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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Hostess Cookies

    Published: May 24, 2022 · Modified: Jul 4, 2023 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    These Hostess cookies are delicious chocolate cake mix cookies covered with a simple chocolate frosting and then decorated with a marshmallow frosting swirl.

    Overhead shot of Hostess cookies on a cooling rack and a white plate on a table. The cookies are round shaped, chocolate colored and topped with chocolate and marshmallow frosting.

    If you love Hostess cupcakes you're going to really love these cookies. They're inspired by the classic Hostess snack, and decorated to look like them, too!

    Hostess Cookies

    This was inspired by my other pumpkin cake mix cookie recipe on this site and makes a great addition to this list of delicious cookies.

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few basic ingredients to make this recipe. You can find them all easily at your local grocery store. You might even have them in your kitchen already.

    • milk chocolate cake mix
    • eggs
    • vegetable oil
    • marshmallow frosting

    Frosting

    • cocoa powder
    • powdered sugar
    • milk
    • vanilla extract

    See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.

    Instructions

    This recipe takes fewer steps to make than it does ingredients. That's really saying something when you consider the ingredient list!

    Step 1: Make the Cake Batter

    Combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil in a bowl and mix thoroughly.

    Step 2: Bake the Cookies

    Scoop 2-inch balls of batter onto a cookie sheet and bake them for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. When the cookies are finished baking, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Step 3: Make the Frosting

    While the cookies are baking, mix the cocoa, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a bowl until combined. Then set it aside.

    Additionally, fill a pastry bag with a small round piping tip with marshmallow frosting.

    Step 4: Frost the Cookies

    Frost the cooled cookies with the chocolate frosting and let the cookies sit for about 5 minutes. Then, pipe the marshmallow frosting across the top of the cookies in the classic Hostess swirl. Enjoy!

    Hint: Be sure to let your cookies cool completely before adding the frosting so it doesn't slide off the cookies.

    Closeup photo of hostess cookies on a white plate. The cookies are round shaped, chocolate colored and topped with chocolate and marshmallow frosting.

    Substitutions

    Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this Hostess cookies recipe.

    • Chocolate Cake Mix - If you don't have milk chocolate cake mix, you can use regular chocolate cake mix.
    • Storebought Frosting - If you don't have the ingredients for the frosting, you can use storebought frosting.

    Variations

    Want to personalize this Hostess cookie recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Your Favorite Cake Mix - You can use your favorite cake mix for these cookies.
    • Your Favorite Frosting - You can use your favorite frosting for these cookies.
    • Totally Homemade - Make the batter and frosting from scratch for a totally homemade version.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these cracked chocolate fudge cookies.

    Equipment

    It only takes a few basic pieces of kitchenware to make this recipe.

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Mixing bowls
    • Hand mixer
    • Baking sheet
    • Piping bag and tip or resealable bag

    Storage

    Store these cookies in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to a week.

    Tips

    I have a couple of tips here that will help you make the best cookies you possibly can. They're easy, but they make a big difference.

    • Let the cookies cool completely before frosting so the frosting doesn't slide off.
    • Letting the frosting sit for 5 minutes is key so the two frostings don't bleed together.
    Closeup shot of a stack of Hostess cookies stacked atop one another like a tower on a white plate. The cookies are round shaped, chocolate colored and topped with chocolate and marshmallow frosting.

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about Hostess cookies? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this Hostess cookies recipe.

    What do Hostess cookies taste like?

    They have all the classic flavors we love in Hostess cupcakes!

    What are cake mix cookies?

    Cake mix cookies are simply cookies that are made out of cake mix. Sometimes, additional ingredients are added to batter, and sometimes the batter is simply dropped by spoonfuls onto the cookie sheet.

    How long are cake mix cookies good?

    These will last for about a week in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

    Why do I have to refrigerate these cookies?

    They have a frosting that's made with milk, so refrigeration is important.

    More Cookie Recipes

    Do you like cookies? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

    • Muddy Buddy Cookies
    • White Chocolate Chunk Fudge Cookies
    • Chewy Carrot Cake Cookies

    Hostess Cookies

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    Hostess cupcake cookies

    Karin and Ken
    These Hostess cookies are made with milk chocolate cake mix and a chocolate frosting. They tastes just like Hostess cupcakes!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Decorating Time, Cooling Time, divided 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 297 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • 2 Mixing Bowls
    • Hand mixer
    • rimmed baking sheet
    • Piping bag and tip or resealable bag
    • spatula
    • Cookie Scoop
    • wire rack

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 box milk chocolate cake mix
    • 2 large eggs
    • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
    • 1 container (12 oz) Pillsbury marshmallow frosting

    Frosting

    • 1 cup cocoa powder
    • 4 cups powdered sugar
    • 6 tablespoons milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract -
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Combine cake mix, eggs, and oil in a bowl.
      cake mix, eggs, and oil in a large mixing bowl to be mixed.
    • Mix thoroughly.
      Ingredients mixed in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer.
    • Scoop 2 inch balls of batter onto a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees, bake for 10 minutes.
      Two inch scoops of batter placed on a a baking sheet.
    • While your cookies are baking mix up the chocolate frosting for the tops of your cookies. Mix cocoa, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, in a bowl and set aside. Fill a pastry bag or resealavle bag with marshmallow frosting and use a small round piping tip or cut a small corner off a resealable bag.
    • Remove cookies from oven and let cool on a wire rack. When cookies are cool, frost with chocolate frosting and let sit for about 5 minutes, giving the frosting time to set up.
      Spreading chocolate frosting on top of the cookies using the back of a spoon.
    • Then, pipe the marshmallow swirl on top of the chocolate frosting.
      All cookies on the wire rack have been covered in chocolate frosting.
    • Serve.
      Overhead photo of hostess cookies on a cooling rack and a white plate.
    • Enjoy every bite.
      Closeup photo of a hostess cookie held up by hand. The cookie has a bite missing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 71gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 314mgPotassium: 252mgFiber: 4gSugar: 54gVitamin A: 58IUCalcium: 78mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword hostess cookie
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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