Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl Cookies Recipe
If you’re craving a cookie that’s a little chocolatey, a little gooey, and totally unforgettable, I have just the thing for you. This Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl Cookies Recipe brings together rich cocoa and fluffy marshmallow in a way that feels like dessert magic. I promise, once you try these, you’ll be making them for every occasion (or no occasion at all!). Stick with me—I’ll share everything you need to make these fan-freaking-tastic cookies happen in your kitchen.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Balance: The cocoa powder gives a deep chocolate flavor that isn’t too bitter or sweet, pairing flawlessly with the marshmallow fluff’s gooey sweetness.
- Texture Contrast: Soft, slightly chewy edges with a luscious marshmallow swirl create a multi-textured experience in every bite.
- Easy to Customize: You can tweak the marshmallow swirl to be more or less gooey, or even swap marshmallow fluff for melted marshmallows depending on your preference.
- Chill and Bake: Chilling the dough is a game changer—it stops the cookies from spreading too much and keeps that glorious swirl intact.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl Cookies Recipe uses simple pantry staples that blend into a rich, tender cookie base. Knowing the role of each helps you get the texture and flavor just right, so no surprises in taste or consistency.

- All-purpose flour: Gives structure to the cookie; using fresh flour helps avoid a dense cookie.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds that essential chocolate kick without extra sugar.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly for a soft, airy chew.
- Salt: A pinch enhances all the other flavors—don’t skip it!
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for easy creaming and rich flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender crisp edge.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add moisture; room temperature eggs blend more evenly.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the chocolate flavor.
- Marshmallow fluff: The star swirl ingredient, giving pockets of sweet, gooey delight in every bite.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love showing you how flexible this Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl Cookies Recipe can be. Whether you’re after a gooier marshmallow center or a little crunch with nuts, it’s all about making it your own.
- Use melted marshmallows instead of fluff: I’ve tried this to get a fluffier, less sticky swirl, and it’s perfect if you’re aiming for that light, airy texture.
- Add chopped nuts: Pecans or walnuts add a nutty crunch that balances the sweet swirl beautifully.
- Make it gluten-free: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and you won’t lose the cookie’s tender crumb.
- Go extra gooey: Spoon extra marshmallow fluff on top halfway through baking—I did this for a party, and the response was wild!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients
Start by grabbing a medium bowl and whisk together your all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps evenly distribute everything so your cookies bake consistently. If you skip this, you might end up with little pockets of baking soda or clumps of cocoa—not what you want.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
This step is where the magic begins. Using an electric mixer, beat your softened butter with sugar until it’s pale and fluffy. I like to think of it as waking up the butter—this part makes the cookies tender and helps with a light texture. It usually takes around 3 to 4 minutes, and if you skip it or rush, you might get dense cookies.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla Thoughtfully
Beat in eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next to keep the batter smooth. Then stir in the vanilla extract. Room temperature ingredients blend better, so if your eggs are cold, give them a few minutes out of the fridge to avoid curdling the butter mixture.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients Gently
Pour in your dry ingredient mix gradually while mixing on low speed. The goal here is to bring everything together just until combined—overmixing can make the cookies tough. At this stage, you can lightly swirl in some marshmallow fluff if you want, or save that for after chilling for a tighter swirl pattern.
Step 5: Chill the Dough for Best Results
Cover the dough and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. Trust me, chilling is key: it makes the dough easier to handle and stops the cookies from spreading too much when baking, keeping that beautiful marshmallow swirl intact.
Step 6: Shape, Swirl, and Bake
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, form dough balls and place them on your prepared baking sheets. Press a small indent in each and spoon in marshmallow fluff. I then take a toothpick and gently swirl the fluff so each cookie gets that irresistibly marbled look. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, watching for edges to look set but centers soft.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minutes to allow the marshmallow to set slightly—this helps keep the cookies intact when you transfer them to a wire rack. After that, dig in! I find this step crucial if you want clean serving and a perfect texture.
Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl Cookies Recipe
- Chill the Dough Well: Never skip the refrigeration—chilling prevents spreading and keeps the swirl popping.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Butter and eggs at room temp mix better, giving you a smooth dough and tender cookies.
