Chocolate Peppermint Bark Marshmallow Surprise Cookies (or Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies)

I had a cookie exchange and I was trying to look for something that I had around the house that I could make (and that might be a little more interesting).  I ended up using a combination of cookie recipes after finding this one from Let's Dish Recipes and the recipe on the box to change up the Pillsbury Chocolate Peppermint cookies by adding additional flour.  I had two boxes which I needed because I was making 3 dozen cookies for the exchange (just got 36 out of the mix).

I also had a box of peppermint bark that my husband decided he didn't like because it was a little thick and not very peppermint-y.  I chopped up some to add it to the batter since I was saving the peppermint candy to add to the frosting and what is better then chocolate chip cookies!

I put the butter in the microwave safe bowl and then put it in the microwave to melt it.

I followed the directions on the box which was hard to mix in at first.

But after a little more muscle, I got it to all mix together and it was pretty liquidy.

I added the peppermint bark.  If you don't have leftover peppermint bark, feel free to skip or add chocolate chips or any other leftover candy to the mix.

It mixed up and I thought it looked like there was enough but I did have everything out to add more if I didn't think that it looked like enough. Then, I added the flour which was suggested on the back of the box.

It was supposed to make the cookies more stable so that they didn't spread out like a chocolate chip cookie.  I used my cookie scoop to put them on the cookie sheet.

Then, I flattened them down with the bottom of a glass which was really easy and it didn't even stick once I got the rhythm going.  I have never done that before but it made the cookies very uniform.

I put the cookies in the oven and started to cut the marshmallows.  I used a sharp knife and cut them in half with a little bit of a sawing motion.  The original recipe suggested using scissors which I think would be horrible to clean up.  If you have really fresh marshmallows, I suggest leaving them out for a little bit to get them a little more dry so that they don't totally crush when being cut.

I baked the cookies for 6 minutes and then pulled the tray out and smooshed the marshmallow half in the middle of the cookie and put them back in until the top was lightly toasted. 

It took a little longer in my oven then the recipe said so it was about 4-5 minutes.  They came out of the oven very fluffy but went down as they cooled.  But isn't it a nice tan color like you just made s'mores.

When the cookies were cooling, I mixed up some peppermint icing.  I had these frosting creations starters so I decided instead of using one of the flavor packages, I would make my own.  I added peppermint extract (per the package instructions) about 1/4 tsp to the frosting. 

Then, I dumped in an entire package of the peppermint pieces from the cookie package.  If you don't use the same box of cookies, feel free to crush up candy canes or starlight mints to put into the icing to add that extra flavor.

When I mixed it up, it made a nice thick icing with some great peppermint scent just calling for me to taste it but I knew that I would need it all for the three dozen cookies so I didn't take a taste.

My friend, Ann, said that the cookies looked fine without frosting but I thought that they needed a little something.  I was going to do a chocolate glaze but that didn't work out as expected so I frosted the cookies.

I was really happy with the final product and my son and father really enjoyed them.  I hope that you try them out and see how much you enjoy them!!  Make sure you check out all the sources for my inspiration including the recipe on the back of the box found here on the Pillsbury website.  There was another one on Let's Dish which added the marshmallow and icing which was the end part of the recipe which you can see here.  I hope that you try your own take on one these cookies and use some holiday candy leftovers to make some tasty cookies.  I promise you won't regret it (except that the cookies might be gone a little too fast).

Chocolate Peppermint Bark Marshmallow Surprise Cookies

(or Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies)

Ingredients

      2 boxes Pillsbury Chocolate Peppermint Cookie mix

1/2 cup flour

 2 eggs 
2 sticks of softened or melted butter 
Peppermint bark or chocolate chips (optional)

16 large marshmallows

1 can Plain Frosting 
1/4 tsp Peppermint Extract
Peppermint pieces from cookie mix

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large microwave safe bowl, add two sticks of butter and microwave for 15-30 seconds to     soften or melt.  Add the box of cookie mix and eggs to the bowl and stir until combined.   Add additional flour.  Add peppermint bark or chocolate chips and finish stirring cookie dough.

Form dough into small balls using a cookie scoop or your hands and place on baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass or the palm of your hand.

Bake cookies for 6 minutes, then remove from oven.  While cookies bake, cut marshmallows in half with knife or kitchen scissors.

Place 1/2 a marshmallow, cut side down, in the center of each cookie. Return cookies to oven for another 4-5 minutes, until marshmallows are puffy and just beginning to brown.

Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

While the cookies are cooling, mix 1/4 tsp of peppermint extract into the frosting and add one or two packages to the frosting to taste.  Stir until combined.  When cookies are cool, spread about 1 teaspoon of peppermint frosting over the tops of the marshmallows. 

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