Strawberry Kiss Cookies are an irresistible dessert that combines the sweet flavor of strawberry cake mix with a rich, chocolatey Hershey Kiss in the center. These soft, chewy cookies are perfect for any occasion, especially for Valentine’s Day, and are incredibly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re looking to bake with family or surprise someone with a thoughtful homemade treat, this recipe offers a delightful twist on the classic peanut butter blossom cookie.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are an absolute crowd-pleaser. They are quick to prepare, requiring only about 18 minutes from start to finish, including the chilling time for the dough. The combination of strawberry and chocolate offers a perfect balance of sweet, fruity, and creamy flavors. Whether you’re hosting a Valentine’s Day celebration or just craving something delicious, these cookies are sure to impress!
Ingredients for Strawberry Kiss Cookies
These cookies are incredibly simple to make and require just a few ingredients you may already have in your pantry. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients:
- Strawberry cake mix: The base of these cookies, providing a soft texture and sweet strawberry flavor.
- All-purpose flour: Adds structure to the dough, helping to create the right consistency for the cookies.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies moist and tender.
- Eggs: Help bind the ingredients together and add richness to the dough.
- Milk: Ensures the dough has the right texture, making it easier to scoop and form into balls.
- Granulated sugar: Used for rolling the cookie dough balls, giving them a sweet, slightly crispy exterior.
- Hershey Kisses: The star of the show, adding a chocolatey burst in the center of each cookie.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
If you don’t have all the ingredients or need to make adjustments for dietary preferences, here are some alternative suggestions:
- Cake mix: You can swap the strawberry cake mix for any other flavor, such as red velvet, lemon, or even chocolate for a fun twist.
- Milk: For a dairy-free option, use almond milk or coconut milk instead of regular milk.
- Eggs: Replace eggs with a flaxseed mixture (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water) for a vegan alternative.
- Chocolate kisses: If you’re not a fan of Hershey Kisses, feel free to swap them with chocolate hearts, Brach’s chocolate stars, or even Dove chocolates.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these easy steps to make your Strawberry Kiss Cookies:
- Preheat your oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the vegetable oil and eggs. Stir them together until fully incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients: Slowly mix in the all-purpose flour and strawberry cake mix. Be sure to mix gently to avoid overworking the dough.
- Form the dough: Add in the tablespoon of milk and continue mixing until a cookie dough forms. The dough should be thick but pliable.
- Scoop the dough: Using a cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), portion out the dough and roll each scoop into a ball.
- Roll in sugar: Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar to give them a sweet, crisp exterior.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. This step helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Bake: Once chilled, place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, keeping an eye on them to ensure they don’t overcook.
- Add the Hershey Kiss: Immediately after baking, press a Hershey Kiss into the center of each cookie, gently pushing it down so it nestles into the dough.
- Cool and store: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Tips & Tricks
To make sure your Strawberry Kiss Cookies turn out perfectly, here are a few helpful tips:
- Chill the dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! It prevents the cookies from spreading too thin and helps maintain their shape.
- Check doneness: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. They should look slightly firm around the edges but still soft in the middle.
- Don’t overmix: When adding the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
- Press gently: When adding the Hershey Kiss, press gently enough to get it to nestle into the cookie but not so hard that the cookie cracks.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are delicious on their own, but you can make them even more special by pairing them with the following ideas:
- Pair with a milkshake: Serve your cookies alongside a vanilla or strawberry milkshake for a fun, nostalgic treat.
- Top with whipped cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream on top of these cookies makes for a decadent dessert experience.
- Make it spicy: Add a dash of cinnamon or cayenne pepper to the dough for a spicy-sweet variation.
If you want to make these cookies in advance, simply store them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week or can be frozen for longer storage.
Seasonal and Fun Variations
These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are especially great for Valentine’s Day, but they can also be customized for other holidays. Swap the strawberry cake mix for a red velvet mix for Christmas or even Easter. The Hershey Kiss can be replaced with themed chocolates such as heart-shaped ones for more festive fun!
Conclusion
In conclusion, Strawberry Kiss Cookies are the perfect combination of sweet, soft, and chewy with a delicious chocolatey surprise in the center. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion like Valentine’s Day or just want to indulge in a sweet treat, these cookies are sure to please everyone. With their easy preparation, simple ingredients, and delightful flavor, they are a fun and festive way to spread joy. So, roll up your sleeves, get baking, and enjoy these irresistible strawberry and chocolate treats with family and friends!
FAQ About Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Can I use a different cake mix flavor for Strawberry Kiss Cookies?
Yes! While the recipe calls for strawberry cake mix, you can easily swap it out for other flavors such as red velvet, lemon, or chocolate. Each variation will give your cookies a new twist, while still maintaining the basic structure of the recipe.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking?
To prevent your Strawberry Kiss Cookies from spreading too much during baking, make sure to chill the dough for at least 1 hour. This helps the dough firm up and reduces spreading. Additionally, using a cookie scoop ensures uniform size and shape for even baking.
Can I make Strawberry Kiss Cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the cookie dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. If you’re planning to store them for a longer period, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just allow the dough to thaw before rolling and baking.
More Relevant Recipes
Print
Strawberry Kiss Cookies
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 22 cookies 1x
Description
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are a delightful treat made with strawberry cake mix and Hershey Kisses. They offer a perfect balance of sweet, soft, and chewy cookie texture with a chocolate surprise in the center. Easy to make and great for any occasion, especially Valentine’s Day!
Ingredients
- 1 box strawberry cake mix
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Granulated sugar (for rolling)
- Hershey Kisses
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix the vegetable oil and eggs together in a large bowl until combined.
- Slowly add the all-purpose flour and strawberry cake mix to the wet ingredients. Stir until the dough begins to form.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of milk to make the dough easier to handle.
- Use a cookie scoop or 2 tablespoons to form the dough into balls.
- Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar for a sweet, crispy exterior.
- Cover the dough and chill for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator to prevent spreading during baking.
- Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, watching carefully to avoid overbaking.
- As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, press a Hershey Kiss gently into the center of each cookie.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chill the dough for at least 1 hour to prevent the cookies from spreading too thin.
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform-sized cookies to ensure even baking.
- Try swapping the strawberry cake mix for other flavors like red velvet or chocolate for a fun twist.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 113 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 138mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
