Description
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are delightful, soft sugar cookies made with a funfetti cookie mix and cream cheese for extra moisture and flavor. Each cookie is topped with a Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kiss, adding a fruity twist and a charming look. These cookies are perfect for celebrations or a sweet treat anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 16 ounce bag Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix
- 4 ounce cream cheese, softened (½ of an 8-ounce package)
- 1 large egg
Coating
- ½ cup pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils
Topping
- 18 Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the correct temperature before baking.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together the Funfetti sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and large egg until fully combined. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
- Prepare Sugar Coating: Place the pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils in a shallow bowl to easily coat the cookie dough balls.
- Scoop and Coat Dough: Use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough balls and drop them into the sugar or non-pareils. Roll them gently until they are evenly coated and then shape them into smooth balls.
- Optional Chilling: If the dough is too sticky to handle, refrigerate or freeze it for 30-60 minutes. This step makes the dough easier to scoop and shape but is not mandatory.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1½ inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-12 minutes or until the cookie edges are set and just beginning to turn golden.
- Add Strawberry Kisses: Let the cookies cool for 3-5 minutes on the baking sheet, then gently press one unwrapped Hershey’s Strawberry Kiss into the center of each cookie.
- Cool or Serve: Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack and allow them to cool completely for best texture. They can also be enjoyed warm if preferred.
Notes
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- You can freeze baked cookies for 2-3 months to preserve freshness.
- Avoid storing cookies while warm to prevent Strawberry Kisses from deforming.
- Chilling the dough or cookies will firm them up but may cause them to dry out; bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
- The sanding sugar helps manage sticky dough, and can be used on hands and cookie scoop to make shaping easier, unlike non-pareils which do not have this effect.
