If you’re looking for a cookie that’s as delightful to make as it is to eat, you’re going to love this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe. These soft, tender cookies crowned with a strawberry-flavored Hershey’s Kiss are basically little bites of Valentine’s Day magic all year round. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to for everything from cozy family nights to gifting neighbors—because who doesn’t want to receive a cookie that looks this adorable and tastes even better?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With only a few ingredients and simple steps, you’ll have these cookies baked in no time.
- Perfectly Soft Texture: Thanks to the cream cheese, these cookies come out tender and melt-in-your-mouth good.
- Funfetti Surprise: The mix adds colorful sprinkles inside, making each bite a delightful burst of joy.
- Strawberry Kiss Center: The strawberry-flavored chocolate adds a unique twist and a burst of fruity sweetness you won’t see coming.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe calls for ingredients that are easy to find and play beautifully together to create that perfect balance of soft cookie and sweet strawberry charm. Using a boxed Funfetti cookie mix makes the process straightforward, but the fresh cream cheese adds a richness that’s totally worth it.
- Funfetti sugar cookie mix: This is your base for the soft, colorful cookie with sprinkles baked right in.
- Cream cheese: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing and a tender crumb.
- Large egg: Helps bind everything together and adds just the right amount of moisture.
- Pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils: For coating your cookie balls and adding an extra sparkle and crunch.
- Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses: These are the star of the show—giving that gorgeous strawberry-chocolate kiss center.
Variations
I’ve played around with this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe a bit, and I love how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to switch up the sprinkle colors for holidays or tweak the toppings, you really can’t go wrong. Feel free to make it your own!
- Chocolate Chip Variation: Swap the sprinkles in your cookie mix for mini chocolate chips for a more classic cookie taste—my kids go crazy for this twist.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free sugar cookie mix instead of the regular Funfetti; just watch the baking time slightly since gluten-free dough can behave differently.
- Sprinkle Colors: Change up the sanding sugar or non-pareils colors to fit any celebration—red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or even gold for a glamorous touch.
- Berry Kisses: I’ve heard some bakers swap out strawberry Kisses for the classic or caramel ones to create flavor combos; I like how the strawberry ones add a fresh fruit note, though.
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepping Your Dough
First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this helps prevent sticking and keeps your cookies looking flawless. In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole bag of the Funfetti cookie mix, the softened cream cheese, and one large egg. I like to use my hands or a sturdy spoon to mix until you get a soft, slightly sticky dough that holds together well. If the dough feels too gooey, cover it and pop it in the fridge for 30–60 minutes—it makes shaping so much simpler.
Step 2: Shaping and Coating the Cookies
Pour your pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils into a shallow bowl. Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon, portion out dough balls and roll each one in the sugar to coat thoroughly—this adds a lovely texture and pretty sparkle. Then, smooth the dough balls with your hands to give them nice round shapes. If the dough sticks to your fingers, lightly dust your hands with some sanding sugar to keep things manageable.
Step 3: Baking and Adding The Strawberry Kiss
Arrange your cookie balls on the parchment-lined baking sheet about 1½ inches apart so they have room to spread without merging. Bake for 8–12 minutes, watching closely for edges that are set but still soft centers—that’s the sweet spot. Once out of the oven, let them cool for 3–5 minutes (this is key!). Then, gently press a Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kiss right into the center of each cookie. If you press too soon, the center chocolate can melt and lose shape; waiting a few minutes helps them keep that perfect kiss shape.
Step 4: Cooling and Enjoying
Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack if you’d like a firm chocolate center, or enjoy warm if you prefer a softer, melty strawberry center—both ways are awesome! I often make a batch for daytime snacks and another to enjoy fresh out of the oven while lounging with a cup of coffee.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
- Softened Cream Cheese is a Game Changer: I once skipped softening it and ended up with clumpy dough—don’t make my mistake! Let it sit out at room temp until completely smooth.
- Chill Sticky Dough: The chill time helps the cookie balls keep their shape and makes rolling in sugar easier.
- Don’t Skip the Cooling Step: Pushing the kiss in after cooling prevents the candy from losing its signature shape—your cookies will look just right for sharing or gifting.
