When it comes to holiday baking, sometimes the best recipes are the ones that let you spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the people you love. These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are the ultimate “shortcut” dessert. By using a cookie mix and adding cream cheese, you get a cookie that is far softer and richer than your standard store-bought dough. I love making these for Valentine’s Day because the pink sanding sugar gives them a beautiful, festive sparkle, and the Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses add a creamy, whimsical finish. They are bright, sweet, and come together in just minutes!
Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 8 min | Total Time: 48 min (with chill)
Key Ingredients
- Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix: 16-ounce bag (The perfect flavorful base).
- Cream Cheese: 4 ounces, softened (This is the secret to a thick, “bakery-style” texture).
- Egg: 1 large egg.
- Sanding Sugar: ½ cup pink or white sanding sugar (or non-pareils) for a crunchy, sparkly exterior.
- Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses: 18 pieces (Unwrap these while the cookies bake!).
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep Your Space: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl, beat together the cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and egg until a soft, uniform dough forms.
- The Sugar Coating: Place your sanding sugar or non-pareils in a shallow bowl.
- Scoop and Roll: Use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough. Drop the dough balls into the sugar, roll to coat, and then gently roll between your palms to form a smooth ball.Chef’s Tip: This dough is naturally sticky. If it’s sticking to your hands, pop the bowl of dough into the freezer for 30 minutes. It makes rolling much easier!
- Bake: Arrange the balls on the baking sheet with 1 ½ inches of space between them. Bake for 8–12 minutes until the edges are just set.
- The Kiss Finish: Let the cookies cool on the pan for 3–5 minutes. This is crucial—if the cookie is too hot, the Kiss will melt into a puddle; if it’s too cold, it won’t stick.
- Press: Gently press a Strawberry Kiss into the center of each cookie.
- Cool: Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely so the chocolate sets.
Serving Suggestions
- Galentine’s Platter: Serve these on a white marble board surrounded by fresh strawberries and dark chocolate squares.
- Warm and Melty: Serve them about 10 minutes after adding the Kiss for a “lava” effect where the chocolate is soft but holds its shape.
- Gift Bags: These are sturdy enough to be tucked into cellophane bags with a pink ribbon for school or office treats.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the baked cookies (with the Kisses) for up to 2 months.
- Make-Ahead: You can make the dough 24 hours in advance and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to scoop and bake.
Tips & Tricks
- Unwrap Early: Unwrap all your Kisses before the cookies come out of the oven. You have a very small window of time to press them in while the cookies are the perfect temperature.
- Avoid “The Slump”: If your Kisses start melting too much and tilting over, stick the whole baking sheet in the fridge for 10 minutes to flash-freeze the chocolate.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-baking: Sugar cookies can go from soft to crunchy very fast. Pull them out when the edges are set but the tops still look slightly pale.
- Cold Cream Cheese: If the cream cheese is cold, you will have little white lumps in your pink dough. Make sure it is truly room temperature.
Chef’s Advice
- Flavor Variations: If you can’t find the Strawberry Kisses, classic milk chocolate or “Hugs” (striped) work beautifully with the strawberry-colored dough.
- Ingredient Substitutions: You can use a plain sugar cookie mix and add a drop of pink food coloring and a ½ teaspoon of strawberry extract to achieve a similar result.
- Presentation Ideas: Use a mix of different shades of pink and red sanding sugar for a multi-toned Valentine’s look.
Nutrition Information (Per Cookie)
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
| 1 large cookie | 169 | 2g | 24g | 8g | 0g | 18g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated using standard online calculation tools. For accurate dietary advice, consult a qualified nutrition professional.
