These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are as adorable as they are delicious! Soft, chewy, and bursting with sweet strawberry flavor, each cookie is topped with a chocolate kiss for the perfect little bite. Whether you’re making them for Valentine’s Day, a baby shower, or just because, these cookies are guaranteed to brighten up your dessert table. Plus, they’re super easy to make with just a few ingredients!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: No complicated steps—just mix, bake, and top with a chocolate kiss!
- Bursting with Strawberry Flavor: A fun twist on classic blossom cookies with a fruity, sweet taste.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: These cookies are great for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or anytime you need a little pink treat.
- Soft and Chewy: The texture is just right—soft inside with a slight crisp on the outside.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delightful cookies (full list of ingredients below):
- Strawberry cake mix (yes, we’re keeping it simple!)
- Eggs for structure
- Oil to keep them moist
- Vanilla extract for an extra boost of flavor
- Powdered sugar for rolling
- Chocolate kisses for that final, perfect touch
Directions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unwrap the chocolate kisses and set them aside (you’ll need them ready as soon as the cookies come out of the oven!).
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, mix together the strawberry cake mix, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until a soft dough forms. The dough will be slightly sticky, but that’s okay!
Step 3: Shape and Roll
Scoop small portions of dough (about a tablespoon each) and roll them into balls. Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated. This helps give the cookies that pretty, crinkly look when they bake.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are set but still soft in the center.
Step 5: Add the Chocolate Kiss
As soon as you take the cookies out of the oven, press a chocolate kiss gently into the center of each one. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Chill the Dough: If your dough feels too sticky, pop it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before rolling. This makes it easier to handle.
- Don’t Overbake: The cookies should look slightly underbaked when you take them out—they’ll continue setting as they cool.
- Use Different Chocolate: Try white chocolate kisses, dark chocolate, or even caramel-filled kisses for a fun variation!
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Make It Extra Fancy: Drizzle the cookies with melted chocolate or a light glaze for an extra touch.
- Lemon Twist: Swap out the strawberry cake mix for lemon cake mix for a bright, citrusy version.
- Add Sprinkles: Roll the cookie dough in festive sprinkles instead of powdered sugar for a fun pop of color.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These cookies are perfect with a cup of coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk. They also make a great addition to dessert platters for holidays and parties. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, try serving them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unbaked dough balls (without powdered sugar) for up to 3 months. Just thaw slightly, roll in powdered sugar, and bake as usual.
- Reheating: If you want to bring back that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste, pop a cookie in the microwave for 5-10 seconds.
FAQs
1. Can I make these cookies without cake mix?
Yes! You can make a homemade strawberry cookie dough using freeze-dried strawberries and a basic cookie base. However, the cake mix makes it super easy!
2. Why do my cookies spread too much?
If your cookies are spreading too much, try chilling the dough before baking. Also, make sure you’re measuring the oil correctly—too much can make them too soft.
3. Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! Vanilla, lemon, or even chocolate cake mix would work beautifully with this recipe.
4. How do I keep the chocolate kiss from melting?
Press the chocolate kiss into the cookie as soon as they come out of the oven, but don’t touch it too much after that. It will soften but should hold its shape as the cookies cool.
Conclusion
These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are the perfect combination of sweet, soft, and chocolatey. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just treating yourself, they’re guaranteed to be a hit. So grab a box of strawberry cake mix and some chocolate kisses, and get baking—these little pink treats won’t last long!
PrintStrawberry Kiss Cookies – A Sweet and Pretty Treat
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are delightful, soft, and chewy treats that combine the sweet flavor of strawberries with a rich chocolate center. These pretty pink cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day, baby showers, or any occasion that calls for a sweet and charming dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 60 minutes chilling time)
- Cook Time: 8 minutes per batch
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 48 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) strawberry cake mix
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon strawberry extract (optional, for enhanced flavor)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- Pink sanding sugar (for rolling)
- 48 chocolate truffle Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped and frozen
Instructions
- Prepare the Kisses: Unwrap the Hershey’s Kisses and place them in a bowl in the freezer. Freezing helps them maintain their shape when pressed into the warm cookies.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, melted butter, egg, and strawberry extract (if using). Mix until a soft dough forms. Add the softened cream cheese and mix until fully incorporated.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes. Chilling makes the dough easier to handle and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Form the Cookies: Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the dough into 48 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then roll in pink sanding sugar to coat.
- Bake: Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 minutes, until the cookies are set but not browned.
- Add the Kisses: Immediately upon removing the cookies from the oven, gently press a frozen Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. The cookie may crack slightly around the edges, which is normal.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Let the chocolate set before serving or storing.
Notes
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Variations: Experiment with different cake mix flavors and Hershey’s Kiss varieties to create your own unique combinations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg