Strawberry Kiss Cookies – Soft, Sweet & Irresistible Treat

The smell of melted chocolate and strawberries fills the kitchen, soft music hums in the background, and everything feels a little sweeter. These Strawberry Kiss Cookies come together in minutes with cake mix and a frozen chocolate truffle in the center. They’re pink, playful, and perfect for Valentine’s Day or anytime you want a cookie that looks as good as it tastes.

Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Kiss Cookies

A Festive Valentine’s Day Treat

These cookies practically wear their hearts on their sleeves. Their rosy pink color and soft, chewy centers make them ideal for gifting or sharing on Valentine’s Day. They’re also a fun baking project for friends or family gatherings.

Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

You only need one bowl and a few basic ingredients cake mix, butter, cream cheese, and a hint of strawberry extract. The mix delivers that nostalgic, strawberry-sweet flavor without any fuss.

Perfect Soft-and-Chewy Texture

Each cookie has a tender crumb that melts on your tongue. The cream cheese adds a subtle richness, while the frozen chocolate kiss at the center stays intact and creamy.

What Are Strawberry Kiss Cookies?

How Cake Mix Cookies Work

Cake mix cookies use dry cake mix as the base, giving them an instant flavor boost. The butter and egg replace traditional cake ingredients, creating a denser, chewier texture that still bakes up soft.

Flavor and Texture Profile

These cookies taste like chocolate-dipped strawberries in bite-size form. The strawberry dough is sweet, buttery, and slightly tangy from the cream cheese, while the truffle center adds smooth, rich chocolate flavor.

When to Serve Them

They’re great for Valentine’s Day, baby showers, birthday parties, or even tucked inside a cookie box next to soft gingerbread cookies perfect for holiday gifting.

Ingredient Breakdown

Strawberry Cake Mix and Strawberry Extract

The cake mix gives these cookies both structure and flavor. The strawberry extract enhances that flavor for a more natural, fruity aroma.

Butter, Egg, and Cream Cheese

Melted butter creates moisture and richness. The egg binds everything together, while the softened cream cheese gives the dough a creamy, smooth texture.

Pink Sanding Sugar

This adds sparkle and a slight crunch. It also helps the cookies hold their round shape as they bake.

Chocolate Truffle Hershey’s Kisses

Freeze the kisses before baking. The cold centers prevent them from melting too much when pressed into the warm cookies.

Nutrition Facts (per cookie): 104 calories, 8g fat, 4g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 20mg cholesterol, 40mg sodium, 8g carbs, 7g sugar, and 1g protein.

How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies

Step 1 – Prep the Kisses

Unwrap 48 chocolate truffle Hershey’s Kisses and freeze them for at least 30 minutes. This step keeps the centers firm after baking.

Step 2 – Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, melted butter, egg, and strawberry extract. Mix until a thick dough forms. Then blend in the softened cream cheese until smooth.

Step 3 – Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl and chill the dough for at least an hour. This step helps reduce stickiness and keeps the cookies from spreading.

Step 4 – Shape and Coat

Scoop the dough into 48 portions. Roll each portion in pink sanding sugar and place 12 dough balls per tray.

Step 5 – Bake and Add the Kiss

Bake at 350°F for 8 minutes. Let them cool on the baking tray for 2 minutes. Then press a frozen kiss into each warm cookie. Let them cool completely before storing.

Yield, Prep Time, and Baking Time Notes

This recipe makes 48 cookies. The total prep time includes at least one hour of chilling. Each batch bakes for about 8 minutes.

Tips for Perfect Strawberry Kiss Cookies

Preventing Melted Kisses

Always freeze the chocolate kisses before using. This trick keeps them glossy and intact after baking.

Handling Soft Dough

If the dough feels too sticky, chill it a bit longer or lightly dust your hands with powdered sugar.

Getting Even, Uniform Cookies

Use a small cookie scoop for consistent sizing. Even cookies bake evenly and look beautiful when plated.

Avoiding Overbaking

Remove cookies while they’re still soft. They’ll continue to set as they cool, giving you that perfect chewy texture.

Storage and Freezer Guide

Storing at Room Temperature

Keep cookies in an airtight container for 4–5 days. A piece of parchment between layers helps them stay neat.

Freezing and Thawing

Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

Appearance Changes After Freezing

The chocolate centers may lighten in color but won’t lose flavor.

Variations and Customization Ideas

Different Kiss Flavors

Try dark chocolate, cookies-and-cream, or caramel-filled kisses for fun variations.

Alternative Sugars or Coatings

Swap pink sanding sugar for red, white, or gold sanding sugar for different holidays.

Color Adjustments for Holidays and Themes

Add a few drops of red food coloring for a deeper hue or pastel sanding sugar for spring celebrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Such Recipes

• chewy chocolate chip cookies with a classic flavor twist
• chocolate no-bake cookies for a quick treat
• pumpkin cheesecake cookies for a seasonal dessert idea
• churro cheesecake bars with a cinnamon sugar crust
• classic pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for fall baking
• apple pie bites with crescent roll crust

Conclusion

Baking these Strawberry Kiss Cookies is pure joy. They’re simple, sweet, and made for sharing. Whether you’re gifting them for Valentine’s Day or just craving something cheerful, they deliver big flavor in a small, sparkly package. For more easy dessert inspiration, check out my latest ideas on Pinterest and follow along on Facebook.

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