'm kidding, but really... this recipe is all about the marshmallows.)

    Hot Cocoa Brownies

    More Creative Brownies for the Holidays

    Brownies may not seem like the most traditional Christmas treat, but I think there's always room for a little more chocolate on the menu, especially when it's paired with one or more festive flavours. Don't you agree?

    • Gingerbread Brownies with Eggnog Frosting from Carlsbad Cravings
    • Candy Cane Brownies from My Baking Addiction
    • Terry's Chocolate Orange Brownies from Absolutely Muffin
    • Eggnog Cheesecake Brownies from A Cookie Named Desire

    //

    Print
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    Hot Cocoa Brownies

    Hot Cocoa Brownies


    ★★★★★

    4.7 from 3 reviews

    • Author: Isabelle Boucher (Crumb)
    • Total Time: 40 mins
    • Yield: 16 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Get your hot cocoa fix in brownie form with these gooey, fudgey brownies topped off with toasted marshmallows.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ cup all purpose flour
    • ½ cup milk chocolate chips
    • 8 large marshmallows, cut in half

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on the sides to help lift out the brownies.
    2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium low heat. Stir in the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder until well combined. Remove from heat and set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
    3. Once the butter mixture has cooled slightly, stir in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and stir until combined. Add the flour, and mix until just barely combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
    4. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, and bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out with a very moist crumb. Arrange the marshmallows on top of the brownies, cut side down, and return to the oven for 2-3 minutes or until the marshmallows are soft and gooey. Using the back of a spoon, press each marshmallow down slightly, then broil for just a few seconds or until the marshmallows are golden-brown.
    5. Let the brownies cool off completely in the pan, then lift out using the parchment paper and cut into 16 squares.
    • Prep Time: 10 mins
    • Cook Time: 30 mins
    • Category: Dessert

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @izzbell on Instagram

    //

    But wait... there's more! Don't forget to check out all of the festive treats my fellow Christmas Week bloggers are sharing today:

    • Pistachio Roca from Cravings of a Lunatic
    • Slow Cooker Eggnog Granola from Cupcakes and Kale Chips
    • Cranberry Chai Tea Cookies from Farm Fresh Feasts
    • Chanukah Gelt Cookies from Mother Would Know
    • Salted Caramel Chocolate Thumbprints from Mind Over Batter
    • Gingerbread Chocolate Sandwich Cookies from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
    • Habanero Orange Marmalade from Everyday Southwest
    • Homemade Instant Hot Cocoa Mix from Flour on my Face
    • Chocolate Raspberry Walnut Rugelach from The Little Ferraro Kitchen

     

     

    « Christmas Week: Homemade Eggnog Truffles
    Christmas Week: Gingerbread Sugared Almonds »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. fat susan says

      March 17, 2018 at 9:55 pm

      i cant wait to make these! good bye 30 day challenge hello doctor appointments!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Jessica says

      December 18, 2015 at 9:43 am

      I am dying over those toasted marshmallows on top and having a serious "why didn't I think of that?!?!" moment :) These look fantastic!

      Reply
    3. nicole says

      December 13, 2015 at 11:07 am

      these look beautiful and delicious! can't wait to try :)

      Reply
    4. Janet Hall says

      December 12, 2015 at 11:41 pm

      I love the marshmallow topping. These look incredible! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    5. Carolyn says

      December 12, 2015 at 10:50 am

      I love the idea of arranging the mashmallows like that. I usually just scatter mine, but that looks so pretty.

      Reply
    6. Farida says

      December 12, 2015 at 6:20 am

      okay ,so easy to make , love these brownies :) pinned!

      Reply
    7. Helen @ family-friends-food.com says

      December 11, 2015 at 3:42 pm

      Great idea with the marshmallows! Looks like a great brownie recipe with or without them :-)

      Reply
    8. Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction says

      December 11, 2015 at 5:36 am

      These brownies look so scrumptious and fudgey! I love the marshmallows on top!

      Reply
    9. Tara | Deliciously Declassified says

      December 10, 2015 at 11:05 pm

      These are adorable and look delicious! My kids would love these :)

      Reply
    10. Roxanne Daly says

      December 10, 2015 at 10:08 pm

      Absolutely love this idea, can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    11. Karla Sceviour says

      December 10, 2015 at 10:03 pm

      I make all kinds of Christmas squares.

      Reply
    12. Liz says

      December 10, 2015 at 8:24 pm

      Oh, yeah, these are winners! Everyone around here loves toasted marshmallows and I'd much rather have them over brownies than between two graham crackers. And eating one while sipping on hot cocoa sounds like the perfect holiday treat :)

      Reply
    13. Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says

      December 10, 2015 at 7:48 pm

      luhhhhhooveee this idea! hot cocoa brownies (esp topped with toasty marshmallows) might be my new fave!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    14. Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says

      December 10, 2015 at 6:28 pm

      Those marshmallows on top are making my mouth water! I need to try these brownies! Look delish!

      Reply
    15. Kathi @ laughing spatula says

      December 10, 2015 at 3:40 pm

      Super cute idea! Love this recipe!

      Reply
    16. beth says

      December 10, 2015 at 3:21 pm

      these brownies look fantastic - may be trying them out soon, despite the lack of cold weather here as well.

      ★★★★

      Reply

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    Hello! I'm Isabelle, and this is my blog. I'm a 40-something coffee-chugging, booty-shaking, bargain-shopping, trucker-swearing self-taught cook with a major addiction to vintage cookbooks. Come for the recipes, stay for the terrible puns! Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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