Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a cookie that’s soft, festive, and totally irresistible, you’re going to fall in love with this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe. I first baked these for Valentine’s Day, and my family went crazy—they’re the perfect balance of a tender sugar cookie and that burst of strawberry goodness from the Kiss chocolate on top. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your go-to treat whenever you want something sweet and special, but super easy to make!

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together in such a simple way, but each one adds something special—from the fun sprinkles in the mix to the creamy tang of cream cheese. I always use room temperature cream cheese to make mixing a breeze.

• Funfetti sugar cookie mix: Using Funfetti adds a joyful sprinkle surprise right inside the dough. Choose a quality mix for best flavor.
• Cream cheese: This makes the cookies incredibly soft and tender—just make sure it’s softened to avoid lumps.
• Large egg: Acts as a binder and helps bring the dough together smoothly.
• Pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils: Rolling the dough in this adds a pretty shimmer and a little crunch on the outside.
• Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses: The star of the show! These give you that sweet strawberry melt right in the center—don’t skip them!

Variations

I love making this recipe my own depending on the season or who I’m baking for—you can easily swap in different types of Kisses or change up the coating for a fun twist. Feel free to make it fit your style!

• Chocolate Kisses Version: When I ran out of the strawberry Kisses once, I used classic milk chocolate ones. The cookies were still amazing but swapping back to strawberry adds that fun fruity pop.
• Gluten-Free Option: Try a gluten-free sugar cookie mix; just check it bakes similarly and adjust time if needed.
• Coating Swap: Instead of sanding sugar, roll the dough balls in finely chopped freeze-dried strawberries mixed with sugar for an extra burst of berry flavor.

How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Magic Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then grab a large bowl — toss in the Funfetti cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and the egg. I love using my stand mixer for this, but a sturdy spoon works fine too. Mix everything until you’ve got a soft, slightly sticky dough. If it feels too sticky to work with, pop it in the fridge for 30-60 minutes—that trick really saved me the first time I made these!

Step 2: Shape and Sugar-Coat

Pour your sanding sugar or non-pareils into a shallow bowl. Using a 1½ tablespoon scoop (or a spoon if you don’t have one), scoop out dough, then roll each portion into a smooth ball. Roll the balls in the sugar coating until they’re fully covered—this gives a beautiful sparkle and a slight crunch on the edges. Place the cookie balls on your baking sheet about 1½ inches apart; they’ll spread a bit, so don’t crowd them.

Step 3: Bake to Perfect Softness

Bake the cookies for 8-12 minutes. You want the edges to look set, but the centers should still be soft when you pull them from the oven—that’s how you know they’ll stay tender and chewy. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes before moving to the next step.

Step 4: Add the Strawberry Kiss

Here’s the fun part: press one Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kiss gently into the center of each cookie. If you want that firm chocolate shape, let the cookies cool a bit first. But if you’re craving a softer, gooey center, press the Kisses in right away while the cookies are still warm. Either way, these strawberry kisses make every bite a little party.

How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and let the cookie and Kiss do all the talking, but if I want extra flair, I sprinkle a few edible heart confetti right before baking. It adds just a little more festive vibe, especially for Valentine’s or kids’ parties.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of herbal tea in the afternoon. When I serve these at gatherings, I like putting out fresh strawberries and whipped cream alongside, which really complements the strawberry-flavored chocolate.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange these Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe treats on a pretty tiered tray with paper doilies and a little vase of fresh flowers nearby—it makes them look like a fancy bakery display! Another idea: individually wrap them in cellophane bags tied with pink ribbon for gift-giving or party favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Strawberry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they keep soft and tasty for about 3-4 days. I like to add a slice of bread in the container to keep them moist; it’s a neat little trick I discovered over time.

Freezing

If you want to make them ahead, the unbaked dough balls freeze beautifully. Just shape and sugar them, place on a baking tray to freeze individually, then store in freezer bags. When ready, bake straight from frozen adding a couple extra minutes. This method has saved me on busy days more than once!

Reheating

To reheat, pop the cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to enjoy that soft, melty kiss center again. Or warm in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 minutes if you want to freshen them up without losing softness.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe turns out every single time—it’s like a little bite of joy wrapped in soft, colorful cookies topped with that awesome strawberry chocolate surprise. I used to struggle to find easy Valentine’s desserts that felt special, and this one nailed it for me. Now, whether it’s a last-minute treat or a planned bake, I know these cookies will bring smiles all around. Give it a try and let me know how yours turn out—you might just find your new favorite cookie recipe!

Print