Looking for a fun, sweet treat that’s both delicious and festive? Let me introduce you to Strawberry Kiss Cookies—the perfect balance of fruity, sweet, and just a little bit fancy. These cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with the sweet flavor of strawberry, all topped off with a cute little Hershey’s Kiss for that perfect chocolatey finish. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just treating yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to steal the show.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
What makes these Strawberry Kiss Cookies so irresistible is how simple yet indulgent they are. The strawberry-flavored dough creates a beautiful, soft base that pairs perfectly with the rich, creamy chocolate kiss on top. Every bite offers the perfect mix of tangy sweetness from the strawberries and the smooth chocolate. Plus, they’re so much fun to make and share, whether you’re baking for the holidays or just enjoying a sweet moment on your own.
Ingredients
Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need for these delicious cookies. Full ingredient details are below!
- Strawberry cake mix (yes, the secret ingredient!)
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- All-purpose flour
- Powdered sugar (for rolling)
- Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped)
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). You want the oven to be nice and hot so your cookies bake evenly and get that perfect golden brown edge.
Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and a bit of flour. Mix everything together until a soft dough forms. The dough will be a little thick, which is exactly what you want—it helps hold the cookie shape and gives you that chewy texture.
Step 3: Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls using your hands. Once you have all your dough balls, roll each one in powdered sugar to give them that beautiful, snow-like coating. This not only adds a lovely touch but also helps create a soft, crackly texture when baked.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
Place the dough balls on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. These cookies will look a little puffy, but don’t worry—they’ll settle as they cool.
Step 5: Add the Hershey’s Kisses
Once the cookies are out of the oven, let them cool for about 2 minutes. Then, gently press an unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. The heat from the cookie will slightly melt the chocolate, giving it that perfect “kissed” look.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. As the cookies cool, the chocolate kiss will harden again, making for the perfect sweet bite. Now, you’re ready to enjoy these strawberry-flavored delights!
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Don’t overbake: These cookies are soft by nature, so be sure to remove them from the oven when they’re just slightly golden around the edges. Overbaking will make them too crunchy.
- Let the cookies cool before adding the Kisses: If you add the Kisses while the cookies are too hot, they may melt too much and lose their shape. Let the cookies cool slightly, then gently press the Kisses into the centers.
- Add a twist of flavor: If you want to make these cookies extra special, try swapping out the Hershey’s Kisses for white chocolate, milk chocolate, or even a caramel-filled Kiss for a different flavor.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Use a different cake mix: Don’t have strawberry cake mix? You can use other flavors, like vanilla, lemon, or even chocolate, for a fun twist. Just keep in mind that the texture of the cookies will change depending on the flavor of the cake mix you use.
- Go for mini Kisses: If you want to make these cookies a little smaller and more bite-sized, you can use mini Hershey’s Kisses instead. They’ll be perfect for snacking or gifting.
- Add sprinkles: For a festive touch, roll the dough balls in colorful sprinkles instead of powdered sugar. This adds a fun pop of color to the cookies!
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are perfect on their own, but you can also pair them with a cup of tea or coffee for an afternoon treat. If you’re serving these at a party or get-together, they’ll go wonderfully with a bowl of fresh strawberries or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a cozy dessert, serve these with a warm mug of hot cocoa or a chilled glass of milk.
Storage and Reheating Tips
If you have leftovers (which, let’s be honest, is unlikely), store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They stay soft and chewy, just like the day you made them! If you’d like to freeze them, you can wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply leave them on the counter for about an hour.
4 FAQs
1. Can I make these cookies without the Hershey’s Kisses?
Absolutely! You can either leave them off entirely for a simpler strawberry-flavored cookie, or try adding chocolate chips or a drizzle of chocolate over the top after baking.
2. Can I use a homemade strawberry cake mix?
Yes! If you prefer to make your own cake mix, you can do so. Just be sure to get the proportions right so the dough comes out the right consistency.
3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling into balls and baking.
4. Can I use other types of chocolate in these cookies?
Definitely! Feel free to swap out the Hershey’s Kisses for your favorite type of chocolate, such as peanut butter cups, caramel-filled chocolates, or even white chocolate.
Conclusion
These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are the perfect combination of soft, chewy, and chocolatey goodness. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of sweet cookies that will be the highlight of any occasion. Whether you’re baking them for the holidays, a birthday party, or just because, these cookies are always a crowd-pleaser. Try them out, and I promise they’ll become a new favorite in your cookie repertoire!
Print
Strawberry Kiss Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies, Holiday Treats
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Holiday
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are a soft, chewy, and sweet treat made with a strawberry-flavored cookie base, topped with a Hershey’s Kiss for an extra burst of chocolate goodness. These festive cookies are perfect for holidays, parties, or anytime you’re craving something sweet and fruity with a chocolate twist.
Ingredients
- 1 box strawberry cake mix (about 15.25 oz)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- 24 Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined and a dough forms. The dough should be thick.
- Shape the cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Bake the cookies: Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden.
- Add the Hershey’s Kiss: Once the cookies are out of the oven, immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie while they are still warm. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Serve and enjoy these soft, sweet, and chocolatey strawberry cookies!
Notes
- For a fun variation, you can use white chocolate Kisses or any other flavor of Hershey’s Kiss you prefer.
- If you don’t want the cookies to be too sweet, you can reduce the powdered sugar in the dough slightly.
- These cookies freeze well! Store them in an airtight container, and they’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg