The first time you bite into a soft, buttery cookie crowned with a sweet-tart strawberry kiss, something just clicks. Strawberry Kiss Cookies are tender, pale pink, and impossibly simplepress a candy into the center and you’re halfway to magic.
I tested these back in spring 2019 when I was experimenting with fruit-flavored baking beyond the usual chocolate chips. The trick is pulling them from the oven exactly when the edges set but the centers still look underdonethat’s what keeps them melt-in-your-mouth soft. After blogging for over a decade, I’ve learned that timing beats perfection every time.
PrintStrawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe Easy and Irresistible
These Strawberry Kiss Cookies offer a delightful combination of soft buttery dough and sweet strawberry flavor, topped with a classic chocolate kiss. They are perfect for any occasion and quick to prepare with simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 box 15.25 oz strawberry cake mix
- 8 tablespoons 1/2 cup butter melted and slightly cooled
- 1 large egg
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- Optional powdered sugar or pink granulated sugar
- 30 chocolate Hershey’s Kisses unwrapped
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, blend the strawberry cake mix with melted butter and egg until smooth.
- Stir in the softened cream cheese until the mixture becomes thick and fully combined.
- Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
- Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Form the dough into tablespoon-sized portions and roll them in powdered sugar or pink sugar if desired; otherwise place plain onto the baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, allowing edges to set while centers remain soft.
- Let the cookies cool for 1 to 2 minutes before gently pressing a chocolate kiss into the middle of each.
- Move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chilling the dough prevents spreading and keeps cookies thick
- Expect light cracking when adding the chocolate kiss
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days
Nutrition
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cookies deliver that nostalgic bakery softness with hardly any effortjust a few pantry staples and one chill session in the fridge. The strawberry cake mix gives you a gentle pink hue and fruity sweetness, while cream cheese keeps the crumb tender and almost cloud-like.
What makes them really special is the surprise chocolate kiss pressed into each warm cookie. The contrast between sweet berry dough and rich chocolate feels like Valentine’s Day in cookie form, but they work beautifully year-round for birthdays, bake sales, or a quiet afternoon treat with tea.
- Beginner-friendly: No mixers or rolling pins required.
- Quick assembly: Just 10 minutes of active prep.
- Crowd-pleaser: Kids and adults both reach for seconds.
Key Ingredients & What They Do
The ingredient list is short, but each item plays a specific role in texture and flavor. Starting with a strawberry cake mix simplifies the recipeit already contains sugar, leavening, and that soft berry taste, so you’re building on a solid base rather than measuring from scratch.
Melted butter adds richness and helps the dough come together quickly. Cream cheese is the secret to that melt-in-your-mouth quality; it keeps the cookies soft even after they cool. One egg binds everything, and the chocolate kisses provide that classic centerpiece and flavor contrast.
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Strawberry cake mix | Flavor, structure, and color |
| Butter (melted) | Richness and binding |
| Cream cheese | Soft, tender crumb |
| Egg | Holds dough together |
| Chocolate kisses | Sweet, decorative topping |
| Powdered or pink sugar | Optional coating for texture |
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Start by whisking together your cake mix, melted butter, and egg until you have a smooth batter. Add the softened cream cheese and stir until the dough thickens and pulls away from the bowl slightly. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hourthis firms up the dough so it doesn’t spread too much in the oven.
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls, roll them in sugar if you like, and space them evenly. Bake for 8–10 minutes until the edges look set but the centers still appear soft and slightly underdone. Let them rest for a minute or two, then gently press a chocolate kiss into each center while they’re still warm.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the chill timeit’s what keeps these cookies thick and prevents flat, crispy edges.
Simple Swaps & Tweaks
If strawberry cake mix isn’t handy, try vanilla or white cake mix with a few drops of strawberry extract. You can also swap the chocolate kisses for white chocolate or even caramel-filled candies for a different flavor twist.
| Swap This | For This |
|---|---|
| Strawberry cake mix | Vanilla cake mix + strawberry extract |
| Chocolate kisses | White chocolate or caramel kisses |
| Powdered sugar | Pink or white granulated sugar |
| Butter | Coconut oil (melted, same measure) |
For a fun presentation, use pink sanding sugar before baking or dust finished cookies with extra powdered sugar once they’ve cooled completely.
Serving & Storage Tips
Serve these cookies on a pretty plate for brunch, pack them in lunchboxes, or wrap a few in cellophane for sweet homemade gifts. They pair beautifully with iced coffee, hot cocoa, or a simple glass of cold milk.
Store your cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Layering parchment between stacks helps prevent the kisses from sticking. If you need to make them ahead, the dough can be refrigerated overnight before scooping and baking fresh the next day.
Note: These cookies taste best within the first two days when the texture is still pillowy soft.
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FAQs ( Strawberry Kiss Cookies )
Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Fresh strawberries work best for optimal texture and flavor. If using frozen, thaw completely and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This prevents the cookies from becoming soggy during baking.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their soft texture.
What type of chocolate kisses work best?
Classic milk chocolate kisses are traditional, but dark chocolate or white chocolate versions work wonderfully too. Press them gently into warm cookies immediately after baking for the perfect seal without cracking.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before rolling into balls. This actually improves the flavor development.
Ensure your butter isn’t too warm and chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. Also check that your baking soda is fresh and your oven temperature is accurate with an oven thermometer.
You’ll love how these Strawberry Kiss Cookies come together in just over an hoursoft, pillowy centers with that sweet chocolate surprise pressed right in. The edges stay tender for days, and the pink hue makes them instantly cheerful on any table.
If you want a little extra sparkle, try rolling the dough in pink sanding sugar before bakingit catches the light beautifully. For a flavor twist, swap in white chocolate kisses or add a tiny pinch of almond extract to the dough. Store them between sheets of parchment to keep the chocolate from smudging, and if you’re gifting a batch, tuck them into a clear bag tied with ribbon. A trick worth trying: slightly underbake them so they stay cloud-soft even on day three.
I’d love to see your versiontag me if you snap a photo, or tell me in the comments what kiss flavor you chose. Did you make these for a birthday, a bake sale, or just because? Either way, I hope they bring a little sweetness to your kitchen and maybe inspire someone you love to bake alongside you. Save this recipe and share it with a friend who adores pretty, simple cookies.
