Christmas Kiss Cookies Treat

This Christmas Kiss Cookies recipe is the showstopper your holiday cookie tray has been missing, offering incredibly soft, buttery, and deeply chocolaty treats finished with a sparkling touch for your next festive gathering. You only need 25 minutes of prep and just one bowl, making these Christmas cookies a must-have for any holiday dessert spread or last minute baking need. Whether you’re making a Christmas cookie box or impressing at a cookie swap, these peppermint kiss cookies always steal the spotlight among classic Christmas desserts.

I first tried these Christmas Kiss Cookies when my youngest asked for something extra magical for the class cookie swap, and they have earned a permanent place at our holiday table ever since. Every batch brings memories of the kids arguing over who gets the last peppermint kiss, and the dense, rich center topped with a creamy chocolate hug always delights at Christmas baking time. These cookies never fail to draw compliments at exchanges, making them a true crowd pleaser and family favorite for festive seasons.

Gather Your Ingredients

• All-purpose flour for Christmas Kiss Cookies: Essential for building the soft, chewy structure; high quality flour gives best texture, and you can use cup for cup gluten free blends if needed
• Unsweetened dark cocoa powder: Provides rich chocolate flavor and a dramatic color; opt for Dutch process or black cocoa for an even deeper hue and a touch more intensity
• Salt: Brightens sweetness and balances flavors, preventing the cookies from tasting flat
• Unsalted butter, softened: Key for the melt in your mouth crumb; high quality European style butter gives the softest, richest texture, or use plant based butter for dairy free
• Granulated sugar: Adds perfect sweetness and helps the cookies spread evenly; superfine sugar creates an even tenderer result
• Egg yolk, at room temperature: Makes the dough silkier and richer; substitute one tablespoon of full fat Greek yogurt if out of eggs
• Milk or cream: Adds moisture and keeps texture tender; use whole milk or half and half for best mouthfeel
• Pure vanilla extract: Brings essential cookie flavor and aroma; Bourbon or homemade vanilla extracts give a gourmet upgrade
• Holiday nonpareils and jimmies: Create the classic festive look and a gentle crunch; swap for crushed candy canes or drizzle with white chocolate as a twist
• Hershey’s Hugs or Kisses candies: Crowns each cookie for a melty center; select peppermint for Christmas, or dark chocolate for cocoa lovers

How to Make Christmas Kiss Cookies

Prep and Preheat for Holiday Baking:

Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to offer space for even heat circulation, preventing sticking and creating crisp, golden bottoms that help the cookies keep their festive shape.

Mix Dry Ingredients for Rich Chocolate Flavor:

In a medium bowl, whisk together all purpose flour, unsweetened dark cocoa, and salt until the mixture is deeply brown and homogeneous. This blending ensures even chocolate flavor and eliminates dry streaks that can affect texture and color.

Cream Butter and Sugar to Fluffy Perfection:

Beat softened unsalted butter on medium high for about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl to incorporate fully. Gradually mix in the granulated sugar and continue beating for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is thick and fluffy, laying the foundation for a melt in your mouth crumb and tender interior.

Add Wet Ingredients for Silky Dough:

Beat in egg yolk, milk or cream, and vanilla on low at first to combine, then increase speed until just incorporated. The dough should look smooth and slightly sticky, mimicking rich brownie batter; add a bit of extra milk if too dry.

Combine and Chill for Easy Shaping:

Slowly blend dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until no streaks remain. Take care not to overmix, preserving tenderness. Wrap the dough or cover the bowl, chilling for at least 30 minutes to make shaping easier and help cookies keep their vibrant, puffy shape during baking.

Roll Dough Balls and Coat in Sprinkles:

Scoop tablespoon sized amounts of dough, rolling each into a one inch ball. Press balls into holiday colored nonpareils and jimmies so the surfaces are fully coated, which provides crunch and brilliant color pop after baking.

Bake to Soft Perfection:

Arrange the balls a few inches apart on parchment. Bake at 350°F for 11 to 13 minutes, until the tops appear set and edges turn slightly matte. Cookies should be slightly underdone in center for that signature chewy texture as they cool.

Add Hershey’s Kiss While Warm:

Right as the cookies come from the oven, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss or Hug into each center. The residual heat melts the base just enough to hold the candy in place and add a visually stunning finish. Let cool in pan to set completely, which prevents the kisses from sliding off or losing shape.

Store and Serve for Maximum Freshness:

Once cookies are fully cooled, transfer them to an airtight container. These cookies keep well at room temperature up to one week or can be frozen up to one month for longer storage, perfect for making ahead for Christmas cookie exchanges or gifting.

Watching my kids roll dough balls in piles of bright jimmies and nonpareils has become a cherished family tradition every December. Using peppermint kisses creates a minty burst that instantly recalls snowy mornings and the flavors of the holidays. Thanks to their vibrant topping and super soft crumb, these easy Christmas cookies always disappear first from any dessert tray or cookie exchange box.

Smart Swaps and Variations

This classic Christmas cookie recipe is easy to personalize with favorite flavors and dietary tweaks. Swap gluten free flour blends one to one for all purpose to enjoy a gluten free batch, or use vegan butter and dairy free chocolates for a dairy free version that tastes just as rich. Incorporate crushed candy canes for a fun peppermint twist or use other candy centers like peanut butter cups or caramel for flavor variety year round. Around Valentine’s or Easter, colored sprinkles make these cookies festive for any occasion.

How to Store and Reheat Christmas Kiss Cookies

Keep Christmas Kiss Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, with wax paper or parchment layers if stacking to protect the kisses. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a sturdy container for up to one month, thawing them at room temperature while still covered to prevent moisture on the chocolate. To refresh baked cookies, place on a baking sheet and warm in a 275°F oven for four to five minutes before serving to revive the soft crumb and creamy kiss center.

What to Serve with Christmas Kiss Cookies

These peppermint kiss cookies shine on their own but are also right at home on a holiday dessert table paired with rich hot cocoa or chilled peppermint mocha drinks. Add to a Christmas cookie box alongside biscotti or gingerbread for a show stopping cookie assortment, or use as colorful Christmas gifts by packing in cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon. Serve with mugs of cocoa for cozy family nights or on a dessert charcuterie board to delight guests at winter parties.

Nutritional Benefits

While Christmas Kiss Cookies are a celebration treat, they offer a nut free, vegetarian friendly option for holiday baking that suits most guests. The classic sugar cookie base and cocoa powder provide a quick energy boost and a surprising amount of antioxidant content for a holiday dessert. Each serving includes a mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats, making them a satisfying splurge that adds joy and flavor to the Christmas season.

Recipe Success Tips

If your dough is too soft or sticky to shape easily, simply chill it for longer to make rolling a breeze and maintain cookie structure during baking. Always add Hershey’s Kisses while cookies are hot to guarantee proper melting and candy adhesion for the perfect look. Store unwrapped kisses at room temperature before using so they soften just enough when placed on the cookies.

There’s something magical about filling the kitchen with the aroma of buttery, chocolate Christmas Kiss Cookies on a wintry afternoon. Enjoy baking and sharing this festive favorite, and let these melt in your mouth holiday treats bring extra joy to your celebrations this year!

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ Can I use Hershey’s Kisses instead of Hugs for the center?

Yes, both Hershey’s Kisses and Hugs work well as the chocolate center. Choose your preferred flavor for a personalized touch.

→ How long do Christmas Kiss Cookies stay fresh?

These cookies stay fresh up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

→ What kind of sprinkles should I use for decorating?

Holiday-themed nonpareils and jimmies add festive color and texture, but any decorative sprinkles can be used for a creative look.

→ Can the dough be made ahead and refrigerated?

Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes or overnight to make handling and shaping easier before baking.

→ Are these suitable for a cookie exchange or gift boxes?

Absolutely! Their festive appearance and delicious flavor make them a hit in Christmas cookie exchanges and holiday treat boxes.

→ Can I freeze baked Kiss Cookies?

Yes, baked cookies can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving for best taste and texture.