Soft & Sweet Hershey Kiss Cookies Recipe for Holiday Magic

Sweet chocolate kiss cookies blend comfort and nostalgia into every delectable bite.

These Hershey kiss cookies combine simple ingredients with pure delight.

Soft, buttery dough wraps around rich chocolate kisses, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this classic treat with ease.

Perfect for holiday gatherings or afternoon snacking, these cookies bring warmth to any kitchen.

Whip up a batch and watch smiles spread faster than melted chocolate.

Indulge in a timeless recipe that promises sweet memories with every crisp, chocolatey morsel.

Why Hershey Kiss Cookies Are So Popular

• Create delightful memories by baking these adorable cookies together, perfect for engaging kids in the kitchen and making sweet moments.
• Wow guests with these stunning cookies that look professionally made, featuring colorful sugar coating and chocolate kiss centerpiece, ideal for holiday gatherings or potluck events.
• Beginner bakers can master this recipe with minimal steps, requiring basic mixing and rolling techniques that build confidence in the kitchen without complex instructions.
• Deliver a speedy dessert solution that takes minimal preparation time, offering a rapid way to satisfy sudden sweet cravings with minimal kitchen cleanup.

Ingredients That Make Hershey Kiss Cookies Shine

• Flour: A key component that provides structure and texture to the cookie base.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a soft, tender cookie.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a golden brown exterior.
• Hershey's Kisses: The star topping that creates a delightful chocolate center for each cookie.

• Egg: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.

• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a light, tender texture.
• Sanding Sugar: Adds a decorative and crunchy exterior to the cookie balls.

Supplies and Tools for Hershey Kiss Cookies

• Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for combining wet and dry ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Helps cream butter and sugar smoothly.
• Baking Sheet: Flat pan for baking cookies.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk: For mixing dry ingredients.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: For mixing and scraping bowl sides.
• Cooling Rack: Optional for cooling cookies after baking.

Instructions for Making Soft Hershey Kiss Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 375F and grab a baking sheet.

Line it with parchment paper to keep things smooth.

Unwrap those Hershey’s Kisses and set them nearby – they’ll be the star of the show later.

Step 2: Create Creamy Base

Grab a big mixing bowl and whip together sugar and softened butter until they look light and fluffy like a cloud.

Crack in the egg and splash of vanilla, then blend until everything looks silky and combined.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix flour and baking soda with a quick whisk.

Slowly fold this powdery mix into your wet ingredients, stirring until a soft, tender dough forms.

Step 4: Roll and Coat Cookies

Use your hands to roll the dough into cute little balls, each about the size of a golf ball.

Dance these balls around in colorful sanding sugar until they’re totally covered in sparkly sweetness.

Place them on the baking sheet with some breathing room between each cookie.

Step 5: Bake Until Perfect

Slide the tray into the hot oven and bake for exactly 7 minutes.

You want them set but not turning brown – think golden and delicate.

Step 6: Kiss and Press

The moment they come out of the oven, quickly press a Hershey’s Kiss right in the center of each warm cookie.

The heat will help the chocolate stick perfectly.

Step 7: Let Them Chill

Leave the cookies right on the baking sheet until they cool completely.

This helps the chocolate Kisses firm up and keeps everything looking beautiful.

Cookie Tips for Perfect Hershey Kiss Centers

• Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before baking to ensure smooth, even mixing and perfect cookie texture.
• Don't overmix the cookie dough, as this can make cookies tough and dry. Stop mixing once ingredients are just combined.
• Use a light touch when rolling cookies in sanding sugar. Gently roll to get an even, delicate coating without compressing the dough.
• Press Hershey's Kisses gently into warm cookies to avoid cracking the chocolate or breaking the cookie base.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Variations to Try with Hershey Kiss Cookies

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly cookie that maintains the same delicious texture and chocolatey kiss topping.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap butter for coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select dairy-free chocolate kisses to create a plant-based rendition of the classic treat.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute granulated sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall calorie content while keeping the cookie's soft, rich character intact.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough before rolling, adding extra protein and a delightful crunch to the traditional Hershey Kiss cookie recipe.

Presentation and Serving Ideas for Kiss Cookies

• Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange cookies on a decorative red or green plate with sprigs of holly or miniature pinecones for a magical christmas presentation.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Serve alongside cold milk or hot cocoa to enhance the rich, sweet flavor profile of the Hershey Kiss cookies.
• Gift-Giving Delight: Package cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, perfect for homemade holiday gifts or cookie exchanges with friends and family.
• Sweet Dessert Pairing: Create an indulgent dessert board with these cookies, adding complementary treats like vanilla ice cream, chocolate truffles, or fresh berries for added texture and variety.

How to Keep Hershey Kiss Cookies Fresh

• Seal cooled cookies in an airtight container, placing wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and chocolatey goodness.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for 2-3 months, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Store in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat to prevent chocolate melting and cookie softening.
• Warm gently in microwave for 5-8 seconds or place in a preheated 250°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore that fresh-baked warmth and softness.

FAQs

• What ingredients make these cookies so delightful?

The combination of softened butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, flour, and baking soda creates a tender, sweet base. Rolling the cookies in colorful sanding sugar adds a sparkling, crunchy texture, while the Hershey’s Kiss provides a rich chocolate finish.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften before rolling and baking.

• How do I prevent the Hershey's Kiss from melting completely?

Press the Kiss into the warm cookie immediately after baking, but let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. This allows the chocolate to set without fully melting and helps maintain the Kiss’s shape.

Hershey Kiss Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Hershey kiss cookies blend chocolate and peanut butter into classic holiday magic. Sweet morsels nestle atop tender cookie bases, creating irresistible treats you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups (270 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
• 3/4 cup (170 grams) salted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 egg

Cookie Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Decoration:

• 24 Hershey’s Kisses chocolates, unwrapped
• Bright colored sanding sugar (any festive colors you prefer)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal non-stick performance. Unwrap Hershey’s Kisses in advance for seamless cookie assembly.
2. Cream sugar and softened butter in a large mixing bowl until achieving a light, airy texture. Incorporate egg and vanilla, blending until the mixture becomes smooth and homogeneous.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking soda through careful whisking. Gradually integrate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive, soft dough forms.
4. Craft uniform dough balls approximately 1-inch in diameter using gentle hand rolling. Completely coat each ball in vibrant sanding sugar, positioning them strategically on the prepared baking sheet with adequate spacing.
5. Transfer the cookie-laden sheet into the preheated oven, baking precisely 7 minutes until cookies appear set but not discolored.
6. Immediately after removing from the oven, swiftly press an unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. The residual heat will slightly melt the Kiss’s base, ensuring secure placement.
7. Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet, permitting the Hershey’s Kisses to re-solidify and prevent potential chocolate smearing during transfer.

Notes

• Choose room-temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and create more defined cookie shapes.
• For gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend, ensuring equal measurements.
• When pressing Hershey Kisses, use gentle pressure to avoid cracking the warm cookie base.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg