Hot Chocolate Cookies

These have a lovely mix of spices that make them especially tasty in the winter. I often make them at Christmas time.

You need to freeze the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking these. You can make the balls and freeze them then just bake as many as you want.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup cocoa powder

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 1 tsp. kosher salt

• 2 tsp. cinnamon, divided

• 1/4-1/2 tsp. cayenne of chili powder (optional)

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1 large egg

• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

• mini marshmallows

• granulated sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon, stirred together

Instructions:

1. Stir together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and cinnamon in a medium bowl and set aside.

2. Using an electric mixture, cream together the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

3. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until fluffy, about 2 more minutes.

4. Add the flour mixture and beat just until combined and no white streaks show, about 1 minute more.

5. Now you'll make these into balls with the mini marshmallows inside. Scoop out some dough, mold it around two mini marshmallows and roll into a ball. You can make the balls as large or small as you like, either adding or subtracting marshmallows so that they are fully covered by dough. I make mine about 1" round and two marshmallows fit nicely. Place the balls on a parchment lined baking sheet as you go.

6. When all of the balls are made, put the sheet into the freezer and freeze for at least 30 minutes. Longer is better.

7. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Take the balls out of the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes. Then you can roll each one in a mixture of the granulated sugar and remaining 1 tsp. of cinnamon and place them back on the cookie sheet.

8. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the outside cracks and the marshmallows starting peeking through a bit.