- Handle Marshmallow Fluff Gently: When swirling, be gentle or you’ll risk blending too much fluff into the dough.
- Rotate Baking Sheets: Rotate midway through baking for even cooking and perfectly set edges without overbrowning.
How to Serve Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl Cookies Recipe

Garnishes
I usually keep it simple—maybe a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top just before baking to highlight the chocolate and marshmallow sweetness. Sometimes, I dust a little powdered sugar after they cool for a festive touch. Both add a subtle pop that makes these cookies feel extra special.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine with a cold glass of milk (duh!), but I also love pairing them with a cup of strong coffee or a creamy hot cocoa for those cozy evenings. If you’re serving at a party, fresh berries or a simple vanilla ice cream scoop alongside complement the rich chocolate and marshmallow beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, I once arranged these cookies in a circle with mini marshmallows and chocolate chunks scattered around the platter—people couldn’t stop chatting about them! Another time, I stacked them with parchment paper in between, tied with twine, and gave them as gifts. Presentation really amps up the “wow” factor, especially with that pretty swirl showing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. That way, they stay soft, and the marshmallow swirl retains some of its gooey charm. Just be sure to layer them with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Freezing
I often freeze the dough balls, especially if I want fresh cookies anytime without starting from scratch. Freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When ready, add a couple of minutes to your baking time and bake straight from frozen—still delicious and gooey!
Reheating
To reheat, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds to revive that gooey softness. If you want a bit of crisp, a quick 3-minute warm-up in a 300°F oven does the trick. Freshly warm cookies taste almost as good as straight-from-the-oven ones!
FAQs
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Can I use regular marshmallows instead of marshmallow fluff in this recipe?
Absolutely! Using melted regular marshmallows can give a fluffier swirl as they don’t melt exactly like the fluff but create soft pockets of gooeyness. You can either chop up mini marshmallows or melt jumbo ones and gently swirl them into the dough before chilling.
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Do I have to chill the dough—is it really that important?
Chilling the dough really makes a difference. It firms up the dough so your cookies don’t spread too thin and the marshmallow swirl stays distinct. I’ve baked this dough without chilling and ended up with a marshmallow mess instead of the pretty swirls I love.
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How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and soft for about 3 to 4 days. Beyond that, they may start to dry out, but reheating can help bring some life back to them.
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Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Swapping the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend works great. Just ensure your blend contains xanthan gum or a similar binder to keep the cookies from crumbly texture.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart—and my cookie jar. It’s that perfect mix of chocolatey, soft, and gooey that turns any afternoon into a little celebration. I hope you have as much fun making and sharing them as I do—because sometimes, the best recipes are the ones you bake for the joy of it. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to create some cookie magic!
Print
Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious Chocolate Marshmallow Swirl Cookies featuring a rich cocoa base with gooey marshmallow swirls that create a perfect balance of chocolate and sweetness. These cookies are soft, chewy, and beautifully marbled with melted marshmallow for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Additional
- 1 cup marshmallow fluff
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream 1 cup room temperature unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in 2 large room-temperature eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing. You can lightly swirl the marshmallow fluff at this point or wait until after chilling the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to make it easier to handle and to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- Preheat Oven: About 20 minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Form Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop out chilled dough and roll into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Press a small indent into the center of each dough ball and spoon a teaspoon of marshmallow fluff into each indent. Use a toothpick to swirl the marshmallow into the cookie dough.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, or until the cookies are set around the edges but still soft in the center. Optionally, add a bit more fluff on top halfway through baking for extra gooeyness.
- Cool on Pan: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, helping the marshmallow set slightly and making the cookies easier to handle.
Notes
- If the dough is too sticky to handle, chilling it for 30 minutes before shaping can make it easier to work with.
- For a fluffier marshmallow swirl, use melted marshmallows instead of marshmallow fluff.
- You can substitute one jumbo marshmallow in the center of each cookie if you prefer to avoid swirling.
- Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.
- Freeze shaped dough balls for later baking; add 2 minutes to baking time when baking from frozen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg


