featured 1981

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars

This post contains sponsored content by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions expressed are my own. #NestleHolidayBaking #CollectiveBias

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars: The Ultimate Holiday Treat for Cookie Exchanges

Prepare to have your hot cocoa and eat it too with these irresistible Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars. Featuring seven decadent layers of rich cookies, refreshing peppermints, fluffy marshmallows, premium chocolate, crunchy peanuts, and sweet coconut, all generously drizzled with luscious sweetened condensed milk, these bars are a guaranteed showstopper. They’re not just a dessert; they’re a celebration in every bite, perfect for festive gatherings and winning your next holiday cookie exchange!

Embracing the Warmth of Holiday Traditions: A Hot Cocoa Story

Few things evoke the cozy comfort and nostalgic charm of the holiday season quite like a steaming mug of hot cocoa. I vividly remember those enchanting childhood afternoons, bundled up from head to toe, returning indoors after exhilarating hours of playing in the freshly fallen snow. Before my boots were even off, my first request to my mother was always for a comforting cup of hot chocolate. It was a ritual, a warm embrace that melted away the chill and signified the end of a perfect winter day.

Now, as a parent myself, I’ve proudly continued this cherished tradition. I’ve even perfected the art of having that rich, inviting mug ready and waiting, often within mere minutes of my children stepping outside to build snowmen or engage in spirited snowball fights. And a vital, non-negotiable rule in our household? Always, always, include a generous heaping of extra marshmallows. It’s the secret ingredient, not just for sweetness, but for avoiding any post-snow play meltdowns and ensuring pure, unadulterated joy.

As I’ve grown older, my love affair with hot chocolate has only deepened, evolving to include a particular festive twist: peppermint. That crisp, cool, and invigorating flavor instantly transports me to a world of twinkling lights, carols, and cherished holiday memories, making it an absolute essential in all my seasonal beverages. There’s a certain charm in visiting my favorite local coffee shop and indulging in a peppermint hot chocolate, a small yet significant ritual that marks the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year. This delightful combination of rich, velvety chocolate and refreshing peppermint is truly the epitome of holiday cheer and the inspiration behind today’s recipe.

The Perfect Companion: Cookies and the Magic of NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE®

What pairs more perfectly with a warm cup of hot cocoa than a freshly baked cookie? In our home, the month of December transforms into a nonstop cookie-baking marathon. It’s more than just a tradition; it’s a joyful expression of the holiday spirit, a way to spread cheer, share love, and immerse ourselves in the festive atmosphere. My holiday baking journey took an exciting and incredibly convenient turn during a recent trip to my local Walmart. I was absolutely thrilled and frankly, delighted, to discover the NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Hot Cocoa Cookies!

My immediate thought was, “Those geniuses at Nestle have done it again!” They had brilliantly combined two of the holiday season’s most beloved flavors – the comforting essence of hot cocoa and the irresistible joy of fresh cookies – and even better, they were generously stuffed with fluffy marshmallows. Because, let’s be honest, can you truly savor hot cocoa without those delightful little pockets of sweet, melt-in-your-mouth goodness? The answer, unequivocally, is no!

The real game-changer here is the incredible convenience these cookies offer. Nestle has already done all the demanding work for you. These are classic break-and-bake cookies, meaning only about ten minutes stand between you and a plate of warm, gooey hot cocoa cookies. This speed is an absolute lifesaver, especially for a busy parent like me, whose children seem to reach their outdoor freezing limit and start begging to come inside in roughly the same amount of time it takes to bake these treats. The simple act of popping these pre-made cookies into the oven allows me to create instant holiday magic without the stress of measuring, mixing, and chilling dough from scratch. It truly is the ultimate holiday baking shortcut, allowing more precious time for family moments and less time spent tied to the kitchen.

Beyond the seasonal Hot Cocoa Cookies, I also noticed another exciting offering from Nestle: their “Cookie of the Year,” a Salted Caramel delight. OMG, YUM! That’s definitely at the top of my list for my next Walmart run, proving just how much delicious variety Nestle Toll House brings to the baking aisle. They truly make it easier than ever to explore new flavors and create memorable, festive treats for any occasion during the bustling holiday season.

Elevating Convenience: Introducing Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars for Cookie Exchanges

Inspired by my enduring love for the classic combination of peppermint and hot cocoa, and fueled by the fantastic discovery of Nestle’s convenient Hot Cocoa Cookies, I was determined to create a truly spectacular holiday treat. While the NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Hot Cocoa Cookies are absolutely delightful on their own – quick, easy, and wonderfully satisfying – I envisioned something more elaborate. I wanted a show-stopping dessert, something with multiple layers of texture and flavor that would be perfect for sharing at holiday parties and, most importantly, stand out as a memorable offering at any cookie exchange.

Cookie exchanges are a beloved holiday tradition, bringing together friends and family to share their best homemade confections. They often come with a friendly challenge: bringing something truly unique, impressive, and, ideally, homemade. These Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars are the perfect solution, marrying convenience with creativity. They begin with the amazing foundation of store-bought NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Hot Cocoa cookie dough, but then you transform them into a completely custom, multi-layered masterpiece. You’re not just baking a cookie; you’re crafting a luxurious bar that tastes and looks like you spent hours meticulously preparing it, when in reality, Nestle did much of the foundational work. This approach allows you to present a genuinely “homemade” creation, fulfilling the spirit of a cookie swap while cleverly leveraging smart baking shortcuts to save you precious time during this busy season.

Crafting Your Seven-Layer Masterpiece: A Step-by-Step Culinary Journey

The sheer beauty and ingenuity of these Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars lie in their layered construction, which ingeniously starts with the unparalleled convenience of pre-made cookie dough. Here’s how to construct your decadent seven-layer bars, layer by delicious layer, transforming simple ingredients into a holiday marvel:

  1. **The Foundation:** Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Prepare an 8×8 inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring the paper generously overhangs the sides. This thoughtful step will be your best friend later, allowing for effortless removal of the entire baked slab.
  2. **Double the Delight for Your Cookie Base:** Carefully place 16 individual NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Hot Cocoa cookie dough disks into the prepared pan, gently spreading them out to form an even, continuous first layer across the bottom. Then, strategically place another 16 disks on top of the first layer, spreading them out as well, to create a robust and wonderfully thick cookie base. This double layer ensures a substantial foundation that can perfectly support all the glorious toppings to come.
  3. **Initial Bake & Crucial Cool Down:** Slide your pan into the preheated oven and bake the cookie base for approximately 30 minutes, or until it’s beautifully set, with a golden-brown hue around the edges. This baking time is slightly longer than the package instructions for a single layer, but it’s essential to account for the double thickness and ensure a firm, stable base. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10-15 minutes. This cooling period is absolutely crucial; it provides a stable, slightly firm surface for the subsequent layers, preventing them from sinking or melding prematurely.
  4. **Layering the Goodness: Chocolate, Coconut, Peanuts & Sweet Drizzle:** Now for the fun and flavorful part! Generously and evenly sprinkle a ¼ cup of rich chocolate chips, a ¼ cup of finely shredded coconut, a ¼ cup of crunchy chopped peanuts, and half of your crushed candy canes over the slightly cooled cookie layer. Each ingredient adds a unique texture, a burst of flavor, and an inviting visual appeal. Then, take 4 ounces of your sweetened condensed milk and drizzle it lavishly and evenly over these vibrant toppings. This acts as a delightful binder, ensuring everything adheres beautifully, and adds an incredible richness and moisture that permeates the bars. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld wonderfully and the toppings to slightly caramelize, enhancing their individual characteristics.
  5. **Marshmallow Magic & Peppermint Perfection:** Remove the bars from the oven once more. While still warm, liberally sprinkle the remaining ⅔ cup of fluffy mini marshmallows and the rest of the crushed candy canes over the warm, gooey layers. The warmth of the bars will slightly soften the marshmallows, preparing them for their final transformation. Now, drizzle the remaining 2 ounces of sweetened condensed milk on top, ensuring every piece gets a final, decadent kiss of that sweet, sticky goodness, binding the top layers together.
  6. **Final Bake & Golden Touch:** For the grand finale, return the pan to the oven for one last bake, about 10 more minutes, or until the marshmallows are beautifully puffed, lightly toasted, and have achieved a glorious golden-brown hue. It’s important to keep a close eye on them during this stage to prevent any burning, as marshmallows can brown quickly.
  7. **Slice & Serve with Joy:** Once out of the oven, allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This patience is key, as cooling allows the layers to set properly, making for clean, precise cuts. Once fully cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to carefully lift the entire slab out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and slice into 12 perfect, irresistible squares. Now, these magnificent Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars are ready to be devoured, shared, and celebrated!

