If you’re craving a cookie that feels like a sweet hug combined with a little fruity magic, then you’re going to love this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe. These cookies are light, tender, and beautifully pink with the best surprise inside—a melty, smooth chocolate kiss. I discovered this recipe on a whim and it quickly became one of my go-tos when I want a treat that’s easy to whip up but still feels special. Stick with me and I’ll share everything to make these your new favorite cookies, too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of these on hand, making it a breeze to bake anytime.
- Perfect Texture: Cream cheese and cake mix combine to keep these cookies soft and slightly chewy, never dry.
- Showstopper Presentation: That chocolate Hershey’s Kiss pressed right on top means every bite has a melty surprise.
- Family Favorite: My kids and guests go crazy for these, and I bet yours will too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients here mix simplicity and a touch of decadence — the strawberry cake mix gives that bright fruity flavor, while the cream cheese adds richness and ensures the cookies stay soft. Picking good quality butter and ripe cream cheese really makes a difference in flavor.
- Strawberry Cake Mix: Use a good-quality boxed cake mix with real strawberry flavor for the best results.
- Butter: Melted and slightly cooled; this helps bring the dough together and adds richness.
- Egg: Binds everything together perfectly.
- Cream Cheese: Softened to blend smoothly, it adds moisture and a slight tang that balances sweetness.
- Powdered Sugar or Pink Granulated Sugar (Optional): Rolling the dough balls in sugar before baking gives a subtle crackle and extra sparkle.
- Chocolate Hershey’s Kisses: Classic milk chocolate kisses work beautifully here, but feel free to experiment with flavored ones for fun twists.
Variations
I love how versatile this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe can be, so don’t hesitate to personalize it! Here are some ways I’ve played around with this recipe that you might enjoy:
- Add a Nutty Twist: I sometimes sprinkle chopped pistachios or almonds on top of the kisses before they cool for extra crunch and flavor contrast.
- Dairy-Free Version: Swap regular butter with a dairy-free alternative and use your favorite vegan cream cheese to make these suitable for dairy-free diets.
- Chocolate Variety: Try white chocolate or strawberry-flavored kisses to amp up the strawberry vibe or shake things up with dark chocolate for a richer bite.
- Decorating Fun: Roll the dough balls in colored sanding sugar for festive occasions like Valentine’s Day or birthday parties.
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix Up the Base Dough
Start by combining your strawberry cake mix, melted butter, and the egg in a large bowl. Stir until everything is smooth and evenly combined—this forms a soft dough that’s just begging to turn into cookies. I like to use a hand mixer here to make it extra smooth, but a sturdy spoon works just fine too. Avoid overmixing after adding the egg so your cookies don’t turn tough.
Step 2: Incorporate the Cream Cheese
Next, add in the softened cream cheese and mix again until the dough is thick and creamy. This is the secret to those perfectly tender, moist cookies. If your cream cheese is too cold, it won’t blend well, so make sure it’s at room temperature for this step.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Cover your dough and pop it in the fridge for at least one hour. This chilling step is a game changer because it firms up the dough, which helps keep the cookies from spreading too thin in the oven. Trust me, the wait is worth it!
Step 4: Prepare and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—that helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough, then roll them in powdered sugar or pink granulated sugar for a pretty, crackled look, or leave them plain if you prefer. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes; the edges should look set but the centers can still appear soft—this is perfect. Overbaking will dry them out.
Step 5: Add the Chocolate Kiss Magic
Right after you pull the cookies out of the oven, gently press a chocolate Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. They’ll crack a little—that’s normal and part of their charm! Then, transfer cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely so the chocolate can firm up just right.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese Matters: I learned that letting cream cheese soften fully makes the dough smoother and prevents lumps.
- Don’t Skip the Chill: Refrigerating the dough prevents your cookies from spreading too thin, resulting in thick, bakery-style cookies.
- Sugar Coating for Texture: Rolling your dough balls in sugar before baking gives a gorgeous crackly finish and a bit of sparkle.
- Add Kisses While Warm: Press the chocolate kisses in immediately when the cookies come out of the oven for a perfect melty center without ruining the shape.
How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling a tiny pinch of coarse pink sanding sugar on the cooled cookies for a little extra sparkle—it makes them look festive and inviting. You can also add a light dusting of powdered sugar if you want a classic snowy look that pairs beautifully with the pink cookie base.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a simple cold glass of milk or a cup of hot tea or coffee. For a party, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit platters—think strawberries and cream or a berry medley—to complement the strawberry flavor without overwhelming your palate.
Creative Ways to Present
For Valentine’s Day or a bridal shower, I’ve arranged these cookies in a heart shape on a pretty platter with fresh rose petals around. Another fun idea is stacking them like mini towers held together with pastel-colored ribbons for a charming gift box effect. Presentation makes dessert feel extra special, especially for a crowd.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Strawberry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they usually last beautifully for about 3 days. Keeping them sealed is key to maintaining that soft texture without drying out, especially once the chocolate adds moisture.
Freezing
If I want to save these longer, I freeze the baked cookies (before pressing the kisses on them) on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When I’m ready to enjoy, I pop them in the oven for a few minutes before adding the kiss on top, so they stay as fresh as possible.
Reheating
To bring leftover cookies back to life, I heat them in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 3-4 minutes. The chocolate regains its melty charm and the cookie softens up nicely, almost like fresh-baked again.
FAQs
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Can I use a different flavor of cake mix for this recipe?
Absolutely! While strawberry cake mix gives a lovely fruity base, I’ve tried raspberry and even vanilla cake mixes with great success. You can pair flavored kisses accordingly—for example, white chocolate for vanilla—to keep flavors balanced.
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What if my dough is too sticky to handle?
If the dough feels too sticky, chilling it longer usually helps. You can also lightly flour your hands or use a cookie scoop to portion the dough so it’s easier to roll into balls without sticking everywhere.
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Can I make these cookies vegan?
You can try substituting vegan butter and a dairy-free cream cheese, plus egg replacers like flax eggs to make this recipe vegan-friendly. However, results may vary, so I recommend testing a small batch first.
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Why do my cookies crack when I add the chocolate kiss?
A little cracking is totally normal because the dough is soft and warm when you press the kiss in. It actually creates a charming, rustic look. Press gently and soon the cookies will firm up as they cool.
Final Thoughts
The first time I made this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe, I didn’t expect it to be such a hit, but my family and friends couldn’t stop raving about them. They’re quick enough to throw together on a whim yet feel like an indulgent treat that anyone would be thrilled to get. If you want a cookie that’s soft, fruity, chocolaty, and full of warmth, this is it. I really hope you give it a try—you won’t regret it!
Print
Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are soft, moist, and irresistibly sweet treats made from strawberry cake mix, butter, egg, and cream cheese, baked to perfection and topped with a classic chocolate Hershey’s Kiss. These delightful cookies combine the tangy flavor of cream cheese with a fruity strawberry base, creating a perfect balance of flavors for any occasion or holiday celebration.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) strawberry cake mix
- 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 large egg
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
Topping (Optional)
- Powdered sugar or pink granulated sugar, for rolling
- 30 chocolate Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Stir together until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Add cream cheese: Incorporate the softened cream cheese into the batter by mixing until the dough thickens and the cream cheese is fully blended in, creating a cohesive dough.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading during baking and maintain cookie thickness.
- Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Form the cookies: Scoop the chilled dough into tablespoon-sized balls using a spoon or cookie scoop for consistent sizing.
- Roll in sugar (optional): If desired, roll each dough ball in powdered sugar or pink granulated sugar to add a sweet, decorative coating; alternatively, place them plain on the baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies: Place the cookie balls on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are just set and the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked for a tender texture.
- Add the chocolate kiss: Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest for 1 to 2 minutes so they firm up slightly. Then, gently press an unwrapped chocolate Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie, creating a classic centerpiece.
- Cool completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool thoroughly before serving or storing. Cooling allows the cookies to firm up and the chocolate kiss to set properly.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent cookies from spreading too much and to achieve a thick, chewy texture.
- Light cracking around the chocolate kiss is normal and adds to the homemade charm.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
