Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are soft, tender, and infused with a delightful strawberry flavor thanks to strawberry gelatin powder. Topped with rich chocolate kisses, they offer a perfect balance of fruity sweetness and chocolatey goodness, making them ideal for festive occasions or a charming treat.
- Author: Mia
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
- Yield: 24-30 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2 cups + 2 tbsp (280g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 package (3 oz) strawberry-flavored gelatin mix
For Finishing
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
- 24–30 chocolate kiss candies, unwrapped
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, beating until the mixture is well combined. Stir in the strawberry-flavored gelatin powder until fully incorporated for that signature flavor and color.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until a soft, pink dough forms. If the dough feels too soft or sticky to handle, add 1-2 extra tablespoons of flour to achieve the right consistency.
- Shape & Chill: Using about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie, roll the dough between your palms to form smooth balls. Place the dough balls on a lined baking sheet and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to overnight. Chilling prevents excessive spreading during baking.
- Preheat Oven & Arrange Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the chilled dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for expansion.
- Important Baking Note: Do not press an indentation or make a thumbprint in the dough before baking, as this will cause the cookies to spread too much.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 11-13 minutes, or until the edges appear set and slightly firm while the centers might still look soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Add the Chocolate Kisses: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. While still warm, gently press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie so it adheres without melting excessively from direct heat.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely, letting the chocolate set firmly.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: To keep the chocolate kiss clean, dust the cookies with powdered sugar first, then press in the chocolate kisses as described. This ensures a beautiful presentation without powder on the chocolate.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Adding a small amount of almond extract adds a lovely depth but can be omitted for nut allergies or personal preference.
- If dough is sticky, add flour gradually to avoid toughening the cookies.
- Do not make indentations in the dough before baking to preserve cookie shape.
- Use good quality chocolate kisses for the best flavor and melting behavior.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Keywords: Strawberry Kiss Cookies, strawberry cookies, chocolate kiss cookies, baked cookies, strawberry gelatin cookies, holiday cookies, soft cookies, chocolate topped cookies