Christmas Kiss Cookies are the perfect festive treat to add to your holiday baking list. These soft, chocolatey cookies are adorned with colorful nonpareil sprinkles that give them a delightful crunch, while the classic Hershey’s Kiss in the center makes each bite feel indulgent and sweet. They not only taste amazing but also bring vibrant holiday cheer to your cookie trays. These cookies are quick and easy to make, and a fantastic activity to involve your kids in the kitchen. From rolling the dough in sprinkles to pressing the Hershey’s Kisses into the freshly baked cookies, it’s a holiday baking tradition that’s sure to be cherished by the whole family. Perfect for cookie exchanges or gifting, these cookies are a joyful addition to any Christmas celebration.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup nonpareil sprinkles
- 25 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter until smooth. Add sugar and continue beating until creamy.
- Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed.
- Roll 3 teaspoons of dough per cookie into balls, then roll each in sprinkles to coat.
- Place dough balls on the baking sheets, 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Remove from oven and press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 90 kcal
Servings: 25 cookies
The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Kiss Cookies
Christmas Kiss Cookies are one of those timeless treats that everyone looks forward to during the holiday season. These festive cookies are not only delicious but also simple to make, making them a go-to for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, and Christmas gift baskets. Combining the rich taste of chocolate, a sprinkle of holiday cheer, and a classic Hershey’s Kiss in the center, these cookies embody the essence of Christmas joy and nostalgia.
The Appeal of Christmas Kiss Cookies
There is something magical about the combination of a soft, chewy chocolate cookie paired with the creamy milk chocolate of a Hershey’s Kiss. As the cookies bake, they form a delicate balance between being firm on the outside and tender on the inside. The warm, freshly baked cookie combined with the slight melt of the chocolate kiss creates an indulgent and comforting bite, reminiscent of childhood Christmas memories.
The visual appeal of Christmas Kiss Cookies also plays a significant role in their popularity. Rolled in vibrant nonpareil sprinkles or sugar crystals, these cookies are a feast for the eyes before they even hit your taste buds. The festive colors make them a beautiful addition to any holiday cookie tray, catching the eye and drawing people in to taste them. In addition to their aesthetic charm, they are wonderfully versatile and can be customized to suit different preferences or dietary needs, making them a universal crowd-pleaser.
The Tradition Behind Kiss Cookies
The concept of topping cookies with a chocolate kiss dates back to the mid-20th century when the iconic Hershey’s Kiss became a household name. Hershey’s Kisses were introduced in 1907 and quickly became a favorite candy in American homes. The simple, bite-sized shape of the kiss made it ideal for baking, and it wasn’t long before creative home bakers began incorporating them into cookies.
While the most famous version of kiss cookies might be peanut butter blossoms, which pair peanut butter dough with a chocolate kiss, the chocolate-based Christmas Kiss Cookie has become a beloved alternative, especially for those with peanut allergies or those who simply prefer the taste of chocolate on chocolate. This twist makes the recipe ideal for large gatherings, where it’s essential to consider various tastes and dietary restrictions.
Why Christmas Kiss Cookies Are Perfect for the Holidays
The holiday season is a time for sharing, and what better way to spread joy than with cookies? Christmas Kiss Cookies are incredibly easy to make in large batches, which is perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or cookie exchanges. You can double or triple the recipe to ensure you have enough for everyone, and the vibrant sprinkles make them a festive addition to any dessert table.
Additionally, baking these cookies is a fun family activity. The simplicity of the recipe allows even young children to get involved, whether it’s rolling the dough in sprinkles or pressing the Hershey’s Kisses into the freshly baked cookies. Creating these cookies together can become a holiday tradition, one that kids and parents alike will look forward to year after year.
Not only are they easy to prepare, but Christmas Kiss Cookies are also quite forgiving for beginner bakers. The dough doesn’t need to be refrigerated, which saves time and makes the process even quicker, while the short bake time means you can have a batch ready in under half an hour.
Customizing Christmas Kiss Cookies
One of the best things about Christmas Kiss Cookies is how customizable they are. While the traditional version is made with a chocolate cookie base and a classic Hershey’s Kiss, you can switch up the ingredients to create endless variations that suit your taste or theme. Here are a few ideas to get creative:
- Different Flavors of Kisses: Hershey’s offers a variety of flavored kisses, such as caramel, white chocolate, or dark chocolate. Experiment with these to add a new dimension of flavor to your cookies.
- Alternative Sprinkles: While traditional Christmas sprinkles are beautiful, you can also use colored sugar crystals, sanding sugar, or even edible glitter to give your cookies a unique look.
- Switch Up the Dough: For a twist, you can make a peanut butter version by using peanut butter dough instead of chocolate, or try a sugar cookie base for a more neutral flavor.
- Add Fillings or Toppings: If you want to elevate your cookies further, you can incorporate additional flavors into the dough, such as orange zest or peppermint extract, or add a drizzle of melted chocolate on top for an extra touch of decadence.
Tips for Baking the Perfect Christmas Kiss Cookies
While these cookies are relatively easy to make, there are a few tips and tricks that can ensure your Christmas Kiss Cookies come out perfectly every time.
- Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg yolk are at room temperature before you start baking. This will help the ingredients mix more smoothly and result in a better texture for the cookies.
- Don’t Overbake: Christmas Kiss Cookies should be soft and chewy, not crunchy. Keep an eye on them while they’re baking, and remove them from the oven as soon as the edges are set. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Press the Kiss Gently: After the cookies come out of the oven, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each one while they’re still warm. Be careful not to press too hard, as the cookies will be soft at this stage.
- Cooling is Key: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set and keeps the chocolate kiss from melting too much.
Storing and Freezing Christmas Kiss Cookies
Another great feature of Christmas Kiss Cookies is that they store exceptionally well. Once cooled, they can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or as a quick treat when guests stop by.
If you want to prepare ahead of time, these cookies also freeze beautifully. You can freeze the dough balls (before baking) or the fully baked cookies. To freeze the dough, place the unbaked balls of dough on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to an airtight bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, simply roll the frozen dough in sprinkles and bake as directed, adding a minute or two to the bake time.
Baked cookies can be frozen in an airtight container, separated by layers of parchment paper. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let the cookies thaw at room temperature or reheat them briefly in the oven to refresh them.
Conclusion:
Christmas Kiss Cookies are an ideal treat for the holiday season. They combine the best of holiday traditions—festive decorations, delicious flavors, and the opportunity to bake together as a family. Their adaptability and universal appeal ensure that they’ll be a favorite at any holiday gathering. Whether you’re baking for your family, friends, or coworkers, these cookies are a surefire way to spread some holiday cheer.
So, the next time you’re looking for a quick and easy holiday recipe that’s sure to impress, give Christmas Kiss Cookies a try. With their simple ingredients, beautiful presentation, and delightful taste, they are guaranteed to become a staple in your holiday baking repertoire.
