Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
These strawberry kiss cookies are an exciting twist on traditional thumbprint cookies. Soft in texture, with a buttery dough, the slight sweetness of strawberry, and right in the middle, nice and chocolaty.
Their bright pink color and sprinkle of powdered sugar make them not just tasty but cute, too.
This will be the best treat for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or just a good day to bake. Here’s a closer look at how these niceties are made, along with all the hints and tips that will make them perfect the first time and every time.
What you see in the photos didn’t happen on my first try! I tested and tweaked this recipe multiple times to get the best balance of flavor and texture. If your first batch isn’t picture-perfect, don’t worry—small adjustments (like chilling the dough longer or tweaking ingredients slightly) can make a big difference!
The Story Behind Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Growing up, baking days with my grandmother were always the highlight of my week. She would bake anything simple, using the most ordinary ingredients, and make them into something special.
The thing that would remind me of those afternoon mixings, rolling, and stealing some dough bits when she was not looking would be the strawberry kiss cookies.
This recipe takes all those memories and puts them into one with the addition of a modern twist of using strawberry-flavored gelatin for a pink, strawberry-kissed dough that looks as good as it tastes.
And whenever I bake them, I am reminded of hot kitchens filled with the sound of riotous guffaws, flour, and that sweet, warm, sugary smell of a treat.
Ingredients That Make These Cookies Irresistible
Strawberry kiss cookies have a unique ingredient lineup that gives them both their flavor and beautiful color. Here’s a closer look at each ingredient and why it matters:
Butter: Softened unsalted butter makes the dough rich and tender. Creaming it well with the sugar is key to getting that soft, fluffy texture in each bite. Try Kerrygold Butter for extra flavor, though any unsalted butter works.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the cookies hold their shape. The sugar also helps create the slight cracks around the edges as the cookies bake, giving them a homemade look.
Egg: The egg brings everything together, adding moisture and richness.
Vanilla & Almond Extract: Vanilla adds warmth, while almond extract (optional but recommended) enhances the strawberry flavor, giving it a sweet, nutty aroma that complements the chocolate.
Strawberry Gelatin Mix: This adds the strawberry flavor and that signature pink color. Gelatin mix is a clever addition that gives these cookies their unique look and taste.
Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt: The dry ingredients help the cookies rise slightly, giving them a soft yet structured texture. A precise measure with a Digital Kitchen Scale helps.
Chocolate Kiss Candies: The crowning jewel of each cookie, these kisses soften slightly when pressed into the warm cookies, adding an irresistible chocolate touch.
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide
These cookies-strawberry kiss cookies-are a breeze to make and a lot of fun. Herein is how to get the right mix of taste, feel, and look.
Preparing the Dough
Start by creaming the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process usually takes 2-3 minutes and is essential for creating the delicate texture of the cookies.
Adding the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you’re using it) helps bind everything together and infuses the dough with a lovely aroma.
Mix the wet ingredients well, then comes the special part: adding the strawberry gelatin mix. This will turn the dough into a nice pink color and give it that light strawberry taste these cookies are so unique for.
Once the gelatin is completely mixed, add the dry ingredients-slowly-flour, baking powder, and salt-until you have a soft, partially pink dough ready for shaping.
Shaping the Cookies
To assemble the cookies, take a rounded tablespoon of dough and round into a smooth ball. Place each onto a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about two inches between each cookie to allow for slight spreading in the oven.
Make the signature thumbprint shape in the center of each dough ball by lightly pressing down with your thumb or the back of a teaspoon. A little twist as you press down makes for a smooth, rounded dip. You want it deep enough, but not to pass through to the bottom of the cookie since this is where the chocolate kiss will go later.
Baking to Perfection
Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F 175°C for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set and faint cracks just beginning to appear around the edges. The cookies should still feel very slightly soft to the touch; this ensures they remain tender even after they cool. Let them stay on the baking sheet for a few minutes before the final, delicious step.
A Finishing Touch: Dusting with Powdered Sugar
After the cookies cool down, sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top. This makes every cookie look really nice and festive, excellent for special occasions, or maybe just comforting and warming teatime.
Adding the Chocolate Kiss
When the cookies are just cool enough yet still warm, push a chocolate kiss candy into the middle of each cookie. The heat from the cookie will soften the chocolate kiss enough that it will stick in without fully melting.
This is an important step, and it is fun because every bit of the cookie combines just right with the mixture of strawberry and chocolate.
Info Provided
These will make approximately 24 to 30 cookies, all depending on the size of the cookies. Prep time is about 20 minutes, and bake time is only 10-12 minutes, so they’re pretty easy. At only 120 calories per cookie, these are a nice little treat for any sweet-tooth kinda person.
Expert Tips for Perfect Strawberry Kiss Cookies
If your cookies don’t turn out exactly like the photos on the first try, don’t worry! I baked many batches before perfecting this version. Chilling the dough properly and measuring ingredients accurately can make a big difference. Small adjustments, like adding a little extra flour or chilling longer, can will with texture and shape.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Room-temperature butter and egg mix more smoothly, resulting in a softer, better-textured dough.
Make Clean Indentations: Twisting your thumb or spoon as you press down in the dough creates a neater, smoother shape for the chocolate kiss.
Avoid Overbaking: Take the cookies out just as they start to firm up around the edges. They’ll continue to set on the baking sheet, giving them a perfect, tender texture.
Cool Before Dusting: Wait until the chocolate kiss and cookies have fully cooled before adding powdered sugar. This prevents the sugar from melting into the chocolate.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are great on their own but also pair amazingly with other treats. Just serve them on top of a dessert platter with some chocolate-dipped strawberries, or put them all together with a batch of chocolate and vanilla cookies for a pretty stack of colors. Stack them up in a clear jar or box for a present that’s great for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or any holiday.
How These Baking Tools Changed My Cookie Routine
I rely on a Mixing Bowl Set to keep wet and dry ingredients separated, which prevents clutter on my counter. The extra bowls help me move from one step to the next without tangles of flour and sugar.
I use a Hand Mixer or my KitchenAid Artisan whenever I need a smooth dough. My arms used to ache after stirring heavy butter and sugar by hand. These machines handle that chore and save me from fatigue.
A Rubber Spatula has become my go-to tool for scraping every corner of the bowl. I avoid the waste I once accepted when batter clung to the sides. Every spoonful now lands in the mixing bowl instead of the sink.
A Cookie Scoop changed how my cookies bake. Each portion comes out uniform, so the entire tray looks neat. I see even browning and consistent texture with every batch.
I bake on a Sturdy Baking Sheet lined with Parchment Paper or a Silicone Baking Mat. This setup stops dough from clinging to the pan and cuts down on cleaning time.
A Wire Cooling Rack completes the process. The cookies rest above the countertop, which allows air to move underneath. This step keeps them from turning soggy, so they stay light and fresh.
See You in the Kitchen
If you’re looking for cookies that are adorable and delectable, these strawberry kiss cookies just make any person smile. Bright pink in color, soft, and with a chocolate middle-yummy! Fun to bake and give away.
Have any of you tried these strawberry kiss cookies or another type where you just can’t get your fix? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below! Also save this recipe for when the mood is just right and add it to your holiday dessert board.