The Unforgettable Taste: A Family Favorite and Sensory Delight

Just feast your eyes on those incredible ooey-gooey marshmallows, perfectly baked right into the cookie layer! Isn’t it utterly amazing how the NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Hot Cocoa cookie dough already has those delightful marshmallows embedded within, promising a surprise burst of sweetness in every bite? And that glistening sweetened condensed milk, blanketing every inch of these bars, creating a sticky, sweet glaze… Mmmm, it’s a symphony for the taste buds, a truly decadent experience.

Even my husband, who isn’t usually the biggest fan of peppermint, took one bite and enthusiastically declared these bars “amazing!” Winning him over on a flavor profile he’s typically reserved about is always a huge success and a testament to how perfectly balanced these bars are. My children, as expected, absolutely went nuts for these Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars. They especially loved the dual marshmallow experience – having them baked into the bottom cookie layer, thanks to Nestle, and then more added on top, creating a delightful textural contrast. The harmonious combination of the familiar hot cocoa flavor, the playful crunch and cool zing of candy canes, and the varied textures from the nuts and coconut creates a dessert that’s truly unforgettable. It’s a sweet, comforting, and exciting treat all rolled into one, making it an instant family favorite that will surely become a cherished staple in your holiday baking repertoire.

What’s even better, I didn’t even use both packages of the NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Hot Cocoa cookies for the bars, leaving some delicious dough disks leftover. This meant we had the perfect excuse to simply bake and enjoy a few of those delicious cookies on their own – a quick, delightful treat that went perfectly with a tall glass of cold milk after a busy day. And let me tell you, the aroma alone in my house while these bars were baking was utterly divine; it was truly “heaven from the oven!” The rich chocolate, sweet marshmallows, and refreshing peppermint filled every corner of our home with an intoxicating fragrance, instantly setting a wonderfully festive mood that lasted for hours.

Does that picture make you want to reach right through the screen and grab a bar? It certainly does for me! As the fabulous Rachael Ray famously asks, “When are they going to invent smell-o-vision?” Because if they did, you’d be instantly transported to our kitchen, enveloped in the intoxicating aroma of rich chocolate, cool peppermint, and perfectly toasted marshmallows. Until then, you’ll just have to bake these magnificent bars to experience that sensory delight for yourself!

Recipe: Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars, a festive dessert recipe featuring Nestle Toll House Hot Cocoa cookie dough, marshmallows, peppermint, and chocolate.

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars

Have your hot cocoa and eat it too with these delightful Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars. They feature 7 layers of delicious cookies, peppermints, marshmallows, chocolate, peanuts, coconut, and are finally drizzled with sweetened condensed milk. Perfect for cookie exchanges!

Author: Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Prep Time:

Cook Time:

Total Time:

Yield: 12 bars

Category: Dessert, Holiday Treat, Cookie Bar

Ingredients:

  • 2 (16.5 oz) packages NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Hot Cocoa cookie dough (You’ll use 32 cookies total)
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
  • 6 ounces sweetened condensed milk (divided)
  • 2/3 cup mini marshmallows
  • 4 candy canes, crushed and divided

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
  2. Place 16 cookie dough disks into the pan and spread them out to form an even layer. Place another 16 disks on top, spreading them out to create a thick, sturdy base.
  3. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cookie base is set and lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool slightly for about 10-15 minutes.
  4. Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips, coconut, chopped peanuts, and half of the crushed candy canes over the cooled cookie layer. Drizzle 4 ounces of the sweetened condensed milk over the toppings.
  5. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
  6. Remove from oven. Sprinkle the marshmallows and the remaining crushed candy canes on top. Drizzle the remaining 2 ounces of sweetened condensed milk over everything.
  7. Bake for another 10 minutes, or until the marshmallows are puffed and lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
  8. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before carefully lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into 12 squares. Enjoy!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars based on 1 review.

 

Perfect for Gifting: Presentation Matters for Holiday Treats!

Beyond their incredible taste, these Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookie Bars truly excel as a giftable treat during the holiday season. As I mentioned, they are perfect for cookie exchanges, but their impressive appearance, multi-layered texture, and utterly delicious flavor make them ideal for gifting to friends, family, teachers, neighbors, colleagues, and anyone else you want to treat with a little extra sweetness. Presentation is absolutely key when it comes to homemade food gifts, and these bars offer a fantastic canvas for your creative touches. Imagine packaging these beautiful, distinctively layered treats in festive boxes, clear cellophane bags tied with elegant ribbons, or charming holiday tins.

To make your gifts even more special and professionally presented, Nestle graciously provides adorable, printable holiday gift tags, charming paper ribbons, and festive bows. These delightful little additions can instantly transform your homemade treats into thoughtful, beautifully packaged gifts that truly stand out. You can find these free, easy-to-download resources to use for your cookie bars, cupcakes, individual cookie cups, or any other appetizers and treats you’re preparing for holiday parties, thoughtful food gifting, and spirited cookie swaps. A personal touch makes all the difference, and these printable decorations make it incredibly easy and enjoyable to add that extra flair and festive spirit to your delicious creations.

Click on the link below for your free download of Holiday Tags, Paper Ribbon & Bows from Nestle:

Nestlé December Flags, Tags, and Labels Download

Unlock More Holiday Baking Inspiration with Nestle Toll House

If you’re seeking even more creative ideas and delightful recipes to make your holiday treats truly shine this year, Nestle is an unparalleled resource. Whether you’re baking for friends, family gatherings, or preparing for your annual cookie exchange, their diverse platforms are bursting with inspiration and helpful tips. Be sure to visit Walmart’s Nestle Neighborhood page for a wealth of tutorials, innovative recipes, and classic favorites designed to elevate your holiday baking game. From timeless cookie recipes to exciting new dessert creations, you’ll discover everything you need to make your kitchen the vibrant heart of holiday cheer.

For a continuous stream of festive ideas, make it a point to follow Nestle on social media and explore their dedicated inspiration boards. Dive into their Flavorful Moments and Very Best Baking Pinterest boards, which are absolutely packed with awesome recipes, stunning food photography, and clever baking hacks that will save you time and spark your creativity. You’ll find yourself scrolling for hours, discovering new favorites and reimagining classic treats with fresh eyes.

And don’t forget to connect with Nestle on Instagram and Facebook. These platforms offer daily doses of inspiration, featuring mouth-watering photos, seasonal recipe ideas, engaging content, and timely tips that will keep your holiday baking spirits high throughout the busiest season. Stay updated on their latest products, exciting promotions, and invaluable baking tips to make your entire baking season a breeze and a joy.

Share Your Holiday Baking Secrets and Inspirations!

I’d absolutely love to hear from you, my fellow baking enthusiasts! How do you plan to incorporate Nestle products into your holiday baking repertoire this season? Are you a loyal fan of their famous chocolate chip cookies, a timeless classic that brings smiles year after year? Or do you have another Nestle favorite that makes your holiday spread extra special and unique? What clever shortcuts, indispensable tips, or secret ingredients do you rely on to make the busy holiday season a little less stressful and a lot more enjoyable in the kitchen? I wholeheartedly recommend leveraging the convenience and incredible, consistent flavors of Nestle cookie dough – it truly is a game-changer for holiday baking, freeing up time for other festive activities. Please share your valuable tips, ingenious tricks, and cherished favorite recipes in the comments section below. Let’s inspire each other to make this holiday season the most delicious, stress-free, and memorable one yet!