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These delicious yet so easy Hot Chocolate Lace Cookies are the perfect holiday cookie. Made with double the vanilla and sweet brown sugar. These cookies are crisp, buttery, and perfectly sweet with hints of caramel throughout. They’re generously sandwiched with a sweet and creamy hot chocolate ganache that truly makes these cookies roll your eyes back delicious. The secret is in the combination of vanilla and brown sugar, which keep these cookies incredibly flavorful, crisp, and so delicious. Fun and easy to bake, delicious to eat, a great homemade gift, and a festive addition to your holiday cookie box!
Such an easy holiday cookie for you guys today! Sometimes I love a more involved cookie. But come December, I also like to have a few recipes on hand that really take no time at all.
Enter these lace cookies. I’ve literally been dreaming these up since last December. I had every intention of sharing them before the end of the holiday season, but as always December flew by. I never got the chance to share these delicious “hot chocolate” stuffed lace cookies so I decided to save them.
The idea and the inspiration.
Funny enough the idea for these cookies all came from a cookie I shared in 2012, Nutella Oatmeal Lace Cookies. If you love a good trip down memory lane…or just a laugh. Read through this blog post. It’s so crazy to see how much I’ve really grown up over the years!
I remembered those lace cookies as being delicious, especially with that Nutella filling. I wondered if I could create a similar cookie but without the oatmeal and with the addition of a creamy hot cocoa center.
The Details.
I tested them out…several times, and while these cookies took a while to perfect, I finally got them right. Honestly, they’re even more delicious than I had envisioned.
For any of you who might not be familiar, lace cookies are very thin cookies usually made from either nuts or oatmeal. They’re meant to be VERY thin and crisp and are often sandwiched with fillings like chocolate or buttercream.
It’s a classic Christmas cookie and one that’s so easy to make.
First, melt the butter on the stove, then stir in the brown sugar. Cook a minute, then add the vanilla. Stir in a bit of almond flour and a pinch of salt. Let this mix cool, then add an egg white.
And that’s your dough! It’s going to seem runny at first, but let the dough sit for ten minutes and it will stiffen slightly as it cools.
Now, these cookies are not like other cookies. For one, the dough is on the greasy side, so just be aware that a little butter around the sides of the dough is OK.
And second, we are making these dough balls small. One teaspoon dollops of dough to be exact. The cookies will spread a lot in the oven, thus the need for smaller size dough balls.
And lastly, stuff them with hot chocolate!
Well, kind of. Once the cookies cool completely, sandwich them with a thicker, creamier version of hot chocolate. It’s not quite hot chocolate, but all the same flavors.
And it makes for a truly delicious lace cookie filling!! Or keep it simple and spread each cookie with sweet milk chocolate. You can’t go wrong either way!
And trust me, these cookies are GOOD. Crisp and sweet on the outside, but the filling is soft and creamy. There are hints of browned butter and caramel, as well as sweet vanilla and even a touch of espresso.
All together they’re just delicious! Like grab a third…or fourth cookie (my mom says she did) kind of good.
As mentioned, these are the perfect easy Christmas cookie to bake up. You can enjoy them yourself or gift some to friends and family. No matter who you’re gifting them to, they will be loved.
These aren’t your average cookie, but such a nice switch up!
So with that, let’s bake cookies on a December Friday night and enjoy them while watching your favorite holiday movie. Then take the leftovers and share them with friends. You’ll make everyone’s day.
‘Tis the season for giving after all! And let’s be real, there isn’t much else to do these days anyway! Embrace it!
Looking for other holiday cookie recipes? Here are my favorites:
Slice n’ Bake Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Cookies
Chai Spiced Santa Cookies with White Chocolate Frosting
Lastly, if you make these Easy Hot Chocolate Lace Cookies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Hot Chocolate Lace Cookies
Servings: 16 cookies
Calories Per Serving: 317 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg white
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 12 ounces melted milk chocolate (optional)
Hot Chocolate Filling
- 8 ounces semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Once melted, whisk in the brown sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook 1 minute. Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl. Whisk in the vanilla. Add the almond flour and salt mixing until combined. Let cool 5 minutes, then stir in the egg white. Let the dough sit 10 minutes to thicken. 2. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.3. If you can roll the dough into balls, add 1 tablespoons water to thin. The dough should be thiner and look like my photo above. 4. Drop 1 teaspoons size amounts of dough on prepared baking sheet, placing each 3 inches apart. Bake for 7-9 minutes until golden brown around the edges. The butter will be bubbling up around the cookies, this is OK. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cook completely. 5. To make the filling. Combine chocolate and cream microwave-safe bowl and microwave, stirring every 45 seconds, until melted. Stir in the vanilla and coffee powder. Let cool 10 minutes, until slightly thickened and spreadable. 6. Sandwich each cookie with the chocolate filling or melted milk chocolate. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
Nut Free Cookie: try my Oatmeal Lace Cookies.
