If you’re craving a festive and irresistible treat, these Cherry Kiss Cookies deliver delicious cherry-chocolate flavor in every bite. Cherry Kiss Cookies are tender, buttery shortbread-style cookies filled with juicy maraschino cherries and topped with a chocolate Hershey’s Kiss. Whether you’re baking for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or just a fun weekend dessert, this recipe turns simple ingredients into something special with cherry sweetness and comforting texture that everyone will love.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Cherry Kiss Cookies
Cherry Kiss Cookies shine because of their perfect balance of soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and bright cherry flavor. These cherry cookies are slightly pink, sweet, and studded with chopped maraschino cherries, then crowned with a chocolate Hershey’s Kiss right after baking. The combination of cherry and chocolate makes them an ideal choice for holiday cookie plates, classroom treats, or cozy nights with a glass of milk.
What You’ll Need for Cherry Kiss Cookies
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender texture.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: Gives a smooth, delicate sweetness that keeps these cookies soft.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
• Maraschino Cherry Juice: Adds authentic cherry flavor and helps tint the dough.
• Almond Extract: Enhances the cherry notes with a subtle almond aroma.
• Red Food Coloring (Optional): For a brighter pink hue.
• All-Purpose Flour: Builds structure for tender cookies.
• Chopped Maraschino Cherries: Pockets of juicy cherry in every bite.
• Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses: Classic milk chocolate that finishes each cookie perfectly.
Ingredient Swaps and Variations
If you want to customize your Cherry Kiss Cookies, here are a few ideas: use dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses for a richer chocolate taste, or try cherry-filled chocolate kisses for a more intense cherry experience. For a gluten-free version, replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
How to Make Cherry Kiss Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt together on low speed until combined. Increase to medium speed and cream until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the maraschino cherry juice, almond extract, and red food coloring (if using). Beat until mixed throughout.
- On low speed, mix in the chopped maraschino cherries.
- Gradually beat in the all-purpose flour until the dough just comes together.
- Scoop 1.5-tablespoon dough balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the bottoms are just beginning to turn light golden brown.
- Remove cookies from the oven and immediately press an unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. The cookie edges might crack slightly — that’s normal.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Cherry Kiss Cookies
• Dry the Cherries: Pat chopped maraschino cherries dry before adding to the dough to prevent excess moisture.
• Chill the Kisses: Refrigerating the Hershey’s Kisses before baking helps them keep their shape when placed on warm cookies.
• Even Size Dough Balls: Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform cookie size for even baking.
• Don’t Overmix: Once flour is added, mix just until combined to keep the cookies tender.
Serving Suggestions and Storage
Cherry Kiss Cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk, hot cocoa, or your favorite coffee drink. Serve them on a holiday cookie tray or bring them to parties for a cheerful sweet treat. To store, keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies with parchment paper between layers or freeze dough balls and bake later.
Fun Variations for Cherry Kiss Cookies
For a playful twist, press different flavored Hershey’s Kisses into your cookies — white chocolate or dark chocolate work especially well. You can also add a sprinkle of colored sanding sugar on top before baking for extra sparkle. For Valentine’s Day, heart-shaped sprinkles make these even more festive.
Best Occasions to Bake Cherry Kiss Cookies
These Cherry Kiss Cookies are ideal for holiday celebrations, cookie exchanges, family gatherings, or any time you want a homemade cookie that’s as fun to bake as it is to eat. Their beautiful pink hue and classic cherry-chocolate combo make them a memorable treat year-round.
Conclusion
Cherry Kiss Cookies are the kind of treat that instantly brightens any dessert table. With their soft, buttery texture, pops of sweet cherry, and a classic chocolate kiss on top, these cookies deliver both comfort and charm in every bite. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a party, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, Cherry Kiss Cookies offer an easy way to create something that feels special without being complicated. Their beautiful color, balanced cherry-chocolate flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth crumb make them a recipe you’ll come back to again and again. Once you make a batch, it’s easy to see why Cherry Kiss Cookies have become a favorite for home bakers who love simple, reliable, and festive desserts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Kiss Cookies
How do I keep Cherry Kiss Cookies soft?
To keep Cherry Kiss Cookies soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature once they are completely cooled. Placing a piece of bread in the container can help maintain moisture and prevent the cookies from drying out. Avoid refrigerating the baked cookies, as cold air can make them firm and dull the cherry flavor.
Can I make Cherry Kiss Cookies ahead of time?
Yes, Cherry Kiss Cookies are great for making ahead. You can prepare the dough up to two days in advance and keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes so it’s easier to scoop. Baked cookies can also be frozen for several weeks and thawed at room temperature.
Why did my Cherry Kiss Cookies spread too much?
Cherry Kiss Cookies may spread if the butter is too soft or if the chopped cherries add excess moisture. Make sure to pat the cherries dry before mixing them into the dough. If your kitchen is warm, chilling the dough for 20 to 30 minutes before baking can help the cookies hold their shape.
Can I use different chocolates instead of Hershey’s Kisses?
Absolutely. While classic milk chocolate kisses are traditional, Cherry Kiss Cookies are delicious with dark chocolate, white chocolate, or cherry-filled chocolate candies. You can even use chocolate hearts or seasonal chocolates to match holidays and special occasions.
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Cherry Kiss Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cherry Kiss Cookies are soft, buttery cherry-flavored cookies made with chopped maraschino cherries and topped with a classic chocolate kiss. They are festive, tender, and perfect for holidays, cookie exchanges, or anytime you want a sweet cherry-chocolate treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (60 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)
- 2 1/4 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries, well drained and patted dry
- 24 Hershey’s milk chocolate kisses, 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, confectioners’ sugar, and salt on low speed until combined, then increase to medium speed and cream until light and fluffy.
- Add the maraschino cherry juice, almond extract, and red food coloring if using. Mix until evenly combined.
- Mix in the chopped maraschino cherries on low speed.
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour and mix just until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop the dough into about 1 1/2 tablespoon portions and roll gently into balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the bottoms are just lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Pat the chopped cherries very dry to prevent excess moisture in the dough.
- Chilling the chocolate kisses helps them keep their shape when pressed into warm cookies.
- Do not overbake; these cookies should stay pale on top for a soft texture.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
