Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a truly delightful treat that’s bursting with flavor and has that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture, you’re in the right place. I absolutely love this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe because it’s quick, requires just a few simple ingredients, and always impresses everyone who tries it. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a party, or just because, these cookies bring that perfect balance of sweet strawberry goodness with a chocolatey finish that feels like a hug in cookie form. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through everything so your batch turns out just right.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully to create a cookie that’s sweet, slightly tangy from the cream cheese, and bursting with strawberry flavor. I recommend using a good quality strawberry cake mix for the best flavor, and the key is to have your cream cheese softened for easy mixing.

• Strawberry cake mix: This is the foundation of the recipe—grab your favorite box, and don’t skip it! It delivers that strawberry punch and sweetness.
• Butter: Melted and cooled is best to mix smoothly; it adds richness and helps with texture.
• Egg: Just one binds everything together perfectly for a soft dough.
• Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese gives the cookies their tender crumb and slight tang, which balances the sweetness beautifully.
• Powdered or pink granulated sugar (optional): Rolling the cookie dough in sugar before baking gives a delicate sweetness and pretty finish.
• Chocolate Hershey’s Kisses: The star on top—adding these just after baking gives a melty, chocolatey surprise that makes each bite divine.

Variations

I love how this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe feels like a blank canvas—you can easily customize it depending on what you have or want to try. Feel free to experiment; the basic method is pretty forgiving.

• Add-ins: Sometimes I sneak in a handful of white chocolate chips or chopped freeze-dried strawberries for extra texture and flavor.
• Diet-friendly swaps: Use dairy-free cream cheese and vegan butter to make these suitable for those with dietary restrictions; they turn out just as tasty!
• Flavor twist: Sprinkle some lemon zest into the dough for a bright contrast that pairs surprisingly well with strawberry.
• Decorative sugars: Rolling the dough in different colored sugars can match holiday themes or parties.

How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Base Ingredients

Start by combining your strawberry cake mix, melted butter that’s had a chance to cool just a bit (too hot and it’ll cook the eggs!), and one large egg in a large mixing bowl. Stir these together until you get a smooth, thick batter. I like to use a spatula here to really scrape the sides so nothing goes to waste. This step is quick, but you’ll notice the dough starts to thicken nicely, which is exactly what you want.

Step 2: Incorporate the Cream Cheese

Now, add the softened cream cheese to that mix and blend it in completely. The dough will get even thicker and creamier at this stage. It might feel a little sticky—that’s totally normal! I discovered this trick makes the cookies so soft and slightly tangy, which gives them a little bit of character beyond a typical cake mix cookie.

Step 3: Chill Your Dough

Cover the bowl and pop it into the fridge for at least an hour. This step is key because it’s what keeps your cookies from spreading too much while baking. I won’t lie, waiting is the hardest part — but trust me, it’s worth it. The dough firms up nicely, making it easier to scoop and giving you those perfectly thick cookies that feel like a little gift.

Step 4: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheet

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. If you don’t have parchment, a silicone baking mat works great too.

Step 5: Shape and Sugar-Coat the Cookies

Scoop tablespoon-sized balls from the chilled dough—you can use a cookie scoop to keep them uniform or just eyeball it if you prefer a rustic look. If you’re feeling fancy (or festive), roll the balls in powdered sugar or pink sugar. This not only adds a little extra sweetness but also creates a beautiful crackled texture as they bake.

Step 6: Bake, Press the Kiss, and Cool

Pop those cookies in the oven for 8-10 minutes, keeping an eye on them. You’re aiming for the edges to look set while the centers stay soft. As soon as they come out of the oven, let them rest for 1-2 minutes—this short wait is essential so the cookie is firm enough to handle. Then, gently press a chocolate Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. You’ll notice the cookie might crack a bit — don’t worry, that’s part of their charm! Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely and set.

How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep the garnishes simple because these cookies shine on their own, but if you want to dress them up, a light dusting of powdered sugar or even a sprinkle of edible glitter can make them sparkle for special occasions. Fresh strawberry slices alongside on the serving plate also add a fresh vibe and pair beautifully.

Side Dishes

These cookies go great with a cup of hot tea or coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up. I also like serving them with vanilla ice cream if I want to take dessert up a notch or during summer picnics for that sweet ending.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite ways to present these cookies at parties is arranging them in a pretty circle on a cake stand, placing fresh berries and mint leaves interspersed between. For Valentine’s Day, I swap out the Hershey’s Kisses for red or pink foil-wrapped kisses, and the cookies look adorable wrapped in cellophane with a little ribbon.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they stay fresh and soft for up to three days. Just be sure the container is sealed well—I learned the hard way that they can dry out if air sneaks in.

Freezing

If I want to make these ahead well in advance, I freeze the unbaked dough balls. I line them on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When I’m ready, I bake the balls straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time. It’s a game changer for last-minute sweets!

Reheating

Leftover cookies warm up wonderfully in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes, just enough to revive that soft texture and warm the chocolate Kiss slightly. I don’t recommend microwaving because it can make them chewy or melt the chocolate too much.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe has become one of my go-to desserts when I want to whip something up quickly that feels extra special. The combination of the fruity strawberry base with that melty chocolate kiss on top never fails to bring smiles. I hope you have as much fun making (and eating!) these as my family and I do. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite cookie!

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