There’s just something so joyful about soft sugar cookies kissed with an irresistible burst of strawberry sweetness—this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe delivers exactly that. I love how they’re easy to whip up yet fancy enough for any celebration or an everyday treat that feels special.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet & Tangy Twist: The classic sugar cookie dough gets a delightful strawberry upgrade that’s both nostalgic and fresh.
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t have to hunt down anything tricky—funfetti mix and Strawberry Kisses do the heavy lifting.
- Perfect Balance: Soft cookie texture with a slightly crunchy sugar coating, plus that melty kiss on top is irresistible.
- Great for Sharing: These cookies are crowd-pleasers and perfect for gifting or sending kids back to school with something sweet.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe really comes from combining a ready-made funfetti sugar cookie mix with cream cheese, which adds creaminess and tenderness to the dough. Pairing it with pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils gives both flavor and texture, while the iconic Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses bring that pop of color and strawberry goodness.
- Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix: Using a mix speeds up prep and adds sprinkles fun, but feel free to use your favorite homemade dough if preferred.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is key here—it keeps cookies soft and moist, so don’t skip it!
- Large Egg: Binds the dough together and helps create a tender crumb.
- Pink or White Sanding Sugar / Non-pareils: These add tiny crunch and shimmer; sanding sugar also helps tame the sticky dough.
- Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses: The star of the show—make sure you unwrap them right before placing on cookies!
Variations
One of the best things about this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I often swap the sanding sugar for colored sprinkles to match holidays, or sometimes I go bolder with adding a splash of vanilla or almond extract for extra flavor depth.
- Chocolate Chip Addition: I sometimes toss mini chocolate chips right into the dough—my family goes crazy for the combo of strawberry and chocolate!
- Dairy-Free Option: Swap the cream cheese for a vegan cream cheese alternative; just be sure it’s softened well for easy mixing.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free funfetti sugar cookie mix to keep everyone happy without sacrificing taste.
- Seasonal Twists: Add a few drops of natural food coloring or flavored sprinkles to suit birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or summer picnics.
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix Up the Dreamy Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep those cookies from sticking. In your mixing bowl, beat together the funfetti sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and one large egg until everything’s combined into a soft, slightly sticky dough. Honestly, the cream cheese is magical here—it turns what’d normally be a dry dough into something so tender and soft.
Step 2: Scoop, Roll, and Coat
Grab a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop or a small spoon to portion out dough balls. Roll each ball carefully in your pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils, which not only looks pretty but helps with the stickiness. If you find the dough too gummy, don’t worry—just pop it in the fridge or freezer for 30-60 minutes before scooping; that chill time makes rolling so much easier.
Step 3: Bake and Kiss
Space your dough balls about 1½ inches apart on your baking sheet and bake for 8 to 12 minutes, just until the edges look set but the centers still feel soft. Here’s the trick—I like to let the cookies cool for roughly 3 to 5 minutes right on the baking sheet before pressing an unwrapped Strawberry Kiss gently into the center of each cookie. If pressed too soon, the kisses melt and lose their shape, but wait too long and they won’t soften at all. Adjust to your preference!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
- Tackling Sticky Dough: I learned early on that lightly coating your hands and scoop with sanding sugar or even a touch of flour makes all the difference.
- Chill for Success: Refrigerating dough for even just 30 minutes reduces stickiness and helps cookies hold their shape better while baking.
- Timing the Kiss: Press in the strawberry kisses only after cooling for a few minutes to avoid complete melting but still allow gentle softening.
- Avoid Soggy Tops: Don’t cover or seal cookies while warm to keep the kisses intact and prevent moisture buildup.
How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like a simple sprinkle of extra sanding sugar or some tiny edible glitter on top for festive occasions—adds sparkle without overwhelming the strawberry flavor. You could also add a few fresh strawberry slices on the side for an elegant touch when serving.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a cup of herbal tea. For a brunch spread, I serve them alongside yogurt parfaits and fresh fruit for a well-rounded treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I arrange cookies in a circle on a pretty platter with roses or fresh mint leaves tucked around. I’ve also packaged them in clear cellophane bags tied with pastel ribbons for a delightful handmade gift that always impresses.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Strawberry Kiss Cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay fresh for 3 to 4 days. I’ve found keeping the kisses from melting or deforming is much easier if you wait until cookies are fully cool before stacking or covering.
Freezing
Freezing works well if you want to stash these treats for later. I freeze fully baked, cooled cookies in a single layer on a tray first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep their flavor and texture nicely for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To enjoy leftovers warm, pop frozen or refrigerated cookies in a 300°F oven for just a few minutes until they soften but don’t melt the kisses. Microwave reheating tends to make the kisses too soft, so oven warming is my go-to to keep them pretty and tasty.
FAQs
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Can I make these cookies without the cream cheese?
While the cream cheese adds moisture and tenderness, you can omit it if needed, but expect a slightly dryer cookie. To compensate, add a tablespoon of butter or an extra egg yolk for softness.
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Can I use regular chocolate kisses instead of strawberry?
Absolutely! Regular Hershey’s Kisses will work if you want a more classic chocolate flavor, but the strawberry kisses give a unique fruity twist that defines this recipe.
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How do I prevent the strawberry kisses from melting too much?
Let your cookies cool for about 3-5 minutes before pressing the kisses on. This timing softens the kiss slightly without losing its shape. Pressing them while the cookies are piping hot leads to excessive melting.
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Can I bake these cookies on a silicone mat instead of parchment paper?
Yes, silicone mats work perfectly fine for this recipe and can even help cookies bake more evenly, but make sure to allow for proper spacing since the cookies will spread a bit.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is one of those joyful discoveries that makes baking feel like a celebration, even on a regular day. I love how quick it is to pull together, how pretty it looks, and how it delights everyone who tries it. Give it a go—you’ll find it’s as comforting as a warm hug with a little fruity sparkle. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become your go-to cookie for every sweet occasion.
Print
Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 52 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are soft, funfetti-flavored sugar cookies enhanced with cream cheese for extra tenderness, rolled in pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils, and topped with a delightful Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kiss for a burst of strawberry goodness. Perfect for parties, celebrations, or a sweet treat anytime.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 16 ounce bag Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix
- 4 ounce cream cheese, softened (½ 8-ounce package)
- 1 large egg
Coating and Topping
- ½ cup pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils
- 18 Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to get ready for baking.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat together the Funfetti sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and one large egg until all ingredients are well combined and form a soft dough.
- Prepare the Coating: Pour the pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils into a shallow bowl to coat the cookie dough balls.
- Scoop and Roll Dough: Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out dough balls and drop them into the sugar or non-pareils bowl. Roll gently until evenly coated and shaped into smooth balls.
- Optional Chill: If the dough feels too sticky to handle easily, refrigerate or freeze it for 30-60 minutes to firm up. This step is optional but recommended for easier handling.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated cookie balls spaced about 1 ½ inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the edges are set and cookies look slightly firm.
- Cool and Add Kisses: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes. Then, gently press an unwrapped Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kiss into the center top of each cookie.
- Final Cooling: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely or serve warm according to your preference.
Notes
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Freeze cookies in airtight containers for 2-3 months for longer storage.
- Avoid storing cookies while still warm to prevent the Kisses from deforming or melting excessively.
- If dough is sticky, coat your hands or cookie scoop lightly with sanding sugar for easier handling.
- The length of time you allow cookies to cool before adding Kisses affects how soft or firm the Kisses remain; 3-5 minutes cooling results in a nice balance.
- Non-pareils don’t aid with stickiness the way sanding sugar does, but still help in coating dough balls and smoothing them.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
