If you’ve ever dreamed of a cookie that captures the sweet essence of fresh strawberries with a luscious chocolate center, the Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is just what your kitchen has been waiting for. These delightful treats blend soft, tender dough infused with strawberry gelatin and are crowned with a glossy chocolate kiss that melts in your mouth. Perfect for evoking cozy memories or brightening up your snack time, this recipe is a joyous celebration of flavor and texture that’s as eye-catching as it is delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for a handful of familiar, simple ingredients—each one playing a vital role in creating the perfect balance of sweetness, softness, and flavor. With no complicated pantry additions, you’ll find putting these cookies together straightforward and satisfying.
- Unsalted butter: Using softened butter helps achieve that light and fluffy cookie texture with a rich, creamy flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps with the cookie’s tender crumb.
- Large egg: Acts as a binder and gives structure to the dough while adding moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the cookie’s depth of flavor with a warm, aromatic touch.
- Strawberry-flavored gelatin mix: The star ingredient providing a natural strawberry taste and subtle rosy color.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookie’s structure, balancing softness and chewiness perfectly.
- Chocolate kiss candies: These sweet little chocolate gems sit right in the center of each cookie, melting into a luscious finish.
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until your mixture is light, fluffy, and almost pale in color. This aeration is what makes the cookies tender and melt-in-your-mouth perfect. Then, add the egg, vanilla extract, and strawberry gelatin mix, blending all these fragrant flavors into a smooth, luscious base.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your all-purpose flour and baking powder. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until fully incorporated. The dough will feel soft but thick enough to hold its shape—exactly what you want for these cookies that need to support their chocolatey center.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Place your dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling step is a game-changer—it firms up the dough for easier handling and helps control spreading during baking, resulting in perfectly shaped cookies with just the right texture.
Step 4: Scoop and Bake
Once chilled, drop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them well to allow for gentle spreading. Slide them into your preheated oven and bake for 11 to 13 minutes or until the edges are just set but the center still looks soft. Timing here is key to maintain that tender bite.
Step 5: Add the Chocolate Kisses and Cool
Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a chocolate kiss candy gently into the center of each warm cookie. The residual heat will soften the chocolate slightly, making it wonderfully gooey. Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely, and don’t forget to dust them lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant, snowy finish.
How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the powdered sugar dusting already adds charm, consider adding fresh strawberry slices or a tiny mint leaf next to each cookie to elevate the presentation. This simple touch enhances the berry theme and brings a fresh contrast to the rich chocolate kiss.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine alongside a chilled glass of milk, a steaming cup of tea, or a smooth vanilla latte. For a festive occasion, serve them on a dessert platter with other fruity treats like berry tarts or lemon bars to complement their delightful strawberry flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or gift, arrange these cookies in a pretty tin or a cellophane bag tied with a vibrant ribbon. You can also sandwich two cookies around a dollop of cream cheese frosting for a fun twist—turning your Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe into mini cookie sandwiches everyone will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. This allows them to maintain their soft texture and keeps those chocolate centers perfectly luscious and ready for snacking.
Freezing
If you want to keep these cookies around longer, freeze the unbaked dough balls on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to three months. You can also freeze fully baked cookies in airtight containers—just be sure to separate layers with parchment paper so they don’t stick together.
Reheating
To revive frozen cookies, warm them slightly in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This refreshes the softness and gently melts the chocolate center again without overbaking.
FAQs
Can I use a different flavor of gelatin for this recipe?
Absolutely! While strawberry is the classic choice, you can experiment with other fruity gelatin flavors like raspberry or cherry for a fun twist, but keep in mind it will alter the final taste and color of the cookies.
What if I don’t have chocolate kiss candies?
You can substitute with mini chocolate chips or small pieces of your favorite chocolate bar, but the classic chocolate kisses create that signature look and perfect balance in each bite.
Is it necessary to chill the dough for an hour?
Chilling the dough helps create better texture and reduces spreading, but if you’re in a hurry, you can skip this step—just watch the baking time closely as the cookies may spread a bit more and have a slightly different texture.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Yes, with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, you can make these cookies gluten-free. Just ensure your gelatin and other ingredients are also gluten-free for a safe and delicious treat.
How should I store these cookies if I plan to serve them later the same day?
Keep them in a sealed container at room temperature in a single layer or stacked with parchment paper between layers. This keeps the cookies fresh and the chocolate kisses intact until you’re ready to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to bring a bit of cheer and a burst of flavor to your baking repertoire, the Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is your perfect new go-to. With every bite offering a tender strawberry essence paired with melting chocolate, these cookies promise smiles and sweet memories. Give them a try—you’ll quickly see why they’ve become a beloved treat to share with friends and family.
Print
Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24-30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these soft and fruity Strawberry Kiss Cookies, featuring a perfect balance of sweet strawberry gelatin and rich chocolate kisses. These cookies bake up beautifully with a tender crumb and a pop of chocolate in every bite, making them a festive and irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 package (3 oz) strawberry-flavored gelatin mix
- 2 cups + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
Topping
- 24–30 chocolate kiss candies
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Cream Butter & Sugar: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: To the creamed mixture, add the large egg, vanilla extract, and the strawberry-flavored gelatin mix. Mix well to incorporate all ingredients uniformly, infusing the dough with delightful strawberry flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined to form a soft cookie dough.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for at least one hour. Chilling helps the dough firm up and improves the texture of the cookies while baking.
- Shape Cookies and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of the chilled dough and place them onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes or until the edges are set and lightly golden.
- Add Chocolate Kiss Centers: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press one chocolate kiss candy into the center of each warm cookie, allowing it to soften slightly and adhere without melting completely.
- Cool and Finish: Allow the cookies to cool on wire racks. Once cooled, dust lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for best creaming results.
- Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent spreading and to enhance flavor.
- If desired, substitute chocolate kisses with white chocolate or flavored candies for variation.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
- For a gluten-free option, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