All-Purpose Flour: I did not have success when I tested all-purpose flour, so I would recommend sticking to a nut flour or using the Oatmeal Lace Cookies.
This post was originally published on December 4, 2020
I’m confused why mine didn’t spread out in the oven. I followed the recipe to a T. My “dough” looked exactly how you have it pictured above before baking. They kind of just look like little biscuits after I baked them.
Hey Naomi,
So sorry to hear this, did you try adding 1 tablespoon of cream? This will help thin the batter out. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I followed the recipe, but they turned out more cookie like in texture and not lacy or brittle crispy. Not sure what I did wrong. They taste good, but I don’t think I got it right. May try again.
Hey Dee,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, sorry the texture was a bit off for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Ok I am trying to make these for a friend cookie contest, and they taste so good but they don’t look uniform and my edges get darker than the cookie. It’s not uniform. I used the tsp scoop. I used parchment, it looked as thin as yours, my over was 350. Should I lower it for more uniform colour?
Hey Morgan,
I would lower your heat a touch and see if this helps at all. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Someone in my family has an almond allergy, can I use hazelnut flour or a different nut flour instead?
Hey Natalie,
Sorry the almond flour is key in this recipe, I would recommend this one: https://fett-weg.today/nutella-oatmeal-lace-cookies/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I’m making these as I type! However, they’re not “lacing” – I could have over mixed… thoughts?
Hey Lindsay,
So sorry you are having issues with the cookies. Is there anything you adjusted in the recipe? Did you mix by hand or with a mixer? Please let me know how I can help! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
How did you get your cookies to be so circular? In the first batch I made I just plopped a teaspoon mound on the cookie sheet, and they came out a lot smaller looking than yours.
Hey Sarah,
I just used a teaspoon to measure out my cookies! Try adding 1 tablespoon of cream to help thin out your batter. Let me know if this helps. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Made these and they are delicious but I am struggling getting the cookies to look lacey. I feel as if I am following directions exactly. I do have a couple questions. Are you stirring butter and sugar while it boils for 1 minute. When do you begin timing the boil?
Hey Sylvia,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! I do not stir while boiling and yes once the butter and sugar comes to a boil then I start my minute timer. I hope this helps for next time! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
We made these at our annual Christmas Cookie Day, and they are amazing. I always make cookie boxes to gift to friends, and this one has been a favorite. It will now be added to the list to be made every year! Great recipe and so simple to make.
Hey Shelley,
Thanks so much for giving the cookies a try, I am so glad they were enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
These cookies are to die for!! They’re everyone’s favorite from my cookie box.
Hey Willa,
Thanks so much!! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
These look fantasitc! How long will they stay good if wrapped in cellophane bags? Thanks!
Hey Chelsea,
These would be good for up to 4 days! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hello! I made these cookies, and they were absolutely delicious. The only problem was that my dough was extremely dry and crumbly. It was very hard for me to separate into balls without them falling apart like sand. Should I add more than 1 tablespoon of water next time? Please let me know what you suggest as I would love to try these again for Christmas!
Hey Rachel,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am sorry you had issues with the texture of the cookies. Yes, next time try adding another tablespoon of water or cream. I hope this helps! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hello! Is there a non-dairy alternative you would recommend instead of cream?
Hey Samantha,
I haven’t tested this, but you could try using coconut cream. I hope you love the recipes, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I’ve made three batches of these tonight and they just aren’t working for me! I have added water to thin out the batter but they don’t spread or look very lacy. I haven’t made any adjustments to the recipe. Any tips? Despite the way they look, they do taste good ? thanks so much!
Hey Allison,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am sorry they are not working out for you. I would suggest reading through the blog post. I talk about how important it is to boil the butter and brown sugar together and following the steps exactly will result in the correct texture. I hope this helps for next time, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I made these and all went smoothly. They tasted delicious but did not stay crisp. By that night they were soft and chewy. What can I do to change that.
Hey Diane,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try! I like to store these in an airtight container to keep them crispy. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hello! These sound and look just perfect! Question – I know all purpose flour won’t work and you highly recommend almond flour but I was wondering if whole wheat flour will do as a substitute?
Hey Ashley,
Sorry the almond flour is KEY:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan