There’s something truly magical about the holiday season: twinkling lights, cozy gatherings, and of course, delicious Christmas kiss cookies! One of my all-time favorite festive treats is Christmas Kiss Cookies. These buttery, sprinkle-filled sugar cookies are topped with a delightful peppermint kiss, making them the perfect sweet bite for the season. Whether you’re making them for a Christmas party, gifting them to loved ones, or enjoying them with a cup of hot cocoa, these cookies will bring holiday cheer to any occasion!
Method
Preheat & Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Proper oven temperature ensures that the cookies bake evenly. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to allow for easy cleanup.
Cream Butter & Sugar
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and brown sugar together. Mix until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy, which should take around 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial as creaming the butter and sugar properly will help incorporate air, making the cookies lighter in texture.
Add the Egg
Crack the egg into the bowl with the creamed butter and sugar. Continue mixing until the egg is fully combined. The egg helps bind the ingredients together and adds moisture to the dough.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on medium speed. Continue mixing just until a dough forms. Overmixing at this stage can result in tougher cookies, so mix only until everything is well incorporated.
Fold in Sprinkles
Using a spatula, gently fold in the Christmas sprinkles. Stir just enough to distribute the sprinkles evenly throughout the dough. This will ensure that every cookie has a festive pop of color.
Shape the Cookies
Using a cookie scoop, measure out 2-tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls with your hands. Place each dough ball onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This allows enough room for the cookies to spread as they bake.
Press & Bake
Take the bottom of a glass cup and gently press down on each cookie dough ball, flattening them slightly. This helps them bake evenly. Place the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 11-12 minutes. The cookies are ready when the edges look set and slightly golden, while the centers remain soft.
Add the Kiss
Remove the cookies from the oven and, while they are still warm, gently press a candy cane Hershey’s kiss into the center of each cookie. The warmth of the cookie will slightly soften the chocolate, allowing it to stick but still hold its shape.
Cool & Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This ensures they maintain their structure. Once cooled, serve and enjoy your delicious Christmas Kiss Cookies!
Necessary Tools
- Electric mixer
- Mixing bowls (medium and large)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Parchment-lined baking sheet
- Spatula
- Glass cup (for pressing dough)
- Cookie scoop
Christmas Kiss Cookies
Cuisine: GermanyDifficulty: Easy12
servings10
minutes15
minutes25
minutesIngredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup Christmas sprinkles
12 candy cane Hershey’s kisses
Directions
- Preheat & Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper so your cookies bake evenly without sticking.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a medium-sized bowl with an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until smooth and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Egg: Crack in the egg and mix until fully incorporated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet mixture while mixing on medium speed until a dough forms.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in the Christmas sprinkles using a spatula. This gives the cookies their festive touch!
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop out 2-tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Press & Bake: Use the bottom of a glass cup to press each ball down slightly they will spread a bit while baking. Bake for 11-12 minutes, or until the edges look set but the centers are still soft.
- Add the Kiss: As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, gently press a candy cane Hershey’s kiss into the center of each cookie. Let them cool completely before moving them to a wire rack.
- Enjoy! Once cooled, grab a cookie (or two!) and enjoy a taste of holiday magic!
Notes
- Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is soft but not melted. This helps create the perfect cookie texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Once the flour is added, mix until just combined. Overmixing can make your cookies tough instead of soft and chewy.
- Work Quickly with the Kisses: When pressing the Hershey’s kiss into the cookie, be gentle. If the cookies are too hot, the kiss might melt too much, so let them cool slightly before pressing.
- Let Them Cool Completely: These cookies need to cool before being moved, or they might fall apart!
Serving Suggestions
- These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of hot cocoa or a glass of milk.
- Serve them on a festive platter at holiday parties.
- Wrap them in decorative treat bags and gift them to friends, neighbors, or coworkers.
- Crumble a few cookies over vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat!
Fun Fact
Did you know that the first-ever Hershey’s Kiss was made in 1907? They were originally wrapped by hand, and it wasn’t until 1921 that the iconic paper plume was added to each piece!
Conclusion
Christmas Kiss Cookies are the ultimate holiday treat: easy to make, fun to decorate, and absolutely delicious! Whether you’re baking with kids, making a holiday gift, or simply indulging in festive flavors, these cookies will quickly become a holiday favorite in your home. So preheat that oven, sprinkle some joy into your dough, and make this season extra sweet! Happy baking!
