If you’re looking for a cookie that’s brimming with charm and tastes like love at first bite, this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is just the thing you need in your life. Each bite delivers a delicate strawberry flavor wrapped up in a soft, cake-like cookie and crowned with a sweet chocolate Kiss. They’re shockingly easy to make, require just a handful of pantry staples, and turn out positively irresistible—perfect for bake sales, Valentine’s Day, or any moment when you want a treat that’s as dazzling as it is delicious!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is in its simplicity—every ingredient works its magic to create cookies with vibrant color, tender crumb, and that signature chocolate center. Let’s take a look at why you need each item for your batch to shine.
- Strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounces): The not-so-secret star that infuses the cookies with berry flavor and that lovely, rosy hue.
- Vegetable oil (1/3 cup): Keeps the cookies moist and gives them just the right amount of chew.
- Large eggs (2): These bring the dough together and add a touch of richness for the perfect cookie texture.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances both the strawberry and chocolate with its warm, aromatic background notes.
- Hershey’s Kisses (24, milk chocolate or strawberry-filled), unwrapped: The crowning glory of each cookie, providing a gooey surprise with every bite.
- Powdered sugar for rolling (optional): Adds a whimsical snowy look and a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth outer layer if you want to dress things up.
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Baking Sheet
Start things off by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This not only helps prevent sticking, but also makes for an easy cleanup later—so you can spend more time enjoying cookies and less time scrubbing pans.
Step 2: Mix Your Dreamy Strawberry Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to mix everything until a soft, cohesive dough forms. It’ll be plush, pink, and delightfully fragrant—resist the urge to sneak a taste (just for now)!
Step 3: Shape and (Optionally) Roll in Powdered Sugar
If you crave a crinkle-top look, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and then lightly coat them in powdered sugar. Not only does this add sweet sparkle, but it also lends a lovely, crackly finish as the cookies bake. Sticky dough? Pop it in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes for easier rolling.
Step 4: Arrange and Bake
Place your dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Slide them into the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes—just until the edges are set and the tops start to gently crack. The cookies should still be soft in the center, but will firm up as they cool.
Step 5: Add the Kiss—The Best Part!
The moment your cookies come out of the oven, press a Hershey’s Kiss right into the center of each one. The heat makes the chocolate slightly melty and perfectly nestled. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes to set before transferring to a wire rack.
How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a dusting of extra powdered sugar on top for a snowy effect, or even drizzle with white chocolate for an elegant twist. For a hint of color, add a few festive sprinkles before the chocolate sets—the sky’s the limit when it comes to decorating your Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe!
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a mug of coffee, or a frothy strawberry milkshake for the ultimate treat. They also make a sweet contrast on a dessert board alongside chocolate-dipped strawberries or mini cheesecakes.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack these pink beauties in clear jars for gifting, or arrange them in cupcake liners for a party platter that pops with color. For special occasions, place a cookie on each guest’s plate as a charming edible favor, or tie up small bundles in cellophane with a pretty ribbon.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days—perfect for sneaking a sweet bite well after baking day!
Freezing
Looking to get ahead? Freeze the unbaked dough balls (without sugar) on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two, and finish with the chocolate Kiss as usual.
Reheating
If you want that just-baked, warm-and-melty feel, give the cookies a 5-second zap in the microwave. The chocolate softens like magic—just enough to mimic fresh-from-the-oven perfection!
FAQs
Can I use other cake mix flavors with this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While strawberry keeps things pink and fruity, feel free to experiment with chocolate, red velvet, or even lemon cake mix for a fun twist on the original.
What kind of Hershey’s Kisses works best?
Classic milk chocolate is always a win, but strawberry-filled, white chocolate, or even cookies and cream Kisses add exciting variety. Try mixing a few types to keep things interesting!
Why did my cookies spread too much?
If your dough was too warm or sticky, the cookies can spread more than you’d like. Chilling the dough before rolling helps them hold their shape during baking for that classic look.
Can I make these cookies gluten free?
Yes! Simply swap in your favorite gluten-free strawberry cake mix and ensure your other ingredients are certified gluten free—your cookies will still be just as soft and scrumptious.
How do I keep the chocolate Kisses from melting?
Work quickly when pressing the Kisses into the hot cookies, then move the sheet to a cool spot or even pop it into the fridge briefly to help the chocolate keep its shape.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re baking for a special celebration or just a Tuesday in need of something sweet, the Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe will bring a pop of color and joy to any table. They’re easy, fun, and always a crowd-pleaser—give them a try and watch everyone fall in love, one bite at a time!
PrintStrawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the sweetness of strawberries with the rich flavor of Hershey’s Kisses. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 box strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounces)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- powdered sugar for rolling (optional)
Topping:
- 24 Hershey’s Kisses (milk chocolate or strawberry-filled), unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until a soft dough forms.
- Form the cookies: Roll dough into 1-inch balls and then roll in powdered sugar. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until set. Press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chill the dough if sticky before baking.
- Experiment with different flavored Kisses for variety.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg