These cookies are inspired by our favorite winter drink, hot cocoa. Made with almond flour, cacao powder and melted down chocolate chips stuffed with marshmallows, these gluten free cookies are so indulgent! You'll want to snuggle up in a blanket and eat them warm from the oven!
INGREDIENTS IN GLUTEN FREE HOT COCOA COOKIES
Almond Flour
Coconut Flour
Coconut Sugar
Vegan Butter, or Coconut Oil
Eggs
Cacao Powder
Chocolate Chips
Marshmallows
Baking Soda
Sea Salt
INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS + SWAPS
There are no substitutions for the almond and coconut flour in this recipe. The almond flour lends a moisture, other flours will be too dry. Coconut flour may be omitted, but recommended.
Coconut sugar may be replaced with granulated maple sugar. I think subbing for cane sugar may be too sweet, since the cookies are made with melted chocolate chips as well. If you want to sub for a keto-friendly sweetener like monkfruit, I suggest reducing the amount to 1/2 cup, or 3/4 cup for more sweet.
Vegan butter or coconut oil will work. Regular grass fed butter may also be subbed. I suggest refined coconut oil for no coconut flavor.
Eggs may not be subbed in this recipe. Since there are no binders, the cookies will fall apart. Egg subs have not been tested but I do not think they will work.
Cacao powder may be swapped for a rich dutch cocoa powder.
Chocolate chips are melted into the dough in this recipe. I use Hu Kitchen Gems. Any chocolate chips should work here. If you prefer more of a 'hot chocolate' flavor and are not dairy free, you can use milk chocolate chips in the dough and added in after.
Marshmallows can be omitted for a basic double chocolate cookie. There are also some paleo marshmallows on the market, like these from Sweet Apricity.
WHAT ARE GRAIN FREE HOT COCOA COOKIES?
These are a dark chocolate cookie that have the texture of a brownie, filled with chocolate chips and marshmallows, just like a cozy cup of hot chocolate.
DO GLUTEN FREE HOT COCOA COOKIES TASTE LIKE REAL HOT COCOA?
Because these cookies are dairy free and paleo friendly, they do not contain milk chocolate, which is the iconic flavor of hot cocoa. These are a darker chocolate cookie filled with marshmallows, so think a really rich cup of hot cocoa! To make these taste more like traditional milky hot cocoa, you can use melted Lily's milk chocolate chips if you are not dairy free. They are delicious either way!
HOW TO MAKE GRAIN FREE HOT COCOA COOKIES:
Whisk together the eggs with the coconut sugar until light and smooth.
Melt together the chocolate chips with butter or coconut oil. Then whisk into the coconut sugar and eggs.
Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add into the wet ingredients.
Fold in chocolate chips and marshmallows.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are just set and middle is soft.
FAQs
Can I make hot cocoa cookies fully paleo?
These cookies are paleo minus the marshmallows, which contain white sugar. To make these paleo, you can either omit the marshmallows and have a dark chocolate cookies, or use a paleo marshmallow like these ones from Sweet Apricity.
Can I make hot cocoa cookies vegan?
Unfortunately egg replacements haven't been tested. I don't think they will work in this recipe. If you do try an egg replacement, report back! Search 'vegan' on the homepage for a list of vegan treats!
How to store gluten free hot cocoa cookies?
Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, then transfer to the fridge for up to 7. They are best enjoyed the day of because of the warm melty marshmallow, and may be gently reheated in the microwave to remelt the chocolate chips and marshmallows.
These cookies can be customized to how rich of a cookie you prefer. I tested these 6 times to get my perfect balance of richness.
For an even richer cookie: Replace the melted chocolate chips and cacao powder listed for 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1/3 cup cacao powder.
For a lighter cookie: Replace chocolate chips and cacao powder listed for 1/4 cup chocolate chips and keep the 1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp cacao powder.
You may also replace the chocolate chips in this recipe for milk chocolate chips for an even truer hot cocoa flavor.
What chocolate chips should be used?
The chocolate chips used will affect the taste of the cookies. I always like to use dark chocolate Hu Kitchen Baking Gems, which are paleo and vegan. For a cookie that is more true to a hot cocoa flavor, I suggest to use milk chocolate chips if you are not dairy free. These milk chocolate chips from Lily's are sweetened with stevia and have no added sugar. If you are dairy free and paleo like me, use your favorite dark chocolate chips and these cookies will be rich and delicious!
Any other questions? Ask in the comment box below!
