There is something utterly delightful about the combination of soft, buttery cookies with a burst of strawberry-flavored chocolate right in the center, which makes these Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe truly unforgettable. These charming treats bring together the comforting warmth of a classic cookie and the playful pop of a sweet, fruity kiss that melts in your mouth. Every bite feels like a little celebration, perfect for sharing with family, friends, or just savoring yourself on a cozy afternoon. Once you try this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe, it’s sure to become one of your go-to favorites for holidays, parties, or simply brightening up an ordinary day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Putting together these cookies requires a handful of simple ingredients that are staples in most kitchens, but each one plays a key role in creating their tender texture, balanced sweetness, and irresistible flavor. From the creamy butter that enriches the dough to the unique touch of strawberry chocolate kisses, this ingredient list is both straightforward and essential for success.
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened): Makes the cookies tender and rich, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds the perfect level of sweetness and helps the cookies brown slightly on the edges.
- 1 large egg (at room temperature): Binds the ingredients together and gives the dough structure and moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances flavor depth and complements the strawberry notes beautifully.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: The base that gives the cookies their shape and soft crumb.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the overall flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly, keeping them light and fluffy.
- 2 tablespoons milk: Adds moisture and helps create a soft dough that’s easy to shape.
- 1 bag Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Chocolate Kisses: The star ingredient — these luscious strawberry kisses add a fruity, chocolaty surprise inside every cookie.
- Sprinkles (optional): For a fun, festive touch that adds a little crunch and color flair.
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit so it reaches the perfect baking temperature. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and slide off the tray effortlessly.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, giving your cookies that delicate, tender texture we all love.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Mix in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and well combined. Be sure your egg is at room temperature to help it blend seamlessly without causing the butter to seize up. This mixture forms the flavorful, moist base of your cookie dough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Incorporate the flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients gradually, mixing just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so stop as soon as the dough comes together. This careful balance gives you soft, tempting cookies that hold their shape.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Using a cookie dough scoop or spoon, divide the dough into evenly sized balls and gently roll them with your hands. If you’re feeling festive, roll each ball in sprinkles for a colorful, crunchy exterior before placing them on your prepared baking sheet. This extra step makes your cookies pop visually and adds a sweet little texture surprise.
Step 6: Bake and Add the Chocolate Kisses
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until they turn lightly golden on the edges. As soon as they come out of the oven, press a Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Chocolate Kiss gently into the center of each warm cookie. This will slightly melt the chocolate and embed it perfectly into the soft cookie, creating that irresistible “kiss” moment.
Step 7: Cool and Store
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set with the perfect chewy texture. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container to keep your Strawberry Kiss Cookies fresh and delightful for days.
How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the sprinkles are optional during baking, you can also add a little powdered sugar dusting for a dusting of elegance before serving. Tiny fresh strawberry slices or a drizzle of white chocolate over the top make an eye-catching garnish that complements the strawberry flavor beautifully.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of tea, or hot chocolate for an indulgent treat. For a more adult twist, serve alongside a fruity dessert wine or champagne to highlight the sweet strawberry notes nestled in the cookie centers.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe in a decorative tin lined with tissue paper for gift-giving or at your next party. They also look adorable stacked on a rustic wooden board among fresh flowers and berries, making your dessert table both delicious and visually stunning.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies can be kept fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and help maintain that perfect texture.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these treats later, freeze unbaked cookie dough balls on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. You can also freeze fully baked cookies wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
Warm cookies for 10-15 seconds in the microwave to reawaken that fresh-baked softness or pop them in a 300-degree oven for 5 minutes. This little trick revives the luscious texture and softens the chocolate kiss perfectly.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chocolate instead of the strawberry kisses?
Absolutely! While the Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe shines with Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Chocolate Kisses, feel free to experiment with milk chocolate, white chocolate, or even peanut butter kisses for a unique twist.
What if I don’t have all-purpose flour?
All-purpose flour works best here, but you can substitute with a gluten-free flour blend if you need a gluten-free option, just be aware the texture might differ slightly depending on the blend used.
Can I add other mix-ins to this cookie dough?
Sure! Mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit like cranberries or cherries can be folded into the dough to add extra flavor and texture, though keep in mind these additions will shift the classic profile of the cookie.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted and chill your dough for 30 minutes before baking if you find the cookies spreading too much. Also, avoid over-greasing the baking sheet; parchment or silicone mats are best.
Can these cookies be made vegan or dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the butter for a plant-based alternative, use a flax or chia egg instead of a real egg, and choose dairy-free milk. The strawberry kisses may be trickier to substitute, so check for vegan chocolate options to maintain the signature flavor.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have the full scoop on how to make the perfect Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe, I hope you feel inspired to bake a batch and share the love. These cookies aren’t just a dessert; they’re a joyful experience that brightens any gathering or quiet moment alike. Once you make them, they’re sure to become a beloved classic in your recipe collection — enjoy every delicious bite!
Print
Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are soft, buttery treats topped with a luscious Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Chocolate Kiss. Perfectly sweet with a hint of vanilla, they’re easy to make and fun to decorate with optional sprinkles for a festive touch.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons milk
Topping
- 1 bag Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Chocolate Kisses
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking and to ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until the ingredients are fully combined, forming your cookie dough base.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir until the dough is well combined and smooth.
- Form Dough Balls: Use a cookie dough scoop to divide the dough evenly, then roll each portion into a ball using your hands for uniform cookies.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each for spreading during baking.
- Add Sprinkles (Optional): If using, gently roll each dough ball in sprinkles before placing on the baking sheet for a colorful, festive finish.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Press Chocolate Kiss: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Chocolate Kiss into the center of each cookie while they are still warm.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store Properly: Once fully cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and deliciousness.
Notes
- For best results, ensure butter is softened, not melted, to achieve the right cookie texture.
- Room temperature egg helps the dough mix more evenly.
- You can substitute milk with a dairy-free alternative to make it lactose-free.
- Press the chocolate kiss into the cookies right after baking so it softens slightly but doesn’t fully melt.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Sprinkles are optional but add a festive appearance.
