Green Hershey’s Kiss Cookie Cups Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun, festive, and downright delicious treat to brighten up your dessert table, you’re going to love this Green Hershey’s Kiss Cookie Cups Recipe. These little bundles combine the joy of sugar cookies with the surprise of melty chocolate inside—and that stunning green color makes them perfect for holidays like Christmas or St. Patrick’s Day. Stick around because I’m sharing all my tips to help you nail this recipe, making you look like a dessert pro in no time.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Green Hershey’s Kiss Cookie Cups Recipe come together to create a simple yet show-stopping treat. Using a sugar cookie mix cuts down prep time, while the extra flour helps give the dough the perfect thickness for wrapping around the chocolate. And let’s talk about the green gel food coloring — it’s much more vibrant and less watery than liquid food coloring, so your cookie cups get that festive pop of color without weakening the dough.

• Sugar cookie mix: The base for our cookies, simplifies the process and guarantees consistency every time.
• All-purpose flour: Adds extra structure so the dough stays thick enough to hug the Hershey’s Kiss snugly.
• Unsalted butter: Makes the dough rich and tender; room temperature butter is essential for easy mixing.
• Large egg: Binds everything together and, when mixed with the green gel food coloring, ensures even color.
• Green gel food coloring: Provides that iconic green tone without altering the dough’s texture.
• Hershey’s kisses (unwrapped): The sweet chocolate surprise inside each cookie cup that everyone loves.
• Large heart candy sprinkles: The finishing touch that adds charm and a pop of color on top.

Tweak to Your Taste

While the classic Green Hershey’s Kiss Cookie Cups Recipe is wonderful as is, I love how easy it is to customize. Sometimes I swap out the green gel for red to make a Valentine’s-themed version, or even try peppermint-flavored candies inside for a festive twist. You can totally make these your own!

• Variation: I once replaced the sugar cookie mix with a homemade gingerbread dough for a spicy touch, and it was a hit with family during the holidays.
• Dietary swaps: If you want gluten-free, just swap the sugar cookie mix and flour for gluten-free versions—just check the baking time.
• Seasonal colors: Change the gel food coloring to match the holiday—orange and black for Halloween, pastels for Easter—it works beautifully.
• Extra flavor: Add a teaspoon of almond or vanilla extract to the dough for a subtle but lovely flavor lift.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Green Hershey’s Kiss Cookie Cups Recipe

Step 1: Getting Ready & Coloring

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lightly greasing a mini muffin pan with baking spray or lining it with paper cups. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and green gel food coloring really well—this step is key because it spreads the color evenly so you don’t end up with streaky or patchy green dough.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, add your sugar cookie mix, all-purpose flour, and room-temperature butter. Using a handheld mixer on low speed, slowly add the egg and green coloring mixture. Keep mixing for about 2-3 minutes until you get a thick, uniform dough. It will be dense but that’s exactly what you want here—it helps the cookie cups hold their shape.

Step 3: Form the Cookie Cups

Grab about 1½ tablespoons of dough (I use a cookie scoop) and flatten it in your hand into roughly a 3-inch disc. Place a Hershey’s Kiss, pointing upright, in the center, then gently pull the dough sides around it, sealing the chocolate inside. Make sure it stays upright when you place it in the muffin tin—that little detail makes all the difference!

Step 4: Bake and Decorate

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes—but watch closely! You want the dough baked through but not browned. Right after taking them out of the oven, press one large heart candy sprinkle onto the side—not center!—of each cookie cup for a charming “Grinch” look. Let them cool for at least 10 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to Serve Green Hershey’s Kiss Cookie Cups Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping each cookie cup with a heart candy sprinkle—it adds a little charm and personality. But you can also dust them lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle some white chocolate over the top for extra flair. If you’re feeling festive, crushed candy canes sprinkled on top add a nice crunch and peppermint zing!

Side Dishes

These cookie cups shine as a stand-alone dessert, but they pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a party spread, set them alongside hot chocolate or a festive coffee bar for an irresistible combo that will have guests coming back for more.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I’ve arranged these cookie cups on a festive platter lined with fresh evergreen sprigs or colorful napkins. Wrapping each one in clear mini treat bags tied with a ribbon makes for adorable party favors. And on Valentine’s Day, swapping the green for red and heart sprinkles just makes everyone swoon!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store any leftover cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for about 3 days—perfect for snacking during the week! If you live somewhere warm, I recommend popping them in the fridge to prevent the chocolate from melting.

Freezing

These cookie cups freeze beautifully. I wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then put them in a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, just let them thaw at room temperature for about an hour, and they taste almost as fresh as the day they were baked.

Reheating

If you want to warm them up, I gently heat them in the microwave for 10-second bursts just until the chocolate softens again. Avoid overheating or your cookies can get dry. Reheating brings back that gooey center and fresh-baked vibe that everyone loves.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Green Hershey’s Kiss Cookie Cups Recipe has become one of my go-to festive treats—not only because it’s fun to make, but because it always brings smiles. There’s something truly special about hiding that melty chocolate surprise right inside a cookie that’s dressed up in bright green. I’m excited for you to give it a try and put your own spin on it. Whether you’re baking for kids, a holiday party, or just because, these cookie cups are sure to become a favorite in your recipe box, too!

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