Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies Recipe That Melts In Your Mouth

Decadent hershey kiss chocolate cookies represent pure sweet satisfaction for chocolate enthusiasts everywhere.

Chocolate lovers understand the magic of soft, rich cookies crowned with a perfect kiss.

Delightful treats emerge from simple ingredients and minimal kitchen effort.

Comfort and warmth radiate from each perfectly baked morsel, promising pure delight with every bite.

Home bakers can easily master these crowd-pleasing delights that spark instant smiles and happy memories.

Soft centers and chocolate-studded goodness create an irresistible combination that appeals to dessert fans of all ages.

Standout Features Of Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies

Standout Features Of Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies
  • Chocolate Comfort: These cookies wrap up chocolate goodness in a simple sugar cookie base that transforms an ordinary afternoon into something special for your family.
  • Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for holiday gatherings or school events where everyone loves a classic chocolate treat that looks impressive without complicated steps.
  • Simple Baking Win: Even beginner bakers can master this recipe with basic ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques that guarantee delicious results every single time.
  • Festive Kitchen Fun: Decorating each warm cookie with a chocolate kiss creates a playful moment where kids can help and feel proud of their baking contribution.

Core Ingredients in Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies

Cookie Base:
  • Sugar Cookie Dough (16.5 oz): Refrigerated dough that forms the soft, delectable foundation of these chocolate cookies.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (½ cup): Delivers a rich, deep chocolate flavor that transforms the classic sugar cookie.
Coating:
  • Coarse Sanding Sugar (1 cup): Creates a sparkling, crunchy exterior that adds texture and sweet crunch to each cookie.
Chocolate Topping:
  • Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Kisses (26): Creamy chocolate kisses that melt slightly when pressed into warm cookies, creating a luxurious chocolate center.

Kitchen Tools for Hershey Kiss Cookies

  • Hand Mixer or Standing Mixer (electric, 5-quart or larger): Essential for thoroughly blending your sugar cookie dough and cocoa powder smoothly and quickly.
  • Cookie Scoop (medium, 1.5-tablespoon size): Perfect for creating uniform cookie dough balls that bake evenly and look professionally made.
  • Large Mixing Bowl (ceramic or stainless steel, 3-quart): Provides ample space for mixing ingredients and preparing your chocolate cookie dough.
  • Shallow Bowl (small, for coating cookies in sugar): Helps you roll each dough ball completely in coarse sugar for a delightful crunch.
  • Parchment Paper: Keeps your cookie sheet clean and prevents cookies from sticking during baking.
  • Cookie Sheet (half-sheet pan, metal): Provides a sturdy surface for baking your chocolate kiss cookies.
  • Cooling Rack (wire, medium-sized): Allows cookies to cool evenly and prevents bottoms from becoming soggy.
  • Plastic Wrap: Covers dough during chilling to prevent moisture loss and protect from refrigerator odors.
  • Oven Mitts: Protects your hands when removing hot cookie sheets from the oven.

Steps For Making Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies

Steps For Making Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies
1

Blend Chocolate Cookie Base

Grab your mixing bowl and combine the 16.5 oz refrigerated sugar cookie dough with ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Use an electric mixer to blend everything until smooth and uniform in color. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill in the refrigerator for 60 minutes.

2

Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to exactly 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour 1 cup of coarse sanding sugar into a shallow bowl.

3

Shape Cookie Dough Balls

Use a cookie scoop to create uniform dough portions. Roll each scoop between your palms to form perfect round balls.

4

Sugar Coating

Roll each dough ball completely in the coarse sanding sugar. Ensure every inch gets a sweet crystal coating.

5

Arrange Cookies

Place the sugar-coated dough balls 1½ inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten the top of each ball with your palm to help them spread evenly during baking.

6

Bake Chocolate Cookies

Slide the baking sheet into the 350°F oven. Bake for 8-9 minutes until cookies look puffy and the dough surface no longer appears wet.

7

Add Chocolate Kisses

Immediately after removing the hot cookie sheet from the oven, press one Hershey’s milk chocolate kiss into the center of each warm cookie.

8

Cool and Serve

Let the cookies rest for 2-3 minutes on the baking sheet. Then carefully transfer them to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.

Making It Better With Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies

  • Refrigerate the dough for an hour to make rolling and handling easier, preventing sticky messes on your hands.
  • Roll each cookie dough ball completely in coarse sugar for a delightful crackly exterior that adds texture and sweetness.
  • Press the chocolate kiss into the warm cookie right after baking, allowing it to slightly melt and stick perfectly.
  • Space cookies 1½ inches apart to prevent them from running together and maintain their beautiful round shape.
  • Watch for puffy edges and a dry dough surface, which indicates your cookies are perfectly baked without becoming hard.

Flavorful Options for Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Version: Swap regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, keeping the same measurement amounts for a celiac-friendly chocolate kiss cookie.
  • Vegan Chocolate Option: Replace butter with coconut oil and eggs with ground flaxseed mixture, then use dairy-free chocolate kisses for a plant-based alternative.
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Fusion: Mix 1/4 cup peanut butter into the dough and replace chocolate kiss with a peanut butter cup for a nutty chocolate cookie variation.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar and dark chocolate kisses to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining rich flavor.

Serving Suggestions for This Recipe: Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies

  • Serve Warm and Fresh: These cookies taste best right after the chocolate kiss has been pressed into the warm cookie, creating a soft, melty chocolate center that makes every bite delightful.
  • Perfect Plate Pairing: Serve alongside a cold glass of milk or hot coffee to complement the rich chocolate flavor and balance the sweetness of the cookie.
  • Gift and Share: Package these cookies in a cute tin or festive cookie box for a delicious homemade gift that friends and family will adore during holidays or special occasions.
  • Cool and Store Smartly: Let cookies completely cool before stacking them in an airtight container, where they’ll stay fresh for about 4-5 days at room temperature.

How To Keep Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies Fresh

How To Keep Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies Fresh
  • Seal the cooled cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and soft for several days at room temperature.
  • Separate layers of cookies with wax paper to prevent them from sticking together when storing.
  • Freeze the baked cookies in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months if your batch makes more than needed right away.
  • Store the chocolate kisses in a cool, dry spot to prevent melting before topping the warm cookies.

Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Can I use dark cocoa powder instead of regular cocoa powder?

Absolutely! Dark cocoa powder will give your cookies a deeper chocolate flavor and slightly richer color. Just swap the cocoa powder in equal amounts.

FAQ

Do chocolate kisses need to be unwrapped before baking?

Yes, unwrap all chocolate kisses before starting to bake. Having them ready to press into warm cookies makes the final step super smooth.

FAQ

How long can these cookies stay fresh after baking?

Store these chocolate kiss cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days. The cookies remain soft and delicious during that time.

FAQ

Can I freeze the cookie dough before baking?

Definitely! Prepare the dough, form into balls, then freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling in sugar and baking.

FAQ

What happens if I forget to flatten the cookie balls before baking?

Your cookies might turn out a bit rounder and potentially thicker. Flattening helps them spread evenly, but they’ll still taste great even without that step.

Print
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Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies Recipe

Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies Recipe


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4.5 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hours 18-19 minutes
  • Yield: 26 1x

Description

Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies bring pure comfort straight from your kitchen, melting chocolate kisses perfectly nestled atop rich chocolate cookie bases that everyone adores.


Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Cookies:

  • 16.5 ounces refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Coating and Topping:

  • 1 cup coarse sanding sugar

Chocolate Accent:

  • 26 Hershey’s milk chocolate kisses

Instructions

  1. Blend 16.5 oz sugar cookie dough with ½ cup cocoa powder using a mixer until completely incorporated. Wrap dough and refrigerate for 60 minutes.
  2. Heat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Scoop dough into uniform balls, rolling each smoothly between your palms.
  4. Roll each dough ball completely in 1 cup coarse sanding sugar, ensuring total coverage.
  5. Position cookie balls 1½ inches apart on prepared baking sheet.
  6. Gently press down on each cookie ball with your palm to create slight flattening.
  7. Bake at 350°F for 8-9 minutes, watching for puffy texture and disappearance of wet dough appearance.
  8. Remove sheet from oven and immediately press one Hershey’s kiss into the center of each warm cookie.
  9. Let cookies rest 2 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack for complete cooling.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and creates a more uniform cookie texture with clean edges.
  • Use room temperature Hershey Kisses for easier placement and better melting into the warm cookie surface.
  • For gluten-free adaptation, substitute regular sugar cookie mix with a gluten-free alternative and check ingredient compatibility.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent kiss chocolates from sticking together.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-9 minutes
  • Category: Cookies
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 26
  • Calories: 147
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 60 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 6 mg
Madison Wyman

Madison Wyman

Recipe Developer & Food Storyteller

Expertise

Recipe Research and Adaptation, Food Writing and Cultural Storytelling, Sustainable and Ethical Sourcing, Dietary Adaptations (e.g., gluten-free, plant-based)

Education

Oregon Health & Science University

  • Degree: Master’s in Food Systems and Society
  • Focus: Sustainable food practices, cultural food traditions, and social impact of food.

Portland Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Foundational cooking skills, nutrition, and diverse culinary methods.

Madison’s passion for flavor and culture ignited amidst the rich Southern cooking traditions of her upbringing, where cherished family recipes told delicious tales.

Armed with a Master’s in Food Systems and Society from Oregon Health & Science University and a Culinary Arts Certificate from Portland Community College, Madison truly excels at transforming rich, intricate flavors into dishes that are both approachable and heartfelt.

For her, cooking is a vibrant blend of science, art, and heritage – a powerful way to connect us to our roots and each other. Her recipes invite you to delve deeper, uncovering the fascinating stories woven into every ingredient.

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