- Use Parchment Paper: It helps your cookies bake evenly and keeps cleanup a breeze—trust me, it’s worth it!
How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple for these cookies—the sanding sugar or non-pareils already add such a fun sparkle. But if I want to jazz them up for a party, a tiny dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate adds a pretty finishing touch without overpowering the strawberry kiss center.
Side Dishes
These cookies make a fantastic treat alongside a tall glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea. For a festive brunch or dessert table, pair them with fresh berries or a light fruit salad to complement the strawberry flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
When I’ve given these as gifts, I like stacking them neatly in a clear cellophane bag tied with a pink or red ribbon—it’s eye-catching and immediately tells the recipient they’re in for a special treat. For Valentine’s Day or birthdays, arranging them on a pretty platter with some fresh strawberries and edible flowers turns the presentation into a mini celebration of charm and sweetness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Strawberry Kiss Cookies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I recommend placing parchment paper between layers to keep the sugar coating intact and prevent sticking.
Freezing
I usually freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls—just roll and coat them in sugar, then arrange on a tray to freeze until firm before transferring to a freezer bag. When I’m ready to bake, I pop them into the oven straight from frozen and add a couple extra minutes to the baking time. This way, I can have fresh cookies anytime without starting from scratch.
Reheating
Warm leftover cookies briefly in a 300°F oven for 3–4 minutes or microwave for 10–15 seconds to revive that soft, just-baked feel. Just be careful not to overheat, or the strawberry kiss center can get too melty and lose its shape.
FAQs
-
Can I make these Strawberry Kiss Cookies without cream cheese?
While cream cheese is key to the soft, tender texture in this recipe, you can try substituting it with an equal amount of butter for a more classic sugar cookie feel. However, the cookies will be less moist and might not have the same melt-in-your-mouth quality.
-
What if I can’t find Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses?
You can absolutely use other flavored Kisses or your favorite small chocolates. Milk chocolate or white chocolate Kisses work great, and you could even try mini peanut butter cups for a fun variation—just keep in mind the final flavor combo will change.
-
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure to chill the dough if it feels sticky before shaping and rolling in sugar. Also, don’t crowd the cookies on the baking sheet—leaving about 1½ inches between balls helps maintain their shape while baking.
-
Can I make these vegan or dairy-free?
With some substitutions, yes! Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and a vegan egg replacer for binding. Just be sure to check that your sugar cookie mix and Kisses are vegan-friendly too.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe turns out every single time—it’s become a favorite for both everyday treats and special occasions in my home. The combination of soft funfetti cookie dough with that sweet strawberry kiss center is truly magical. If you’re craving a recipe that’s quick, impressive, and packed with love, give this one a try. I’m confident that once you do, you’ll keep coming back to it just like I do, and trust me, your friends and family will thank you too!
Print
Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8–12 minutes
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 16–18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are a delightful Valentine’s treat featuring soft, funfetti cookies topped with Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses. These cookies combine a creamy cream cheese dough with a sweet, colorful sugar coating and a strawberry-flavored chocolate center for a perfect balance of texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 (16 oz) bag Funfetti sugar cookie mix
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
Coating and Topping
- ½ cup pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils
- 18 Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dough: In a large bowl, combine the funfetti sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and the egg. Mix these ingredients until a soft dough forms, ensuring an even texture.
- Prepare Coating: Pour the sanding sugar or non-pareils into a shallow bowl for easy rolling and coating of the cookie dough balls.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Using a 1½ tablespoon scoop, portion the dough and roll each piece in the sanding sugar or non-pareils until fully coated. Shape each into a smooth, uniform ball for even baking.
- Chill Dough if Needed: If you find the dough too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 30–60 minutes to firm up before rolling and coating.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1½ inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft and tender.
- Add Chocolate Kisses: After removing from the oven, let the cookies cool for 3–5 minutes. Then gently press a Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kiss into the center of each cookie.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely to set the kiss firmly, or enjoy them warm for a softer, melted center experience.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth and easy mixing.
- If the dough feels sticky, chill it before rolling and use sanding sugar to coat your hands to prevent sticking.
- For firmer chocolate centers, allow cookies to cool slightly before pressing the Kisses.
- Press the Kisses immediately after baking if you prefer soft, melted centers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg