Cherry Kiss Cookies combine the delightful flavors of maraschino cherries and rich milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses to create a unique, melt-in-your-mouth cookie. With their lovely pink hue and irresistible taste, these cookies are perfect for any holiday or special occasion, like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or a baby shower. However, they’re so delicious that you’ll find yourself making them year-round for everyday snacking.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Cherry Kiss Cookies
This recipe for Cherry Kiss Cookies is more than just a treat—it’s a showstopper! With its vibrant pink color and delightful cherry-chocolate combination, this dessert is sure to impress. The soft, tender texture of the shortbread-like cookies, enhanced by maraschino cherries and a touch of almond extract, creates a unique flavor profile that pairs perfectly with the milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses. This cherry-chocolate duo is simply irresistible.
Ingredients for Cherry Kiss Cookies
To make these delicious Cherry Kiss Cookies, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:
- Unsalted butter: Provides a rich, creamy texture for the cookies.
- Confectioners’ sugar: Adds to the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture of the shortbread cookies.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor.
- Maraschino cherry juice: Adds that signature cherry flavor to the dough.
- Almond extract: Complements the cherry flavor and adds depth to the overall taste.
- All-purpose flour: The base for the dough that gives structure to the cookies.
- Chopped maraschino cherries: These little chunks of cherries create bursts of flavor in every bite.
- Red food coloring (optional): Enhances the beautiful pink hue of the cookies.
- Hershey’s Kisses: The perfect chocolatey finish to each cookie.
Alternative Ingredients for Cherry Kiss Cookies
If you’re looking to make some substitutions or need alternatives, here are a few options:
- Dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses: If you prefer a richer, less sweet chocolate taste, dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses can be used instead of milk chocolate.
- Gluten-free flour: To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Cherry extract: If you can’t find maraschino cherries, try using cherry extract for a similar flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Cherry Kiss Cookies
Making Cherry Kiss Cookies is simple and enjoyable. Follow these steps to create your delicious batch:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt until smooth and creamy. This should take about 2 minutes on medium speed.
- Add in the maraschino cherry juice, almond extract, and red food coloring (if using). Mix until everything is well incorporated.
- Gradually beat in the chopped maraschino cherries.
- Slowly add the all-purpose flour, beating on low speed until just combined.
- Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls, using about 1½ tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the bottoms begin to turn light golden brown.
- Once the cookies are out of the oven, immediately place an unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss in the center of each cookie, pressing down slightly.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Cherry Kiss Cookies
Here are some helpful tips to ensure your Cherry Kiss Cookies turn out perfectly:
- Avoid Overworking the Dough: When mixing the flour into the dough, avoid overmixing. Overworking the dough can result in tough cookies.
- Don’t Touch the Kisses Until Cool: After placing the Hershey’s Kisses on the warm cookies, let them cool completely before touching. If you press on them too early, they may lose their shape.
- Chill the Dough: If you want to make the process even easier, you can chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent spreading during baking.
Pairing Ideas and Variations for Cherry Kiss Cookies
Cherry Kiss Cookies are versatile and pair wonderfully with many beverages and other treats. Consider these pairing suggestions:
- Serve them alongside a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of hot chocolate for the ultimate treat.
- For a festive twist, pair them with a holiday-themed cocktail or a fruity mocktail.
- If you’re making them for a special event like a baby shower or birthday party, try placing the cookies in cute gift boxes or bags as party favors.
How to Store and Freeze Cherry Kiss Cookies
Cherry Kiss Cookies store well and can be enjoyed for days after baking. Here’s how to store them:
- Room Temperature: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Freezing the Dough: To make ahead, freeze the dough before baking. Roll the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze. Once frozen, store the dough balls in a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the dough in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: If you prefer to freeze baked cookies, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw them at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
Cherry Kiss Cookies offer a unique twist on the classic cookie and are perfect for any occasion. Their combination of sweet cherry flavor, creamy shortbread texture, and rich chocolate topping makes them an irresistible treat. Try this easy-to-follow recipe, and enjoy a batch of these delightful cookies with your family and friends!
Conclusion: Why Cherry Kiss Cookies Are a Must-Try
Cherry Kiss Cookies are the perfect combination of rich chocolate and sweet cherry flavors, topped with a classic Hershey’s Kiss for an extra touch of indulgence. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just looking for a sweet treat to enjoy with your family, these cookies are sure to impress. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and beautiful pink hue, Cherry Kiss Cookies are not only delicious but visually stunning, making them an excellent addition to any holiday cookie tray or celebration. Simple to make, with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, they’re a dessert everyone will love.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Kiss Cookies
Can I use dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses for milk chocolate if you prefer a richer flavor. However, the classic milk chocolate Kisses tend to pair best with the sweet cherry flavor for a balanced taste.
Do I need to use red food coloring to make Cherry Kiss Cookies?
Red food coloring is optional. If you want a more vibrant pink color, a few drops of food coloring can enhance the cookie’s hue. However, maraschino cherry juice alone will give you a subtle pink color without the need for added dye.
Can Cherry Kiss Cookies be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and freeze it. Roll the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, just thaw the dough and follow the baking instructions.
More Relevant Recipes
Print
Cherry Kiss Cookies
- Total Time: 39 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
Description
Cherry Kiss Cookies are a delightful treat made with tender shortbread dough, maraschino cherries, and topped with Hershey’s Kisses. They feature a perfect balance of cherry and chocolate flavors, making them ideal for any occasion, from Christmas to Valentine’s Day or simply for a sweet everyday snack. These cookies are easy to make and have a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons maraschino cherry juice
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 6 drops red food coloring (optional)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup chopped maraschino cherries
- About 30 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt until smooth and creamy. This should take about 2 minutes on medium speed.
- Add in the maraschino cherry juice, almond extract, and red food coloring (if using). Mix until everything is well incorporated.
- Gradually beat in the chopped maraschino cherries.
- Slowly add the all-purpose flour, beating on low speed until just combined.
- Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls, using about 1½ tablespoons of dough for each cookie. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the bottoms begin to turn light golden brown.
- Once the cookies are out of the oven, immediately place an unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss in the center of each cookie, pressing down slightly.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
- If you’d like a more vibrant pink color, feel free to add more red food coloring.
- You can freeze the dough before baking. Roll it into balls and freeze on a baking sheet before storing in a zip-top bag.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses or Hershey’s Hugs for milk chocolate.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
