If you’re searching for a delightful twist on thumbprint cookies, these Strawberry Kiss Cookies are the perfect choice. With their soft, buttery texture, a kiss of strawberry flavor, and a decadent chocolate center, they’re as delicious as they are adorable. Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, a birthday celebration, or just a fun baking day, these cookies will steal the show.
In this guide, you’ll find the step-by-step recipe, expert tips, and answers to all your cookie-making questions to ensure your batch turns out perfectly every time.
Why You’ll Love Strawberry Kiss Cookies
These cookies are:
- Fun and festive with their bright pink color
- Perfectly soft and tender with a hint of strawberry
- Topped with a luscious chocolate kiss for the ultimate flavor combination
- Easy to make, even for beginners
- Great for gifting, parties, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth
Ingredients That Make These Cookies Irresistible
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Unsalted butter (1 cup): For a rich and tender dough
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Sweetens and helps the cookies hold their shape
- Egg (1): Adds moisture and richness
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Adds warmth and depth to the flavor
- Almond extract (½ tsp, optional): Enhances the strawberry flavor with a nutty aroma
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Creates structure while keeping the cookies soft
- Baking powder (1 tsp): Gives a slight rise for a light texture
- Salt (¼ tsp): Balances the sweetness
- Strawberry-flavored gelatin mix (3 oz): Adds the signature pink color and strawberry flavor
- Powdered sugar (¼ cup): For dusting and decoration
- Chocolate kiss candies (24-30): The crowning touch of chocolaty goodness
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies
1: Prepare the Dough
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined.
- Incorporate the Gelatin: Add the strawberry-flavored gelatin powder, beating until the dough turns a uniform pink.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
2: Shape the Cookies
- Roll the Dough: Scoop a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a smooth ball. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Make an Indentation: Gently press the center of each dough ball with your thumb or the back of a teaspoon, twisting slightly for a smooth, rounded dip.
3: Bake to Perfection
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for faint cracks around the edges but ensure the centers remain soft.
- Cool Slightly: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
4: Add the Chocolate Kiss
- Press the Chocolate Kiss: While the cookies are still warm, gently press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. The warmth will slightly soften the chocolate, helping it adhere without melting.
5: Dust with Powdered Sugar
Once completely cooled, sprinkle the cookies with powdered sugar for a festive and polished look.
Expert Tips for Perfect Strawberry Kiss Cookies
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure the butter and egg are at room temperature for smoother mixing
- Make Clean Indentations: Twist your thumb or spoon for a neat, professional look
- Avoid Overbaking: Remove the cookies as soon as the edges set for a tender texture
- Cool Before Dusting: Let the cookies cool completely to prevent powdered sugar from melting into the chocolate
FAQs
If you don’t have strawberry gelatin, substitute with another berry-flavored mix or add a few drops of strawberry extract. You can also use strawberry puree for natural flavor and color.
Absolutely. The almond extract is optional and enhances the flavor, but you can leave it out if you prefer or have allergies.
Allow the cookies to cool slightly (2-3 minutes) before pressing the chocolate kiss in. The residual warmth is enough to soften the chocolate without melting it entirely.
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, refrigerate for two weeks or freeze for up to three months.
Ensure the strawberry gelatin mix is fully incorporated into the butter and sugar before adding the dry ingredients.
Yes. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and ensure the gelatin mix and chocolate kisses are gluten-free.
Related Recipes You’ll Love
Looking for more inspiration? Check out these delicious treats:
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cookies
- Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
Serving and Gifting Ideas
- Serve on a dessert platter with chocolate-dipped strawberries
- Stack them in a decorative jar for a sweet Valentine’s Day gift
- Pair with coffee or hot cocoa for a cozy afternoon treat
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are not just cookies; they’re little moments of joy. Their bright color, sweet flavor, and easy recipe make them a go-to treat for any occasion. Bake a batch, share with loved ones, or enjoy them yourself you deserve it.
If you’ve tried this recipe, let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget to pin this recipe on Pinterest to save it for later. Happy baking!
Print
Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24–30 cookies 1x
Description
Soft, buttery cookies with a bright pink strawberry dough, topped with a rich chocolate kiss. These cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or any special occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 package (3 oz) strawberry-flavored gelatin mix
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
- 24–30 chocolate kiss candies, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and mix well.
- Beat in the strawberry gelatin mix until evenly combined and pink.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture to form a soft dough.
- Roll the dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Press a small indentation into the center of each dough ball using your thumb or the back of a teaspoon.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are set and slight cracks appear. Let the cookies cool for 2-3 minutes on the baking sheet.
- Press a chocolate kiss into the center of each warm cookie. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week.
- For longer storage, freeze the cookies for up to three months.
- Almond extract is optional but enhances the strawberry flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: strawberry kiss cookies, pink cookies, Valentine’s Day cookies, strawberry gelatin cookies, chocolate kiss cookies
Great strawberry flavor! The down side of these cookies is if you don’t refrigerate the dough, they are flat. I replaced the reg kisses with the strawberry jam filled ones. Will make again but will play with the recipe a bit to get a fluffier cookie.
★★★
I would use 3/4 cup butter which is a more standard ratio to 2 cups flour. I did refrigerate the dough, made per the recipe, and the cookies still flattened out. Then I went back and did my research. 🙂
Totally flat☹️An I refrigerated them first
★★
Cookies are delicious. I did try refrigerating the dough for several hours, they came out with more crinkles, but were still flat.
★★★
I should have read the comments before I made these cookies. They have a very nice flavor with the strawberry and almond, but they are so flat!
★★★
The cookie we not plump like in all the pictures. They spread somewhat flat so did not make a great presentation with the kiss in the middle. The taste was fine but if making these for Valentine’s Day they have to look great too!
★★