Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
When I asked Rowan what cookies she wanted with her party, the first one on her list was Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies. This is because they are made of awesome, and because they come with a story.
I grew up in Junction City, Oregon, and our mall was the Valley River Mall out by Eugene. We loved this mall, and spent many shopping trips there. One day they opened this little shop called The Cookie Cottage. Cookie stores were just coming into popularity, and we were delighted with the idea of buying fresh large cookies. Their specialty was the Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie- a chocolate cookie with a marshmallow on top, baked until the marshmallow was melted, then frosted with chocolate frosting. I can still remember the first one we had. We were instantly addicted. We bought one every time we were at the mall, and sometimes we bought a dozen in a big box to have extras for later.
Alas, wonderful things frequently come to abrupt endings. Mrs. Fields bought the Cookie Cottage, and ended all Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies FOREVER. Not that I’m bitter or anything. For years we mourned the cookie until I found it on the internet shortly after I got married. It’s still made of awesome, and still addicting. I do not make them the way the Cookie Cottage did. I make them much smaller and only use a half a marshmallow. When I’m really pressed for time, I used canned chocolate frosting. I know, forgive me anyway.
When making these for a graduation party, make the dough in advance, roll it into balls and freeze it. On the day of the party, place on a tray and bake, THEN add the marshmallows like the directions say. Do not try to freeze the whole cookie after it’s baked.
(Note from Jana: I love this recipe too, however for me it was something my grandmother made for every family get together. She did freeze the finished cookie between sheets of waxed paper and the slightly frozen chocolate marshmallow combination is one of my favorite childhood memories. It’s funny how many recipes we compare and find that while they came from completely different sources they’re pretty much the same!)
Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
¼ cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 ¾ cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
16 large marshmallows
Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, milk, and vanilla. Mix well. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Beat into creamed mixture. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets (use a cookie scoop- it’s easier). Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Meanwhile, cut marshmallows in half. Press a marshmallow half, cut side down, onto each cookie. Return to the oven for 2 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Frost with icing.
For Icing (when you’re not being lame and using canned frosting like me):
6 Tbl butter
2 Tbl cocoa
¼ cups milk
1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla
Combine butter, cocoa and milk in a saucepan. Bring to a boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Cool slightly. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat well. Spread over cooled cookies. Makes about 32.
Julie