Hershey Kiss Cookies Recipe

So you’re craving something sweet but also want to look like you put in actual effort? Same. Enter: Hershey Kiss Cookies. They’re bite-sized, they look fancy (because chocolate on top automatically screams I tried), and they taste like nostalgia wrapped in butter and sugar. Plus, they’re literally the kind of cookie that makes people go, “Wow, you baked these?!” when in reality, you just followed six simple steps and slapped a Hershey Kiss on top. Easiest flex of your life.

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Why This Recipe is Awesome

Let me count the ways:

It’s idiot-proof. Even if you burn toast, you can nail these.
Minimal drama. No complicated ingredients, no fancy equipment. You don’t even need a mixer if you’re down for an arm workout.
They’re cute. And food that’s cute = automatically more delicious.
Universal approval. Kids, adults, your grandma, your dog (okay, not the dog—please don’t)… everyone loves these.

Basically, if you want to look like Betty Crocker’s cooler cousin without actually suffering through a full-blown baking marathon, this is the recipe.

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Ingredients You’ll Need for Hershey Kiss Cookies

Alright, gather the goods (and try not to eat half the bag of Hershey Kisses while you’re at it):

1 cup unsalted butter (aka the good stuff—not margarine, please)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar (for that chewy magic)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (don’t eyeball it unless you like chaos)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
About 48 Hershey Kisses, unwrapped (yes, unwrap them before baking—rookie mistake otherwise)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat that oven. 350°F (175°C). Don’t skip this unless you enjoy sad, underbaked dough blobs.
Mix your butter and sugars. Cream them together until smooth. Basically, whip them until they look like they’ve been airbrushed.
Add eggs + vanilla. Crack, pour, mix. You know the drill.
Mix dry stuff in another bowl. Flour, baking soda, salt. Whisk like you’re on a cooking show.
Combine wet + dry. Slowly add the dry mix to the wet mix. Dough should be soft but not sticky.
Roll into balls. Tablespoon size. Place them on a baking sheet like little cookie soldiers.
Bake 8–10 minutes. They should be slightly golden but not overbaked. Nobody likes a rock-hard cookie.
Add the Kiss. Right after pulling them out, press a Hershey Kiss gently into the center of each cookie. Boom—cookie glow-up complete.

Let them cool (if you can resist) because hot chocolate on your tongue = instant regret.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to unwrap the Hershey Kisses first. Yes, this happens. Yes, it’s as tragic as it sounds.
Overbaking. These cookies are meant to be soft. Take them out when they look slightly underdone. Trust the process.
Skipping the chill step (if dough is too sticky). Sticky dough means flat cookies. Flat cookies = sadness. Pop the dough in the fridge for 15 minutes if needed.
Using margarine. No. Just no. You deserve real butter.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Peanut Butter Twist: Swap half the butter with peanut butter. Boom—peanut butter blossoms.
Gluten-Free Vibes: Use a gluten-free flour blend. Cookies may be slightly crumblier, but still delicious.
Dark Chocolate Upgrade: Instead of milk chocolate Kisses, go for dark chocolate ones. Fancy and slightly less sweet.
Holiday Edition: Roll the dough balls in colored sugar before baking. Instant festive cookies.

Basically, these cookies are like a blank canvas—you can dress them up however you want.

FAQS about Hershey Kiss Cookies

Q: Do I really need to chill the dough?

A: Only if it’s sticky. Otherwise, skip it. I’m not here to waste your time.

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?

A: Absolutely. Bake, store in an airtight container, and flex on people the next day.

Q: Can I freeze the dough?

A: Yep. Roll into balls, freeze on a tray, then bake straight from frozen (add a couple minutes to the bake time).

Q: Can I use margarine instead of butter?

A: Technically yes. But also—why hurt your soul like that?

Q: How long do they last?

A: About 5 days in a container. Or 5 minutes if you live with cookie monsters.

Q: Can I use mini Kisses?

A: Sure, if you want “baby cookies.” They’ll be cute but less dramatic.

Q: Why are my cookies flat?

A: You probably didn’t chill sticky dough or your oven temp is lying to you. Ovens are sneaky like that.

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Final Thoughts about Hershey Kiss Cookies

And there you have it—Hershey Kiss Cookies that are equal parts easy, adorable, and impressive. They’re basically the little black dress of cookies: classic, flattering, and always a hit.

So, preheat that oven, channel your inner cookie boss, and whip up a batch. Then grab a few while they’re still warm because trust me—if you wait too long, someone else in the house is going to beat you to them.

Now go impress someone—or yourself—with your new culinary skills. You’ve earned it.