Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

If you’re in the mood for a cookie that’s as charming as it is delicious, you have to try this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe. It’s one of those beauty-and-the-beast combos: soft, fluffy cookies with smooth cream cheese, crowned perfectly with a strawberry-infused Hershey’s Kiss. Every bite feels like a little celebration, and honestly, these cookies have become my go-to treat whenever I want to impress friends (or just treat myself). Stick around—I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to bake these soft Valentine’s delights exactly right.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredient list is straightforward but each component plays a key role to give your Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe that perfect texture and taste. Knowing what to look for when shopping helps you get the best results.

• Funfetti sugar cookie mix: This pre-made mix gives you that fun sweet base dotted with colorful sprinkles—makes your cookies festive and tender.
• Cream cheese: I always use full-fat and softened cream cheese for creaminess that binds the dough and adds a subtle tang.
• Egg: Binds everything together and contributes to that soft, cakey texture.
• Pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils: These add sparkle and a slight crunch; I often opt for pink sanding sugar to enhance the strawberry theme.
• Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses: The star of the show! Their fruity flavor complements the soft cookie perfectly, plus they melt just enough to stick beautifully.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how adaptable this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe can be. Whether you want to dial up the strawberry flavor, make it more kid-friendly, or add your own finishing touches, it’s super easy to customize.

• Variation: Sometimes I toss in a teaspoon of vanilla extract to deepen the flavor—makes the cookie base taste homemade rather than from a mix.
• Dietary switch: For a gluten-free spin, you can find gluten-free Funfetti mixes that work well, just be sure to check baking times.
• Coating change: I’ve also rolled the dough balls in finely chopped dried strawberries mixed into the sugar for extra berry burst and texture—delicious and unexpected!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Get Ready and Mix Your Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—trust me, this makes cleanup a breeze. In a large bowl, combine the Funfetti cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and egg. Use a sturdy spoon or your hands to mix until you get a soft dough. It might feel a little sticky—that’s totally normal.

Step 2: Coat and Chill the Dough

Pour your sanding sugar or non-pareils into a shallow bowl. Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough, then roll each scoop gently in the sugar until coated. Roll into smooth balls with your hands. If the dough is too sticky to handle, pop it in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes—it helps a lot and prevents the dough from sticking to your fingers.

Step 3: Bake and Add the Strawberry Kisses

Arrange your dough balls on the baking sheet about 1½ inches apart. Bake them for 8 to 12 minutes until the edges just start to set, but the centers still look soft. This way, you get that perfect chewy bite. After they come out of the oven, let them cool for 3 to 5 minutes—this little wait avoids squishing the cookie—and then gently press a Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kiss right into the center of each cookie. They’ll soften just enough to settle perfectly without melting away.

Step 4: Cool and Enjoy

Let your cookies cool completely if you want those clean, perfect shapes and shiny kisses. Or, if you’re like me and love warm melty centers, grab one while it’s still slightly warm—it’s pure bliss either way!

How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra pink sanding sugar on top of the cookies after pressing in the Kisses for that extra sparkle and crunch. Sometimes, when I’m feeling festive, I toss on a few edible glitter sprinkles or tiny freeze-dried strawberry bits for a bit of tang and texture. These little touches really amp up the presentation without any fuss.

Side Dishes

These cookies are delightful on their own, but I often pair them with a simple vanilla or strawberry milkshake for a nostalgic treat. They also go wonderfully with a light herbal tea, like mint or chamomile, which cleanses the palate and balances out the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For Valentine’s Day or special occasions, I arrange these cookies on a tiered dessert tray lined with pink rose petals and fresh strawberries. Another fun idea I tried was using heart-shaped doilies as a base and wrapping cookies in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon—makes for perfect little gifts!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Strawberry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and fresh for about 3 days—though, full disclosure, they rarely last that long in my house! If you want to keep them fresh longer, placing a slice of bread in the container helps maintain moisture.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these cookies, I recommend freezing the unbaked dough balls instead of the baked cookies. Just shape and coat the dough balls, then freeze on a baking sheet until firm, transfer to a zip-top bag, and bake straight from frozen—this way, the cookies taste fresh and soft when baked later.

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This restores the softness and slightly melts the Kiss again—a simple way to refresh your treats anytime.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, the Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe has become one of those comfort baking projects that feels just right for both everyday treats and special occasions. I love how easy it is but still makes such a delightful impression with those little strawberry kisses on top. Once you make them, I bet you’ll find yourself grabbing the ingredients more often than you expected—because who doesn’t want a soft, colorful, strawberry-sweet hug in cookie form? Give it a go and let me know how these treats brighten your day!

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