Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

There’s something utterly heartwarming about making cookies that feel like a sweet hug in every bite. Today, I’m sharing my Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe, a fun, festive twist on traditional sugar cookies that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day or anytime you’re craving that magical combination of soft dough and strawberry chocolate goodness. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to keep a batch in your kitchen all year round!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

What’s really lovely about this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is how the ingredients come together effortlessly to create a cookie that’s both pretty and delicious. Plus, the convenience of using a premade cookie mix doesn’t dull the charm at all – it actually makes the whole baking journey more fun and less stressful.

• Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix: Adds a colorful, festive touch and keeps the cookie dough easy to handle.
• Cream Cheese: The secret to that melt-in-your-mouth softness – make sure it’s softened at room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Egg: Binds everything together while adding a little richness.
• Pink or White Sanding Sugar / Non-Pareils: Creates a sugary crust that’s both pretty and adds a slight crunch.
• Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses: These fruity chocolates are the heart of the cookie, literally — adding that special strawberry-chocolate twist.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how adaptable this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is. Over the years, I’ve found little tweaks that suit different moods and occasions. Don’t be shy about making them your own — that’s part of the fun in baking!

• Variation: Once, I swapped out the strawberry Kisses for classic milk chocolate ones and threw in a few crushed nuts on top — loved the added texture!
• Dietary Modifications: If dairy’s a concern, you might experiment with cream cheese alternatives or a vegan-friendly sugar cookie mix — just watch your baking time.
• Seasonal Changes: Around Christmas, I sometimes use red or green sanding sugar for a holiday vibe that still keeps that gorgeous, melt-in-the-mouth texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Workspace

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper — this helps the cookies bake evenly without sticking. I like to get all my ingredients measured and ready so I’m not scrambling mid-mix. Trust me, multitasking with sticky dough isn’t fun.

Step 2: Mix Your Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the Funfetti sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and the egg. I usually use my hands or a sturdy spoon to blend it until a soft dough forms — it should be moist and a little sticky, but hold together well. Avoid over-mixing here to keep the dough tender.

Step 3: Sugar Coat Your Cookies

Pour your pink or white sanding sugar (or non-pareils) into a shallow bowl. Using a 1½ tablespoon scoop, portion out dough balls, then roll each ball in the sugar until fully coated. This step adds such a pretty sparkle and subtle texture that makes your cookies pop visually and deliciously.

Step 4: Chill If You Need To

If your dough feels too sticky to handle, don’t fret — pop it in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes. I’ve done this a ton and it really helps the dough firm up, making the rolling and shaping way easier without drying them out.

Step 5: Bake and Kiss

Place your sugar-coated dough balls about 1½ inches apart on the baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes until the edges set but centers are still soft — you want that slight softness to keep the cookie tender. Once out of the oven, cool for 3-5 minutes before gently pressing a Hershey’s Strawberry Kiss right into the center of each cookie.

Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple and elegant. After baking, sometimes I’ll dust the cookies with a little powdered sugar for extra sweetness and a delicate finish. A few edible rose petals or small fresh strawberries on the side also add a romantic touch when serving to guests.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of tea, a creamy latte, or even a glass of cold milk. For special occasions, I like to serve them alongside a fresh berry salad or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream – it makes the dessert plate pop and balances the sugary richness.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged these cookies in a heart shape on a platter lined with rose petals — it was a big hit at a Galentine’s Day party! You can also pop them into cute pastel muffin liners or tie a small bundle with ribbon for adorable cookie gifts that say, “I baked this just for you.”

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover Strawberry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature — they stay soft and delicious for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to extend their life, placing a slice of bread in the container helps keep them moist overnight (weird trick, but true!).

Freezing

I love freezing the unbaked dough balls, rolled in sugar, spaced out on a tray. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a zip-top bag. Whenever cookie cravings hit, bake them straight from frozen adding a couple minutes to the baking time. It’s a total game-changer for spontaneous sweetness.

Reheating

To enjoy leftover cookies warm, I pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or a warm oven for a few minutes. Just warm enough to soften the chocolate center without melting the Kiss too much — it revives that fresh-from-the-oven magic perfectly.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is one of those rare delights that feels both special and perfectly approachable. I love how it brings a little sparkle and sweetness to any day, with minimal fuss but maximum love. Next time you’re craving something soft, fruity, and with that cute chocolate kiss on top, give this recipe a try — I promise it’ll make your kitchen smell amazing and your heart a little lighter.

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