Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

If you have a soft spot for all things fruity and chocolatey, you’re going to love this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe. These cookies are a delightful treat that balance the sweet tang of strawberry cake mix with a luscious cream cheese texture, all crowned by a melty chocolate kiss on top. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll quickly become a go-to favorite for both casual afternoons and festive occasions alike.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe uses a strawberry cake mix as a fun shortcut to bring in that bold berry flavor, balanced nicely with butter and cream cheese for the perfect cookie dough. Picking quality ingredients will ensure your cookies turn out just right, so here’s a bit about what I use.

• Strawberry cake mix: This is the flavor base—choose a good quality brand for the best strawberry taste.
• Butter: Melted and slightly cooled butter adds richness and helps bind the dough without making it greasy.
• Egg: Provides structure and moisture for chewy cookies.
• Cream cheese: Softened and fully incorporated, this keeps the cookies tender and gives them a slight tang that pairs beautifully with the strawberry flavor.
• Chocolate Hershey’s Kisses: These are the fun finishing touch—unwrapped and pressed gently into the cookies after baking.
• Optional sugars: Powdered or pink granulated sugar to roll the dough in for a pretty sparkle and extra sweetness.

Variations

I love that this recipe is forgiving and flexible—you can tweak it to suit your taste or dietary needs. I often experiment with different toppings and mix-ins, and you might find some favorites of your own along the way.

• Variation: For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped pecans or almonds on top before adding the chocolate kiss. I tried this with my sister once, and she couldn’t get enough of the added crunch!
• Variation: To make these gluten-free, just grab your favorite gluten-free strawberry cake mix—the cookies turn out just as gorgeous and delicious.
• Variation: If you want to amp up the strawberry flavor even more, I like folding mini freeze-dried strawberries into the dough before chilling.
• Variation: Swap out Hershey’s Kisses for white chocolate or caramel-filled ones for a fun surprise in each bite.

How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Base Ingredients

Start by combining the strawberry cake mix, melted butter (make sure it’s cooled a bit so it doesn’t scramble the eggs), and the egg in a large bowl. I usually use a hand mixer here to get everything smoothed out quickly. You’ll have a soft, almost cake-like batter at this point, which is delicious but still missing one key thing.

Step 2: Add Cream Cheese for That Perfect Texture

Next, toss in the softened cream cheese and mix again until it’s thick and fully incorporated. This is where the dough really comes alive—it thickens up beautifully, and you’ll notice how the cream cheese promises that melt-in-your-mouth softness I’m always chasing with cookies.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Cover and refrigerate your dough for at least an hour. This step is absolutely crucial because it helps the dough firm up, making it way easier to handle and preventing your cookies from spreading too much in the oven. I always try to chill it longer if I have the time—it makes a noticeable difference.

Step 4: Prepare to Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This keeps the cookies from sticking and gives you a smooth surface for baking. Using parchment also makes clean-up so much easier—I’m all about that!

Step 5: Shape and Sugar-Coat the Cookies

Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll them in either powdered sugar or pink granulated sugar if you want an extra sweet sparkle. If you prefer, you can bake without the sugar coating, and they’ll still taste fantastic. I like how the sugar adds a little texture and pretty finish.

Step 6: Bake and Add the Chocolate Kiss

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers still look soft. This ensures your cookies stay tender and don’t dry out. Right after you pull them from the oven, gently press an unwrapped chocolate Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. You’ll notice the dough cracks a bit—don’t worry, that’s totally normal and adds charm!

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Transfer your cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. I find letting them cool fully helps the chocolate set nicely and the flavors to come together. Plus, they’re easier to handle this way when serving or storing.

How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I often sprinkle a pinch of extra pink sugar or edible glitter right after adding the chocolate kiss for a little sparkle, especially if I’m making these for kids or parties. A light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving also adds a pretty, delicate finish.

Side Dishes

This cookie pairs beautifully with fresh strawberries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra special treat. I also love serving it alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of hot tea for a cozy snack break.

Creative Ways to Present

For Valentine’s Day or birthdays, I arrange these cookies on a pretty platter with fresh strawberry slices and small bowls of chocolate or whipped cream on the side—turns it into a fun DIY dessert station. Wrapping a few in cellophane tied with a pink ribbon also makes adorable edible gifts your friends and family will adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Strawberry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and usually they’re good for about 3 days. If they’ve started softening a bit, popping them in a sealed bag does the trick to keep them fresh a little longer.

Freezing

These cookies freeze perfectly if you want to make a big batch ahead of time. I freeze them without the chocolate kisses, then add those fresh right after thawing and warming. The texture stays spot-on, and it’s easy to enjoy them anytime.

Reheating

When reheating, I gently warm the cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 minutes. This refreshes their soft texture and melts the chocolate kiss just right, making them taste freshly baked again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe brings together the sweet freshness of strawberries with that gooey chocolate kiss surprise. When I first tried making them, I was hooked on how easy they were and how perfect they turned out every single time. Honestly, whether you’re baking for your family, a party, or just because you need a sweet pick-me-up, these cookies will deliver that comforting, delightful experience you’re looking for. So go ahead, give them a try—you won’t regret it!

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