Imagine the cozy, comforting warmth of a rich cup of hot chocolate transformed into a decadent, fudgy brownie. That’s exactly what you get with this ultimate Hot Chocolate Brownies recipe. We’ve crafted a dessert that captures the very essence of your favorite winter drink, complete with a perfectly crackly top and a gooey, toasted marshmallow layer. This is more than just a brownie; it’s a nostalgic experience baked into a perfect square. Prepare to find your new go-to chocolate treat.
Why This Hot Chocolate Brownies Recipe is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another brownie recipe; it’s a carefully developed guide to achieving the perfect hot cocoa flavor and an irresistibly fudgy texture. It’s designed to be simple enough for beginners but delivers a taste that will impress even the most seasoned bakers.
Incredibly Fudgy Texture: We use melted butter and the right balance of ingredients to ensure a dense, moist, and deeply fudgy crumb that never comes out dry or cakey.
Authentic Hot Cocoa Flavor: By using both unsweetened cocoa powder and your favorite hot cocoa mix, these brownies deliver a layered, rich chocolate flavor that tastes just like sipping a mug of the real thing.
Gooey Toasted Marshmallow Topping: The broiled mini marshmallow topping creates a sweet, slightly crispy, and wonderfully gooey layer that perfectly mimics the best part of any hot chocolate.
Simple, Everyday Ingredients: You don’t need any fancy or hard-to-find ingredients. Everything required is likely already in your pantry.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Hot Chocolate Brownies
The magic of these brownies comes from a few simple, high-quality ingredients working in perfect harmony. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this cozy dessert to life.
For the Brownie Batter
Unsalted Butter: Melted butter is the secret to a fudgy, chewy texture.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the classic crackly brownie top.
Eggs: Act as a binder and add richness and moisture.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the deep chocolate flavors.
All-Purpose Flour: Gives the brownies structure. Be careful not to overmeasure!
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Provides a deep, robust chocolate foundation.
Hot Cocoa Mix: The star ingredient! It adds that sweet, nostalgic, and milky chocolate flavor.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate taste.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Pockets of melted chocolate that make every bite even more decadent.
For the Marshmallow Topping
Mini Marshmallows: These melt beautifully and are easy to spread, creating the perfect gooey topping.
The toasted marshmallow topping is pure magic!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the fudgiest, most delicious Hot Chocolate Brownies you’ve ever tasted. Precision is key, so read through them before you begin.
Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to easily lift the brownies out later.
Melt Butter and Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking vigorously for about a minute until the mixture becomes lighter in color and glossy. This step is crucial for getting that desirable crackly top.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, hot cocoa mix, and salt.
Create the Batter: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Mix only until you no longer see streaks of flour. Overmixing develops gluten and will result in cakey brownies. Finally, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Bake the Brownies: Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter.
Add the Marshmallow Topping: Remove the brownies from the oven and immediately sprinkle the mini marshmallows evenly over the top.
Broil to Perfection: Switch your oven to the broil setting (high). Return the pan to the oven and broil for 1-2 minutes. Watch it like a hawk! The marshmallows will puff up and turn golden brown very quickly. Remove them as soon as they reach your desired level of toastiness.
Cool Completely: This is the hardest part! Let the brownies cool in the pan completely, for at least 2 hours, before lifting them out and cutting them into squares. This allows them to set, ensuring clean cuts and a perfect fudgy texture.
Pro Tips for the Fudgiest Brownies
Want to guarantee brownie perfection? Keep these expert tips in mind.
Do Not Overbake: The key to a fudgy brownie is to slightly underbake it. The brownies will continue to cook from residual heat as they cool in the pan.
Use Room Temperature Eggs: This helps the eggs mix more evenly with the butter and sugar, creating a smoother, more uniform batter.
Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Scooping directly from the bag packs the flour down, leading to dry brownies.
Let Them Cool: We can’t stress this enough. Cutting into warm brownies will result in a gooey mess. Patience will be rewarded with perfectly neat, fudgy squares.
The ultimate fudgy texture in every single bite.
Fun Variations to Try
While this recipe is incredible as is, it’s also a fantastic base for creativity. Here are a few ideas to switch things up:
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Brownies: Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the batter and sprinkle crushed candy canes over the toasted marshmallows. For another festive treat, check out our peppermint mocha cupcakes.
Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownies: Mix 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and a small pinch of cayenne pepper into the dry ingredients for a delightful warm spice kick.
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Brownies: Once cooled, drizzle the marshmallow topping with a generous amount of salted caramel sauce. If you love this combo, you’ll also adore our caramel pecan brownies.
How to Store Your Brownies
To keep your Hot Chocolate Brownies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also refrigerate them to get a firmer, denser texture. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Yes, you can! Any standard sweetened hot cocoa mix will work perfectly. Using a high-quality mix can enhance the flavor, but your favorite brand from the pantry is a great choice.
The key to fudgy brownies is a high fat-to-flour ratio. This recipe uses melted butter and minimal flour to achieve that dense, moist texture. It’s also crucial not to overmix the batter once the flour is added, as this develops gluten and makes them cakey.
For the best results, add the mini marshmallows to the brownies immediately after they come out of the oven. Then, switch the oven to the broil setting and return the pan for 1-2 minutes. Watch them closely, as they will toast very quickly and can burn easily.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The marshmallow topping may become slightly sticky over time, which is perfectly normal.
Absolutely! These brownies are a great make-ahead dessert. You can bake them a day in advance; in fact, their flavor and texture often get even better on the second day. Just be sure to store them properly in an airtight container.
If you’re a fan of rich and decadent desserts, we know you’ll enjoy some of our other popular recipes. Be sure to check out our incredibly popular fudgy chewy brookies or our classic Christmas sugar cookies that are perfect for any holiday celebration.
Your Go-To Fudgy Hot Chocolate Brownies Recipe
This Hot Chocolate Brownies recipe is the perfect way to bring the cozy flavors of your favorite winter beverage into a shareable, crowd-pleasing dessert. They are rich, fudgy, and an absolute delight for any occasion. Give them a try and let us know what you think in the comments below. Don’t forget to save this recipe to Pinterest so you can make it again and again!
Nothing says comfort like these gooey Hot Chocolate Brownies!
Hot Chocolate Brownies Recipe
FL Recipes
Hot Chocolate Brownies: The Ultimate Fudgy & Gooey Recipe
The ultimate Hot Chocolate Brownies recipe! Made with real hot cocoa mix and a toasted marshmallow topping, these brownies are irresistibly fudgy, gooey, and packed with rich chocolate flavor.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla, whisking vigorously for about a minute until the mixture is glossy.
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, hot cocoa mix, and salt.
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle the mini marshmallows over the top.
Set the oven to broil (high) and return the pan to the oven for 1-2 minutes, watching closely until the marshmallows are puffed and golden brown.
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and cutting into squares.
Nutrition
Calories: 195kcalProtein: 2gFat: 9gFiber: 1g
Notes
Do Not Overbake: For the fudgiest texture, err on the side of underbaking. The brownies will set as they cool. Use Room Temperature Eggs: This helps create a smoother, more uniform batter. Cool Completely: Don't skip this step! It is essential for clean cuts and the perfect fudgy consistency.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
