Description
Peppermint Kiss Cookies are festive, buttery cookies topped with classic Candy Cane Hershey Kisses. These delightful holiday treats combine a soft sugar cookie base with a hint of vanilla and a signature peppermint chocolate kiss, perfect for Christmas parties or gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons milk
- extra sugar for rolling the dough
Toppings
- 36 Hershey Kisses (Candy Cane flavor), unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Prepare kisses: Remove all wrappers from the 36 Candy Cane Hershey Kisses and set them aside for topping the cookies after baking.
- Cream butter and sugar: Using a hand or stand mixer, cream together the room temperature unsalted butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning through the flour.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Alternately add the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, mixing just until all ingredients are incorporated to create a smooth cookie dough.
- Shape dough balls: Line a cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in extra sugar to coat before placing them evenly spaced on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned, indicating the cookies are set but still soft in the center. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 3 minutes.
- Add kisses: Immediately after removing from the oven, gently press one unwrapped Candy Cane Hershey Kiss into the center of each cookie so it adheres while the cookie is warm.
- Cool completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely, allowing the kisses to set firm while the cookies finish baking through.
Notes
- For best results, ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- Do not overmix the dough once flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- Rolling dough balls in sugar adds a nice texture and sparkle to the cookie surface.
- Press the kisses into the cookies while they are warm so they stick properly without cracking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze baked cookies without the kisses and add kisses after thawing and warming slightly.
