Red Velvet Kiss Cookies Recipe

Get ready to fall in love with the perfect festive treat: the Red Velvet Kiss Cookies Recipe. These cookies are a delightful combination of tender red velvet dough with just the right hint of cocoa, topped beautifully with a sweet Hershey candy cane kiss that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re baking for holiday gatherings or just craving a cozy dessert, these cookies bring together vibrant color, impressive texture, and that nostalgic kiss in a bite-sized delight that’s bound to become a favorite in your cookie rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Red Velvet Kiss Cookies Recipe lies in its simple yet carefully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and that unforgettable red velvet hue.

• 1 1/2 cup flour: Provides the sturdy base for the soft and chewy cookie texture.
• 1/4 cup Hershey cocoa powder: Adds the signature subtle chocolate flavor that makes red velvet special.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps your cookies rise and become delightfully tender.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened): Creates a rich, moist crumb essential for perfect cookies.
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar: Brings warm caramel notes and extra moisture.
• 1/2 cup sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s texture.
• 1 egg: Binds everything together and adds tenderness.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor with a comforting aroma.
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring: That vibrant red color that makes these cookies instantly festive and eye-catching.
• 1/2 cup red sanding sugar: Provides a sparkling, crunchy coating that makes each cookie extra special.
• 36 Hershey candy cane kisses (unwrapped): The signature finishing touch—minty, chocolaty, and irresistible on top of every cookie.

How to Make Red Velvet Kiss Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures your oven is perfectly ready to bake the cookies evenly, giving you that soft yet slightly crispy texture we all adore.

Step 2: Cream Together the Butters and Sugars

Grab your standing mixer and cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is critical because it aerates the dough and builds the perfect base for soft, tender cookies.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Next, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. This blend adds moisture and that classic warmth in every bite.

Step 4: Mix in the Red Food Coloring

Add the red food coloring, stirring gently but thoroughly to achieve that unmistakable deep red hue that makes these cookies stand out visually and flavor-wise.

Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. This careful combination ensures your dry ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing clumps and guaranteeing consistent flavor in every bite.

Step 6: Form the Dough Balls

Using a small ice cream scoop, portion out the dough and roll each scoop into a smooth ball. This gives you evenly sized cookies and helps them bake uniformly.

Step 7: Roll in Red Sanding Sugar

Roll each dough ball in the red sanding sugar to coat it completely. This adds a delightful sparkle and slight crunch to the cookie edges, making them as fun to eat as they are to look at.

Step 8: Arrange on Cookie Sheet

Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto your prepared cookie sheet, giving them a little space to spread during baking.

Step 9: Bake the Cookies

Bake them in the oven for 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them—they should be set but still soft in the center when you take them out.

Step 10: Add the Hershey Candy Cane Kiss

After letting the cookies cool for about 2 minutes, gently press a Hershey candy cane kiss into the center of each cookie. This step adds that festive peppermint twist and iconic kiss shape that finish the cookies beautifully.

Step 11: Repeat with Remaining Dough

Continue this process with the rest of your dough until all cookies are baked and kissed.

Step 12: Let Cool Completely

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 20 minutes so the candy can firm up wonderfully and the cookies set perfectly.

Step 13: Enjoy!

Now comes the best part—grab one and experience the perfect harmony of velvety chocolate, peppermint, and sugar sparkle in every bite.

How to Serve Red Velvet Kiss Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

While these cookies are stunning on their own, you can add a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a drizzle of white chocolate for an extra festive touch. Sprinkle some crushed candy canes around the plate for a crunchy contrast and a pop of holiday flair.

Side Dishes

Pair your Red Velvet Kiss Cookies with a glass of cold milk, a hot cup of peppermint tea, or creamy hot chocolate. These drinks complement the minty kiss and rich red velvet flavor beautifully, creating a cozy, indulgent snack experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For a show-stopping dessert table, arrange the cookies on a tiered platter or in festive holiday tins. You can wrap a few in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbons as charming edible gifts or party favors that everyone will adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store your Red Velvet Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep their softness and flavor for up to a week, making them perfect for preparing in advance of any celebration.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked cookies (without the Hershey kisses) by placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature and add the candy kisses fresh, or freeze the dough balls and bake them straight from the freezer by adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy your cookies warm, simply microwave them for about 10-15 seconds or pop them in a preheated 300-degree oven for 3 to 5 minutes. This warms the cookie and slightly softens the candy kiss for that melt-in-your-mouth moment.

FAQs

Can I substitute the Hershey candy cane kisses?

Absolutely! While the candy cane kisses give a unique minty twist, you can swap them for classic Hershey’s Kisses or even small chocolate truffles to customize your cookies’ flavor.

Is red food coloring necessary?

For the signature vibrant red of a true red velvet cookie, red food coloring is highly recommended. You can use natural colorings like beet juice, but the results may vary in intensity.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

With some ingredient swaps like vegan butter, egg replacer, and dairy-free Hershey alternatives, you can adapt this recipe to fit a vegan lifestyle while still enjoying delicious red velvet cookies.

How do I avoid the cookies spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and chill your dough briefly before baking if your kitchen is warm. This helps maintain the shape and prevent excess spreading.

Can I halve the recipe?

Yes, this recipe scales down easily. Just halve each ingredient, but be mindful of baking time as smaller batches might bake slightly faster.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a show-stopping yet easy cookie to brighten up any occasion, the Red Velvet Kiss Cookies Recipe is your answer. Each bite brings together tender red velvet, a hint of chocolate, sparkling sugar, and that unforgettable peppermint kiss. Trust me, once you bake a batch, these will be your go-to cookies for holidays, parties, or just treating yourself. So preheat that oven and get ready to create some happy memories with this delicious recipe!

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