Strawberry Kiss Cookies are sweet little treats that bring a pop of color and flavor. These cookies are soft and chewy, with a fun surprise of a chocolate kiss on top!
I love making these cookies with my kids—they always enjoy placing the kisses on top. They’re perfect for sharing at gatherings or just for a cozy snack at home! 😊
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: Softened butter gives a rich flavor and tender texture. If you’re in a pinch, you can use margarine, but I recommend sticking with butter for the best taste!
Granulated Sugar: This ingredient sweetens the cookies and helps them spread. Brown sugar can be used for a slight caramel flavor. You can also use a sugar substitute if you’re looking for a healthier option.
Strawberry-Flavored Crisp Candies: These add a fun twist! If they’re hard to find, try crushed freeze-dried strawberries to achieve a balance of flavor and texture. You can even use raspberry candies if you want a berry mix!
Coarse Sanding Sugar: It adds a lovely sparkle! If you don’t have it, you can substitute with regular granulated sugar or colored sugar sprinkles for a festive touch.
Chocolate Kisses: I love using strawberry-flavored kisses for extra flavor and a fun look. If those aren’t available, regular Hershey’s Kisses work just fine!
How Do You Achieve the Perfect Soft Cookie Texture?
To ensure your cookies are soft and chewy, focus on the mixing and baking times! Here’s how:
- Creame the butter and sugar well. This adds air that makes the cookies fluffy.
- Don’t overmix once you add the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined to keep them tender.
- Watch your bake time! Remove them when the edges are set but the centers look slightly underbaked. They will firm up as they cool.
These tips will help you get soft, delicious cookies every time! Enjoy baking your Strawberry Kiss Cookies! 🌟
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup finely crushed strawberry-flavored crisp candies or crushed freeze-dried strawberries mixed with sugar
- Coarse sanding sugar (pink or red preferred), for rolling
- Strawberry-flavored or pink chocolate kisses (shaped like lips) or regular Hershey’s Kisses wrapped in pink foil
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and around 10-12 minutes to bake. Don’t forget to let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet afterward, so the chocolate kisses have time to set perfectly! In total, you should set aside about 30-40 minutes to make these scrumptious cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking. This helps the cookies bake evenly.
2. Creaming the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to blend these together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step is super important as it makes your cookies soft and tender!
3. Adding Wet Ingredients:
Next, beat in the egg and the vanilla extract into your butter-sugar mixture until everything is well combined. Give it a mix for about 1 minute until it’s nice and smooth.
4. Mixing the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that your baking powder is evenly distributed so that the cookies rise well.
5. Combine Everything:
Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until everything is just combined to create a soft dough. Try not to overmix to keep the cookies tender!
6. Adding Strawberry Flavor:
Gently fold in the finely crushed strawberry-flavored crisp candies or the crushed freeze-dried strawberries to incorporate that delicious strawberry flavor and color. This is what gives your cookies that special twist!
7. Forming the Cookies:
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls; you can use your hands or a cookie scoop for uniform sizes! After that, roll each ball in coarse sanding sugar to coat. This adds sweetness and a lovely shimmer!
8. Baking the Cookies:
Place the rolled and sugar-coated balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each one to give them room to spread during baking. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft for that perfect chewy bite.
9. Adding the Chocolate Kisses:
Once you remove the cookies from the oven, immediately press one strawberry kiss gently into the center of each cookie. This adds that cute finishing touch!
10. Cooling Time:
Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet. This lets the kisses set and hold their shape nicely, making them even more delightful to enjoy.
11. Serve and Enjoy!
Once cooled, your Strawberry Kiss Cookies are ready to be served! They make for a charming treat and can be shared at any party or gathering—or just enjoyed at home. Happy baking!
These cookies are not only visually appealing but also a joy to eat, with a wonderful burst of strawberry flavor combined with rich chocolate. Perfect for any sweet occasion! 🍓💕
Can I Use Coconut Oil Instead of Butter?
Yes! While unsalted butter is recommended for flavor and texture, you can substitute it with an equal amount of coconut oil. Just ensure it’s solid but softened for the best results in creaming with sugar.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking!
What Can I Use Instead of Strawberry-Flavored Crisp Candies?
If you can’t find strawberry crisp candies, crushed freeze-dried strawberries mixed with a little sugar will work wonderfully, or you can use raspberry candies for a slightly different twist but still fruity flavor.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before rolling into balls and baking!
