Mrs. Claus’ Marshmallow Meltaway Cookies

Soft, dreamy vanilla cookies loaded with marshmallow bits and hot cocoa morsels—just the kind of melt-in-your-mouth treat you’d expect Mrs. Claus to bake at the North Pole. Perfect for Christmas cookie trays and holiday gifting!

Mrs. Claus Makes the Best Cookies!

If elves needed a soft, dreamy cookie to nibble on during a long night of toy-making, I’m convinced this would be the one. These Marshmallow Meltaways are tender, sweet, and dotted with gooey marshmallow bits and hot cocoa morsels.

They’re the kind of cookie that feels like it came straight from Mrs. Claus’ personal recipe box—warm, comforting, and full of that nostalgic holiday magic.

Think: vanilla sugar cookie meets hot cocoa… with a little North Pole magic.

If you’re looking for something new for your Christmas cookie trays this year, these delicious treasures are a must-make.

Where this Recipe Came From...

When I shop for ingredients. . .I shop for ingredients. I bought so many random items at the store last week, all in preparation for Christmas baking.

Honestly? I didn't really have a plan. Just figured I'd come up with fun new Christmas ideas based on what I bought. And that's how this recipe came about.

I took a close look at the holiday baking ingredients I’d picked up—and honed in on two, in particular: Jet-Puffed Marshmallow bits and the new Nestles Hot Cocoa morsels. (They're kind of buried in the photo on the far left, under the heath chips.)

Talk about cozy flavors that make Christmas feel special! Hot cocoa and marshmallows. Yum!

I knew, the moment I saw all of those two ingredients together, that I could probably whip them into something amazing.

Only One Problem. . .

I already have a Hot Chocolate cookie recipe on this site, one with a cocoa base and soft mini marshmallows.

No problem! This new idea would start with a vanilla based cookie.

I wanted something tender and sweet that felt like it belonged in a festive cookie tin, and these Marshmallow Meltaways hit the mark. I test every recipe in my own kitchen before sharing it with you, and this one is truly a new favorite—simple, magical, and guaranteed to brighten your holiday cookie trays.

What are we waiting for? Let's venture into Mrs. Claus's kitchen to watch her at work. She'll teach us a thing or two about baking, I promise!

Meltaway Ingredients

Here's what you're going to need to bake these lovely cookies. Make sure you use the mini dehydrated marshmallow bits (like the ones you find in hot cocoa packets). And if you want to soften up the cookies even more, add a tablespoon of instant vanilla pudding to the mix!

Dry Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon instant vanilla pudding mix (optional, but helps with softness)

Mix-Ins

• 1 cup dehydrated marshmallow bits (not the regular mini marshmallows)
• 1 cup Nestlé "hot cocoa + marshmallow" morsels (or similar cocoa-flavored chips)

That's it! Just a handful of ingredients.

How to Make Marshmallow Meltaways

These come together so easily, friends! And they taste great, too. Here's how you're going to make them.

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream the Butter & Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes.

Step 4: Add Egg & Vanilla

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Add pudding mix if using.

Step 5: Stir in Dry Ingredients

Add the flour mixture and mix just until combined. The dough will be soft but not sticky.

Step 6: Fold in the Magic

Gently fold in the marshmallow bits and hot cocoa morsels.

Step 7: Scoop & Bake

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the centers still look slightly soft. (I can't stress this enough: Do not overbake—these are meltaways! As soon as the edges look set and the center is a lovely matte color, they are done!

Step 8: Cool and Serve!

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack. Then serve and enjoy!

What Makes These Cookies Special

• They stay unbelievably soft as long as you don't over-bake them.
• They taste like creamy vanilla and cozy hot cocoa.
• The marshmallow bits create tiny pockets of sweet chew.
• They look festive without needing frosting or sprinkles.
• They’re perfect for Christmas gifting, cookie swaps, or leaving out for Santa.

Tips & Variation

I promise, I'm not always changing things up.

Okay, that's not altogether true. I love to change things up. And I have already been thinking of ways to make this cookie different ways. Here are some ideas to take it over the top!

North Pole Mix-In Swap

Mini red/green M&Ms work beautifully if you want a brighter holiday look. (Side note to give a little shout-out to my Holiday M&M cookies, which are delicious!) I love to use the mini M&Ms. They're super easy to work with.

Add Peppermint Magic

Stir in ½ cup Andes baking chips for a Mrs.-Claus-meets-candy-cane-shop twist. If you prefer, you can use candy cane chips, instead. Talk about minty delight!

Double Cocoa Version

Replace ¼ cup flour with cocoa powder for a richer, darker cookie. This would be slightly reminiscent of my Hot Chocolate Cookies, but with smaller marshmallows.

Hot Cocoa Dip

Dip half the cookie in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed marshmallow bits. I mean. . .yum! (Why didn't I think to do this before I passed the cookies off to my friends?!)

Storage

These cookies stay soft for 4–5 days in an airtight container.
They also freeze well—up to 3 months baked or unbaked.

Other Fun Christmas Cookies from Out of the Box

If you love Mrs. Claus's Marshmallow Meltaways you'll love some of my other Christmas cookies. Here are some of Santa's favorites:

Best Holiday Sugar Cookies: Holiday sugar cookies are fun to make and a great way to start the most joyful season of the year. Start a tradition and make it a family activity that the kids will always remember!

Christmas Crinkle Cookies: If you love a colorful Christmas cookie, one that comes together in minutes for just pennies on the dollar, this is the perfect recipe for you! These Christmas crinkle cookies are so pretty and delicious! 

Double Dark Chocolate Peppermint Cookies: Rich, chewy, and bursting with cool peppermint flavor — these dark chocolate cookies are everything you love about a winter night wrapped in one sweet bite. Perfect for gifting, cookie exchanges, or leaving out for Santa!

Simple Gingerbread Man Cookies: If you’re looking for a simple but delicious gingerbread cookie for your 2025 Holiday Baking, this is it! These come together so easily and they’re perfect for rolling and cutting! 

That's it for this post, friends!

Thanks for stopping by. If you make this recipe and enjoy it, please leave a comment or review. Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?