Name: Hershey Kiss Cookies: Grandma's 3-Step Recipe!
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped

Jump to Recipe

Okay, friends, let’s talk about Hershey Kiss Cookies! Seriously, is there anything more classic? This recipe? It’s ridiculously easy. Even if you’re, like, not a baker, trust me, you can nail these. I’ve been making these Hershey Kiss Cookies since I was a kid, helping my grandma in the kitchen. I remember sneaking extra Kisses when she wasn’t looking! It’s a simple recipe, but the taste? Pure comfort. Plus, everyone loves ’em, right? They disappear FAST. So, let’s get baking!

Hershey Kiss Cookies - detail 1

Why You’ll Love These Hershey Kiss Cookies

Quick and Easy Hershey Kiss Cookies

Look, I get it. Baking can be intimidating. But these Hershey Kiss Cookies? They’re practically foolproof! Seriously, if you can cream butter and sugar, you’re golden. No fancy techniques here, just simple, delicious cookies. I promise!

Classic Flavor Combination in Hershey Kiss Cookies

Chocolate and cookies…need I say more? Okay, I will! The soft, sweet cookie paired with that iconic Hershey’s Kiss is just chef’s kiss. It’s a flavor combo that’s been a hit for generations, and for good reason. It just works, y’know?

Perfect Hershey Kiss Cookies for Any Occasion

These Hershey Kiss Cookies? Total crowd-pleasers. Holiday parties? Check! Birthday celebrations? Double-check! Just need a little something sweet on a Tuesday afternoon? You betcha! They’re perfect anytime, anywhere. Seriously, make a batch…they won’t last long!

Ingredients for Hershey Kiss Cookies

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! For these Hershey Kiss Cookies, you’ll need: 1/2 cup (that’s one stick!) of unsalted butter, softened – important, don’t melt it! Then, grab 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of packed light brown sugar (pack it in!), one large egg, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. For the dry stuff, you’ll need 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. And, of course, the stars of the show: Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped! Make sure you have enough… maybe grab a few extra for “quality control,” wink wink!

How to Make Hershey Kiss Cookies: Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Dough for Hershey Kiss Cookies

Okay, first things first: preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Don’t skip this! Now, in a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Get it nice and fluffy – this is key! Then, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix! Overmixing = tough cookies, and nobody wants that.

Shaping and Baking Your Hershey Kiss Cookies

Time to get your hands a little dirty! Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. I like to use a small cookie scoop to keep them uniform, but eyeballing works too! Place the balls on an ungreased baking sheet – or use parchment paper for easy cleanup! Bake for 8-10 minutes. You want the edges lightly golden. Keep an eye on ’em – ovens vary!

Hershey Kiss Cookies - detail 2

Adding the Hershey’s Kiss and Cooling

This is the fun part! As soon as those Hershey Kiss Cookies come out of the oven, immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each one. The warmth will help it stick. Now, resist the urge to eat them all right away (I know, it’s hard!). Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and prevents breakage. Enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Hershey Kiss Cookies

Chill the Dough for Better Hershey Kiss Cookies

Okay, listen up! Chilling the dough? Super important. I know, I know, you wanna get baking NOW. But trust me on this one. Pop that dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. It’ll prevent the Hershey Kiss Cookies from spreading all over the baking sheet and ending up flat. Nobody wants sad, flat cookies!

Don’t Overbake Your Hershey Kiss Cookies

This is a biggie! Overbaked cookies are dry cookies, and we’re going for soft and chewy, right? So, keep a close eye on those Hershey Kiss Cookies in the oven. As soon as the edges are lightly golden, they’re done! Err on the side of slightly underbaked – they’ll continue to set as they cool. You got this!

Variations of Hershey Kiss Cookies

Okay, so you’ve mastered the classic Hershey Kiss Cookies? Awesome! Now, let’s get a little crazy and mix things up! The base recipe is super versatile, so feel free to experiment. My favorite part is trying new flavors!

Use Different Hershey Kiss Flavors

Why stick to plain ol’ milk chocolate? Get adventurous! Caramel-filled Hershey Kisses? Yes, please! Dark chocolate? Ooh la la! Even those seasonal flavors can be fun. Seriously, changing the Kiss changes the whole cookie. It’s like magic!

Add Extracts or Zest to Your Hershey Kiss Cookies

A little almond extract can add a sophisticated touch. Peppermint extract? Hello, holiday season! And don’t even get me started on citrus zest! A little lemon or orange zest brightens everything up. Just a teaspoon or so is all you need. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Storing Your Delicious Hershey Kiss Cookies

Proper Storage for Hershey Kiss Cookies

So, you’ve baked up a batch of these beauties…and somehow, you have leftovers? Wow! Okay, to keep your Hershey Kiss Cookies fresh and yummy, pop ’em in an airtight container. They’ll happily hang out at room temperature for several days. But honestly? They probably won’t last that long!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hershey Kiss Cookies

Can I freeze Hershey Kiss Cookie dough?

You betcha! Freezing Hershey Kiss Cookie dough is a fantastic idea. Just roll the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze ’em solid. Then, pop them into a freezer bag. When you’re ready for cookies, bake straight from frozen – you might need an extra minute or two!

Why are my Hershey Kiss Cookies spreading too much?

Spreading issues? Ugh, the worst! Usually, it’s because the butter was too warm. Make sure it’s softened, not melted! Also, chilling the dough is key (see above!). If all else fails, add a tablespoon or two of flour. That should do the trick!

Can I use a different type of chocolate?

Absolutely! While Hershey’s Kisses are classic, feel free to experiment. Mini peanut butter cups? Yes! Rolos? Even better! Get creative with your chocolate choices. Just make sure they’re unwrapped and ready to go when the cookies come out of the oven!

Nutritional Information for Hershey Kiss Cookies

Okay, quick note: nutrition info can vary a lot depending on ingredients and brands. So, this is just an estimate, okay? Don’t come at me!

Rate This Hershey Kiss Cookies Recipe

So, what’d you think? Loved ’em? Hated ’em? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget to rate the recipe – I wanna hear from you!