These Christmas Chocolate Kiss Cookies are always the star of the show. Everyone wants to make the cookie that disappears first from the dessert table. The recipe that everyone begs for year after year, this Hershey Kiss Cookie recipe.
Let’s face it, these are always the stars of any cookie platter. They are the 1st ones gone and people always ask for more.
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More About Kiss Cookies
The thumbprint Hershey Kiss Cookies recipe is a true classic. When you add chocolate in the form of a sweet, chocolate kiss to a traditional peanut butter cookie it is pure heaven. It has just the right amount of crispness to make this cookie a real winner and if you love peanut butter, there is nothing better.
I am not saying I have the inside track but here is a list of Santa’s Favorite Cookies.
Why This Chocolate Kiss Cookie Recipe is a Keeper
The peanut butter cookie has been around since the late 1880’s when people where trying to figure out what to do with this delectable treat which has great protein and fiber. Find out more history of this tempting peanut butter blossom.
- 20 Minutes: A quick and easy cookie to make anytime. You will never want to make another recipe after you try this easy chocolate kiss recipe.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry, the combination of peanut butter and chocolate are always a hit.
- Family Friendly: Kids will love to help you make them and of course will love to eat these classic peanut butter blossom cookies.
- Adaptable: Can make it in different flavors and also lower sugar if you prefer. You can make mini cookies or use gluten free ingredients.
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Why are my Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Crumbling?
If your Thumbprint Hershey Kiss Cookies are too crumbly it usually means that there is too much flour in the batter. When measuring flour it should be spooned loosely into the measuring cup, not packed in like you do sugar.
Ingredient Notes for Hershey Kiss Cookies
This favorite Christmas cookie takes only a few ingredients, most you should have on hand. Therefore, you can make these cookies whenever you like. These Christmas Chocolate Kiss Cookies are a favorite holiday cookie.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: This classic cookie is full of peanut butter flavor so use a good quality peanut butter that you like the taste of.
- Shortening: You can use butter flavor or traditional vegetable shortening.
- Packed light brown sugar: Dark brown sugar can also be used, make sure it is packed in the measuring cup for the correct amount of sugar.
- 48 Hershey’s Kisses: The true star of the cookie, try some of the fun seasonal flavors that they come out with every year!
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie
There are many variations for these cookies, you can make sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies or even peppermint cookies. They are going to be the star of your cookie tray.
- Sugar Substitute – Yes, you can use a sugar substitute for the sugar and brown sugar. Make sure it is a one for one swap kind.
- Different Flavored Cookie Dough: Have a peanut allergy? You can make a Hershey’s Kiss sugar cookie with this recipe Sugar Cookies with Hershey Kisses.
- Kisses: You can use the best chocolate kiss that you like for these cookies. White chocolate, dark chocolate or any specialty kiss that they come out with for these fun cookies.
How to Make Thumbprint Cookies with Kisses
This amazing crinkle cookie with a kiss in the center is a delicious combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Plus they look so cute.
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These are the basic steps for making hershey kiss cookies recipe. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
STEP 1: Prep the Cookie Ingredients
First, preheat oven to 350 degrees and line your cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Unwrap your candy and set aside the unwrapped chocolate kiss for after baking.
STEP 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients for Cookie Dough, the Brown Sugar until Light and Fluffy
In a large bowl of a stand mixer, cream the shortening and the peanut butter until well combined. Then add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla extract.
STEP 3: Dry Ingredients to Mixture and Mix
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together. With the mixer running, slowly add the dry ingredients into peanut butter mixture, beat until a cookie dough forms.
STEP 4: Form the Cookie Dough Balls and Bake Cookies
Using a small cookie scoop, scoop dough and form dough into 1-inch balls and roll in remaining granulated sugar. Place cookie balls on baking sheet 2 inches apart and bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.
STEP 5: Press in the Kiss on Top of the Warm Cookie
When cookies have finished baking, immediately press a Hershey Kiss into the center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove the cookies to a wire rack and cool cookies completely before storing cookies at room temperature.
Recipe FAQs with Recipe Tips and Recipe Notes
Expert Tips for Making This Cookie Dough Recipe
These milk chocolate kiss cookies are sheer perfection but there are always ways to change them up and make your Christmas cookie more special.
- Double the Recipe: These cookies go fast so make it a double batch for gift giving. Everyone loves these cookies topped with a chocolate kiss.
- Thick: Make the cookies in an hors d’oeuvre pan and replace the chocolate kisses with miniature peanut butter cups.
- Add Sprinkles: Festive sprinkles to up your Christmas spirit or mix in mini peanut butter cups to the dough.
- Remember: Make sure you mark your cookies, so if anyone has a peanut allergy they can avoid.
- Variation tip For this awesome recipe: Make a chocolate cookie dough for chocolate lovers or a sugar cookie dough to make these thumbprint cookies with kisses.
- Alternate ingredient: Color the cookie dough with food coloring in beautiful Christmas colors to enhance your holiday cookie tray. Change collors and sprinkles for Valentine’s day or other holidays.
What to Serve with Sugar Hershey Kiss Cookies
Christmas Chocolate Kiss Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup Shortening
- ¾ cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- ⅔ cup Granulated sugar, divided
- ⅓ cup Light brown sugar, packed
- 1 Egg
- 2 tablespoons Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 48 Hershey’s Kisses
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy.
- Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well.
- In a separate bowl, stir the flour, baking soda and salt together.
- With the mixer running, slowly add the dry ingredients into peanut butter mixture.
- Form dough into 1-inch balls and roll in remaining granulated sugar.
- Place cookie balls on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
- While cookies are baking, remove wrappers from Hershey Kisses.
- When cookies have finished baking, immediately press a Hershey Kiss into the center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges.
- Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack and cool completely before storing.
Expert Tips
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: These cookies go fast so make it a double batch for gift giving.
- Thick: Make the cookies in an hors d’oeuvre pan and replace the chocolate kisses with miniature peanut butter cups.
- Add Sprinkles: Festive sprinkles to up your Christmas spirit.
- Remember: Make sure you mark your cookies, so if anyone has a peanut allergy they can avoid.
- Variation tip: Make a chocolate cookie dough or a sugar cookie dough to make these thumbprint cookies with kisses.
- Alternate ingredient: Color the cookie dough with food coloring in beautiful Christmas colors.
Amazing, rich and delicious. Simple and easy to follow.
This looks delicious! Chocolate and peanut butter is always a good combo! I love your recipe notes, the cookie scoop is a great tip as it really does help for even baking. Thanks for sharing!
these taste absolutely incredible. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe.