If you’re on the hunt for a charming, sweet treat that feels both festive and utterly delicious, you’re going to adore this Kiss Cookies Recipe. These cookies combine the fun sparkle of sanding sugar with the rich, creamy twist of cream cheese folded into Funfetti sugar cookie dough, all topped with those irresistible Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses. It’s a fantastic take on traditional sugar cookies that’s perfect for sharing with friends, brightening a party spread, or just indulging in a comforting, joyful bite any time you crave something special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Kiss Cookies Recipe proves that simplicity is key, and every ingredient plays an essential role in building flavor, texture, and that delightful pop of color. From the creamy tang of the softened cream cheese to the festive sparkle of sanding sugar, each component is thoughtfully chosen to create cookies that feel like little bites of happiness.
- 16 ounce bag Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix: This colorful mix forms the vibrant, sweet base of the cookies, packed with sprinkles for that fun factor.
- 4 ounce cream cheese (softened): Adds moisture and a luscious tang that makes the cookies soft and tender.
- 1 Large egg: Acts as the binder, helping the dough come together beautifully while giving the cookies structure.
- ½ cup pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils: These sugary sparkles give the cookies a lovely crunch and playful look.
- 18 Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses: The iconic finishing touch, melting slightly into the warm cookie and bringing fruity, chocolaty bliss to every bite.
How to Make Kiss Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Ingredients
Start by lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures your cookies will bake evenly and come out with beautifully set edges every time.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the Funfetti sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and the large egg using a hand or stand mixer. Beat until everything is well blended into a soft dough – this creamy, colorful mixture is what makes these cookies stand out on any cookie tray.
Step 3: Coat the Dough Balls
Pour your sanding sugar or non-pareils into a shallow bowl. Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, drop balls of dough into the sugar and gently roll them around until fully coated. The shimmer of the sugar will create a charming, festive coating that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.
Step 4: Chill If Needed
The dough can be sticky, so if rolling feels tricky, pop it in the fridge or freezer for 30-60 minutes. Chilling firms up the dough just enough to make scooping and rolling easier without losing its softness, making it easier to handle and bake just right.
Step 5: Arrange and Bake
Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the baking sheet, spacing them about 1 ½ inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 8-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft – this balance ensures a chewy, tender cookie with a bit of structure.
Step 6: Top with Hershey’s Kisses
Once the cookies have cooled on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes, gently press an unwrapped Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kiss into the center of each cookie. This gives a gorgeous strawberry-chocolate burst, perfectly melting into the warm cookie for an unforgettable finish.
How to Serve Kiss Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses serve as the star garnish, you can elevate presentation by sprinkling additional sanding sugar or colorful sprinkles just before baking. A light dusting of powdered sugar over the finished cookies adds charm and sweetness, making them picture-perfect for celebrations.
Side Dishes
Kiss Cookies pair beautifully with simple sides like a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of herbal tea, which complement their sweet, fruity notes. For a festive spread, add fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside for a visually pleasing and palate-pleasing treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging your Kiss Cookies Recipe on a decorative platter with themed napkins, or stack them in cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons as delightful gifts. You can also create cookie sandwiches by spreading a thin layer of cream cheese frosting between two cookies for an extra indulgent twist everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Kiss Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cookies maintain their softness and the Hershey’s Kisses stay perfectly positioned, ensuring each bite remains just as delightful as when fresh out of the oven.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen cookies last for up to two months and thaw beautifully at room temperature, ideal for prepping ahead of party season.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy your Kiss Cookies warm, simply pop them in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes or microwave briefly for about 15 seconds. The chocolate kiss will soften deliciously, reviving that freshly baked charm with every bite.
FAQs
Can I use a different cookie mix for this Kiss Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! While Funfetti adds a festive touch with its sprinkles, you can swap in your favorite sugar cookie mix if you prefer a more classic or subtle cookie base.
What if I don’t have cream cheese? Can I skip it?
Cream cheese adds moisture and tenderness, giving these cookies their unique softness. Skipping it is possible, but your cookies might end up denser and less creamy in texture.
Can I substitute the Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses?
Certainly! Any Hershey’s Kiss will work, but the strawberry variety complements the sweet dough perfectly with a fruity twist that makes this Kiss Cookies Recipe so special.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough before baking helps control spreading if the dough feels too sticky or loose. Also, spacing the cookie dough balls well on the baking sheet gives room for gentle spreading without overcrowding.
Are these cookies suitable for making ahead of events?
Definitely! You can prepare and freeze the raw dough balls in advance or bake them early and freeze the finished cookies to reheat just before serving. This makes party prep much easier and stress-free.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly heartwarming about the simplicity and joy these Kiss Cookies Recipe brings to your kitchen and table. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, these cookies are guaranteed to spread smiles and satisfy sweet cravings. Go ahead and make a batch — I promise you won’t regret it!
Print
Kiss Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
Description
Delicious and festive Kiss Cookies made with Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix, cream cheese, and topped with Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses. These soft, colorful cookies are rolled in sanding sugar or non-pareils and baked to perfection, making a sweet treat perfect for any celebration or snack time.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 16 ounce bag Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix
- 4 ounce cream cheese, softened (half of an 8-ounce package)
- 1 large egg
Coating and Topping
- ½ cup pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils
- 18 Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheet and Oven: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature before baking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat together the Funfetti sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and one large egg until the dough is soft and well combined.
- Prepare Coating: Pour the pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils into a shallow bowl for easy rolling of the cookie dough balls.
- Scoop Dough: Use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out dough balls and drop each one into the bowl of sanding sugar or non-pareils.
- Roll Dough Balls: Gently roll each dough ball in the sugar or non-pareils until evenly coated, then shape into smooth, even balls.
- Optional Chill: If the dough is too sticky to handle easily, refrigerate or freeze for 30-60 minutes to firm up. This step is optional but helps in handling sticky dough.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1½ inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Add Kiss Topping: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes, then firmly press an unwrapped Strawberry Kiss candy into the center of each cookie.
- Cool and Serve: Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely or serve them warm for a soft, melty treat.
Notes
- You can refrigerate the dough for easier handling if it is too sticky.
- Spacing cookies properly helps prevent them from spreading into each other while baking.
- Ensure the Strawberry Kisses are pressed into the cookies while they’re still warm so they stick properly.
- Cookies can be served warm or cooled, depending on preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
