Biting into a soft, cocoa-rich cookie topped with a melty Hershey’s Kiss is one of those simple joys that never loses its magic. Chocolate Kiss Cookies have been gracing holiday cookie trays for decades, and for good reason—they’re adorable, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make.
I still remember the first time I made these cookies with my kids. We rolled the dough in sparkling sugar, pressed the kisses in while the cookies were still warm, and ended up with a kitchen that smelled like pure chocolate heaven. For us, baking Chocolate Kiss Cookies is less about the recipe and more about the laughter, sticky fingers, and warm memories that come with them.
So grab your apron—it’s time to make a batch of cookies that are as fun to bake as they are to share!
Chocolate Kiss Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 batch no-spread sugar cookie dough homemade or refrigerated
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder Dutch-processed recommended
- ½ cup coarse sanding sugar or granulated sugar
- 36 Hershey’s Kisses classic or flavored
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix sugar cookie dough with cocoa powder until evenly combined.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop dough into small balls and roll each in coarse sanding sugar.
- Place dough balls on the baking sheet, spaced 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8–9 minutes, until the cookies are puffy and just set.
- Immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Why You’ll Love Chocolate Kiss Cookies
1. A Family-Friendly Baking Project
From rolling the dough in sugar to pressing the chocolate kisses into each cookie, these are perfect for little helpers. Kids feel like part of the process, and the results are instantly rewarding.
2. Festive Yet Fuss-Free
They look fancy enough to bring to a holiday party but only require a handful of ingredients and less than 20 minutes of baking time.
3. Perfect for Gifting
Pack them in a tin with tissue paper or cellophane wrap, and you’ve got a heartfelt homemade gift that screams “made with love.”
4. Adaptable to Every Occasion
Swap in different Hershey’s Kiss flavors—candy cane, dark chocolate, or even caramel—to create seasonal variations.
Ingredients Breakdown (with Substitutions)
- No-Spread Sugar Cookie Dough: You can make your own from scratch or save time with a refrigerated roll. Either way, the cocoa transforms it into a chocolate base.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds depth and richness. Dutch-processed cocoa makes the cookies darker and slightly less acidic.
- Coarse Sanding Sugar: For that glittery holiday look. Substitute with granulated sugar if that’s what you have.
- Hershey’s Kisses: The star of the show! Classic milk chocolate is traditional, but you can experiment with seasonal flavors.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Chocolate Kiss Cookies
1. Prepare the Dough
Mix the sugar cookie dough with cocoa powder until evenly blended. Cover and refrigerate for an hour—this helps the dough firm up so your cookies bake evenly.
2. Shape and Roll
Scoop dough into even balls and roll them in coarse sanding sugar until fully coated. This adds crunch and sparkle.
3. Bake to Perfection
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–9 minutes. They should look puffy but set on the surface.
4. Add the Kiss
Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. The heat will soften the chocolate just enough without melting it completely.
5. Cool and Serve
Let them sit for a few minutes on the baking sheet before moving them to a cooling rack. Then watch them disappear as fast as you made them!
Variations, Storage & Serving Ideas
- Holiday Twist: Use peppermint Hershey’s Kisses and red sanding sugar for Christmas.
- Peanut Butter Lovers: Swap the sugar cookie dough for peanut butter cookie dough.
- Double Chocolate: Roll in cocoa sugar for an extra chocolate punch.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing Tip: Freeze the dough balls (without kisses) for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen and top with kisses as usual.
Q1: Can I make Chocolate Kiss Cookies ahead of time?
Q2: Why did my Hershey’s Kiss melt too much?
Q3: Can I use flavored Hershey’s Kisses?
Q4: How do I keep the cookies from spreading too much?
Cozy Holiday Baking and More Recipes
Chocolate Kiss Cookies are the kind of treat that make your holiday table sparkle, but they’re also timeless enough to enjoy any time of year. For more cozy bakes and festive desserts, you might also love these from my kitchen:
And for even more Christmas and Thanksgiving inspiration:
- Christmas Bar Cookies
- Hot Chocolate Poke Cake
- Christmas Brownie Trees
- Chocolate Orange Cake
- Italian Chocolate Pear Cake
- Candied Almonds
- Cranberry Orange Glazed Turkey Breast
- Garlic Butter Bread Rolls
- Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Truffles
- Chocolate Orange Truffles
- Christmas Nutella Cupcakes
- Crockpot Candy
For holiday updates and more recipe inspiration, don’t forget to connect with me on Pinterest and Facebook.