If you’re a fan of cherry and chocolate together, Cherry Kiss Cookies will be your new favorite treat! With their tender shortbread base, sweet maraschino cherries, and a chocolate Hershey’s Kiss perched on top, these cookies are perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or just a fun dessert, these cookies offer the perfect balance of fruity and chocolatey goodness in every bite.
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What Makes Cherry Kiss Cookies Special?
Cherry Kiss Cookies are not only delicious but also visually stunning. Their subtle pink color, thanks to maraschino cherry juice, and the iconic Hershey’s Kisses make them stand out. The texture is light and tender, similar to a melting moment, making these cookies a delight to eat. This combination of cherry and chocolate is always a crowd-pleaser, whether you’re preparing them for a special holiday or a casual snack.
Ingredients for Cherry Kiss Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious cookies:
• Unsalted Butter: Provides the perfect texture and richness to the dough.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: Using powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar ensures that the cookies are extra tender and melt-in-your-mouth.
• Maraschino Cherries & Juice: These give the cookies their signature cherry flavor and beautiful pink color.
• Almond Extract: Adds a lovely flavor that enhances the cherry taste without overpowering it.
• All-purpose Flour: Forms the structure of the dough.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
• Red Food Coloring: Optional, but adds a deeper pink hue to the cookies if desired.
• Hershey’s Kisses: The star of the cookie, bringing a creamy chocolate flavor that pairs perfectly with the cherry base.
Alternative Ingredients for Cherry Kiss Cookies
If you’re looking to make a few changes to suit dietary needs or preferences, here are some alternatives:
• Dairy-Free Butter: Swap out unsalted butter with dairy-free butter if you’re avoiding dairy.
• Gluten-Free Flour: You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.
• Dark Chocolate Kisses: If you prefer dark chocolate over milk chocolate, feel free to use dark Hershey’s Kisses for a slightly richer flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Cherry Kiss Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or leave it ungreased.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt until the mixture becomes light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Mix in the maraschino cherry juice, almond extract, and red food coloring (if using). Stir until everything is fully incorporated.
- Add the chopped maraschino cherries and mix them into the dough.
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour and mix on low speed until combined, ensuring you don’t overwork the dough.
- Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls (about 1½ tablespoons of dough for each) and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bottoms start to turn golden brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. The cookies may crack slightly around the edges—that’s perfectly normal.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Cherry Kiss Cookies
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: For a light, tender cookie, avoid overworking the dough. Mix just until the ingredients come together.
• Let the Kisses Set: After pressing the Hershey’s Kisses into the warm cookies, avoid touching them until they’ve fully cooled. This prevents the chocolate from losing its shape.
• Freezing the Dough: If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, freeze the dough before baking. Scoop the dough into balls, freeze them, and store in a zip-top bag. When ready to bake, thaw the dough and then bake as usual.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
These Cherry Kiss Cookies are perfect for a variety of occasions. They’re especially delightful during the holiday season, but their soft pink hue makes them ideal for baby showers or Valentine’s Day as well. You can also:
• Serve them with a glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee for a comforting treat.
• Add a little extra twist by using Hershey’s Hugs (the white chocolate and milk chocolate combination) in place of regular Kisses.
Cherry Kiss Cookies: A Holiday Delight
With their gorgeous pink hue and perfect balance of cherry and chocolate flavors, Cherry Kiss Cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just enjoying a sweet treat with family and friends, these cookies will delight everyone who tastes them.
Conclusion: Why Cherry Kiss Cookies are a Must-Try
Cherry Kiss Cookies combine the best of both worlds—cherry and chocolate—into one irresistible treat. The smooth, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread, combined with the sweet maraschino cherries and topped with a creamy Hershey’s Kiss, creates a cookie that will become a favorite in your household. Perfect for any holiday, party, or just an everyday indulgence, these cookies are easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, the step-by-step instructions ensure your Cherry Kiss Cookies turn out perfectly every time. Don’t wait for a special occasion—make them today and enjoy the delightful cherry-chocolate flavor!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses instead of milk chocolate for Cherry Kiss Cookies?
Yes, you can substitute dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses or even Hershey’s Hugs (white and milk chocolate combo) for the traditional milk chocolate Kisses. Keep in mind that the flavor will be a bit richer if you choose dark chocolate.
Do I have to use food coloring in the Cherry Kiss Cookies recipe?
No, adding red food coloring is optional. If you prefer a more subtle pink hue, the maraschino cherry juice alone will provide a natural color. However, if you want a more vibrant pink, the food coloring will help enhance the cookies’ appearance.
How do I store leftover Cherry Kiss Cookies?
Store your leftover Cherry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. They stay fresh and delicious, making them perfect for snacking any time. You can also freeze them for longer storage—just place the cookies in a sealed container and freeze for up to 3 months.
More Relevant Recipes
PrintCherry Kiss Cookies
Cherry Kiss Cookies combine the sweet and tangy flavor of maraschino cherries with rich, creamy Hershey’s Kisses, all atop a tender shortbread base. The subtle pink hue and the cherry-chocolate flavor make them perfect for holidays, celebrations, or just a delicious treat anytime.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 39 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp maraschino cherry juice (from the jar of cherries)
- 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 milk chocolate Kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or leave ungreased.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt on low speed until well combined. Increase to medium speed and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Mix in the maraschino cherry juice, almond extract, and food coloring (if using) until fully incorporated.
- Fold in the chopped maraschino cherries.
- Gradually add the flour in small increments, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Scoop out 1-inch balls of dough (about 1½ tablespoons per ball) and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies just begin to turn golden brown.
- As soon as the cookies are done baking, remove from the oven and immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a more vibrant pink color, feel free to add red food coloring. Without it, the cookies will have a more subtle pink hue from the maraschino cherry juice.
- To freeze the dough, roll it into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, store them in a zip-top bag and bake as needed.
- Make sure not to touch the Kisses until the cookies are completely cooled to avoid altering their shape.
- If you’re not a fan of milk chocolate, you can substitute Hershey’s dark chocolate Kisses or Hershey’s Hugs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
