These Hostess cookies are delicious chocolate cake mix cookies covered with a simple chocolate frosting and then decorated with a marshmallow frosting swirl.
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 our espresso chocolate chip cookies found on this site. It also makes a great addition to this list of delicious cookies.
During the fall months, you may want to check out our pumpkin cake mix cookie recipe. Everyone looks forward to September when pumpkin spice recipes are widely available and sought after.
A new, totally amazing recipe that we're bringing your way is our chocolate caramel cookies. They are just to die for and you'll never be able stop at only one.
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.
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 chocolate recipes like this, you may also enjoy these cracked chocolate fudge cookies. You may also want to check out our newly published chocolate sandwich cookies. They are so delicious, you'll be eating them even in the middle of the night!
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.
FAQ
Do you have questions about Hostess cookies? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this Hostess cookies recipe.
They have all the classic flavors we love in Hostess cupcakes!
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.
These will last for about a week in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
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.
Hostess Cookies
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Hostess cupcake cookies
Equipment
- Piping bag and tip or resealable bag
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 -
Instructions
- Combine cake mix, eggs, and oil in a bowl.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Scoop 2 inch balls of batter onto a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees, bake for 10 minutes.
- 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.
- Then, pipe the marshmallow swirl on top of the chocolate frosting.
- Serve.
- Enjoy every bite.
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