If you love the irresistible combination of cherry and chocolate, then these Cherry Kiss Cookies are perfect for you! These tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies topped with a Hershey’s Kiss deliver a delightful cherry-chocolate flavor that’s perfect for any occasion. With their beautiful pink hue and deliciously sweet flavor, Cherry Kiss Cookies are great for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or even a baby shower. But don’t wait for a special occasion—these cookies are perfect for everyday snacking too!
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What Makes Cherry Kiss Cookies So Special?
Cherry Kiss Cookies are not only delicious but also simple to make. The blend of maraschino cherries and their juice, paired with milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses, creates the perfect flavor profile. These cookies feature a shortbread texture thanks to the use of confectioners’ sugar, making them smooth, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth good. Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a holiday gathering or just enjoy a sweet treat, these cookies are sure to hit the mark!
Cherry Kiss Cookies Ingredients
These Cherry Kiss Cookies come together with just a few simple ingredients that work in harmony to create a mouthwatering treat.
- Unsalted Butter: The key to a tender texture; don’t substitute margarine.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Gives the cookies a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Maraschino Cherries & Juice: Provides the signature cherry flavor for the dough.
- Almond Extract: Enhances the cherry flavor and adds a subtle depth.
- All-purpose Flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough, giving structure.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Red Food Coloring (optional): Adds a vibrant pink color to the dough.
- Hershey’s Kisses: The iconic chocolate topping that completes these cookies.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
- Dark Chocolate Hershey’s Kisses: If you prefer dark chocolate over milk, you can easily swap the milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses with dark chocolate or Hershey’s Hugs.
- Cherries: If maraschino cherries are not available, you can use fresh cherries, though they may alter the texture and flavor slightly.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cherry Kiss Cookies
Making Cherry Kiss Cookies is easy, and the results are absolutely delicious. Here’s how to make them:
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt together on low speed until blended. Then increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add Flavorings: Mix in the maraschino cherry juice, almond extract, and red food coloring (if using).
- Incorporate Chopped Cherries: Add the chopped maraschino cherries to the dough and mix until evenly distributed.
- Add Flour: Gradually beat in the flour on low speed until just combined. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky.
- Shape Dough: Scoop dough into 1-inch balls, about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough each. Place them on ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden.
- Add Hershey’s Kisses: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. The cookies will crack slightly around the edges—this is perfectly normal.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the pan for 2 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Cherry Kiss Cookies
- Don’t Overmix: When incorporating the flour, mix just until combined to avoid tough cookies.
- Red Food Coloring: If you prefer a subtle pink hue, skip the food coloring and rely solely on the maraschino cherry juice.
- Perfect Cookie Size: Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform dough balls for evenly baked cookies.
- Don’t Touch the Kisses: Once you press the Hershey’s Kisses onto the warm cookies, let them cool completely. If you touch them too soon, they can lose their shape.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
Cherry Kiss Cookies are delicious on their own, but they can be paired with other sweet treats for a fun dessert spread.
- Serve with Ice Cream: These cookies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a delightful dessert.
- Variation: For a festive touch, consider adding a few sprinkles on top of the cookies before baking. These cookies are also perfect for a Valentine’s Day treat or a baby shower dessert table.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can freeze the cookie dough before baking. Scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a zip-top bag and store them in the freezer. Bake as needed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Health Benefits and Occasions for Cherry Kiss Cookies
While Cherry Kiss Cookies are a sweet indulgence, they’re perfect for special occasions like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and even baby showers. Their beautiful pink color makes them visually appealing, and their cherry-chocolate flavor is a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re baking for a holiday or simply craving a delicious treat, these cookies are sure to bring joy to any gathering.
Cherry Kiss Cookies are a fun, flavorful twist on the classic cookie with a Hershey’s Kiss on top. They combine the sweetness of maraschino cherries and rich milk chocolate in a tender shortbread cookie that’s simply irresistible. Try them for your next special occasion, or just bake up a batch to enjoy with family and friends!
Conclusion
Cherry Kiss Cookies are a delightful and easy-to-make treat that combines the irresistible flavors of cherry and chocolate. These melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies topped with Hershey’s Kisses are perfect for any occasion, from holidays like Christmas and Valentine’s Day to casual family gatherings or baby showers. With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create a batch of these beautiful, pink-hued cookies that will be loved by everyone who tries them. Whether you’re a fan of cherry desserts or just looking for a fun and festive cookie to make, Cherry Kiss Cookies are a must-try!
FAQ
1. Can I use dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses for Cherry Kiss Cookies?
Yes, you can substitute dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses or Hershey’s Hugs for the regular milk chocolate Kisses. However, milk chocolate Kisses tend to provide a better balance of sweetness with the cherry flavor. If you use Hershey’s Hugs, keep in mind they may melt more easily and may not hold their shape as well as the regular Kisses.
2. Do I need to use red food coloring for Cherry Kiss Cookies?
No, red food coloring is optional in this recipe. If you prefer a more subtle pink hue, you can rely on the maraschino cherries and their juice to create the color. Adding food coloring enhances the pink shade but isn’t necessary for a delicious result.
3. How can I store leftover Cherry Kiss Cookies?
Store your Cherry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to a week. If you’d like to store them for a longer period, consider freezing them. Simply place the cookies in a zip-top bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let them thaw before serving.
More Relevant Recipes
PrintCherry Kiss Cookies
Cherry Kiss Cookies are soft, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies topped with Hershey’s Kisses. The cherry and chocolate combination makes these cookies perfect for any occasion, from holidays to casual snacking. With a beautiful pink hue and irresistible flavor, these cookies will delight anyone who tries them.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 39 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp maraschino cherry juice
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 6 drops red food coloring (optional)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup chopped maraschino cherries
- 30 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt on low speed until blended. Increase to medium speed and cream until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Beat in maraschino cherry juice, almond extract, and red food coloring (if using).
- Add chopped maraschino cherries and mix until evenly distributed.
- Gradually beat in the flour on low speed until just combined. The dough should be smooth and slightly sticky.
- Scoop dough into 1-inch balls (about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough each) and place on ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly golden brown.
- Remove the pan from the oven and immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. The cookies will crack slightly around the edges.
- Cool the cookies on the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use real butter for the best texture; margarine is not recommended.
- You can skip the red food coloring if you prefer a more subtle pink hue.
- Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform dough sizes for even baking.
- If using Hershey’s Hugs, be aware that they melt more easily than regular Kisses.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
