Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

Imagine biting into a warm, soft cookie with a rich buttery flavor, only to be greeted by the tantalizing crunch of crushed candy canes and the melty decadence of a Hershey’s Candy Cane Kiss. Candy Cane Kiss Cookies bring the joy of the holiday season right into your kitchen, providing the perfect blend of nostalgia and sweetness. They are incredibly easy to make, making them a kid-friendly choice for holiday baking with little chefs. This recipe is not just a treat; it’s an experience—a delightful way to gather loved ones and share moments that feel like a warm hug on chilly winter days.

Are You Ready to Indulge in Festive Sweetness?

Have you ever craved a cookie that captures the essence of the holiday season in every bite? One that you can whip up quickly while your favorite holiday tunes play in the background? For many of us, the holiday season isn’t complete without a little something sweet that brings back fond memories of childhood baking sessions with family. Wouldn’t you love to create lasting memories while munching on soft, chewy cookies that dance with festive flavors? Let’s dive into what makes Candy Cane Kiss Cookies a must-have on your holiday dessert table!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Preparation: With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, these cookies come together quickly. Perfect for last-minute holiday gatherings!

Nostalgic Flavor: The combination of minty candy canes and warm Cookies evokes fond memories of past holiday celebrations.

Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or a family gathering, these cookies are sure to please the taste buds of both kids and adults alike.

Limited Ingredients: With just a handful of pantry staples, you can create this delightful treat without having to make a special trip to the store.

Kid-Friendly: Little hands can help crush the candy canes and shape the cookie dough, making this a fun holiday activity!

Ingredients

For these indulgent Candy Cane Kiss Cookies, you will need:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: The base of any great cookie, producing a rich flavor.

• 1 cup granulated sugar: For that perfect sweetness that complements the minty flavors.

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to each bite.

• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract: A subtle hint of almond brings a delightful nuance to these cookies.

• 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookie’s structure, providing a tender, soft texture.

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Helps lift the cookies to a perfect softness.

• 1 cup crushed candy canes (about 45 candy canes): These add a holiday crunch and burst of flavor.

• 32 unwrapped Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses: The pièce de résistance that tops each cookie, bringing a melty, minty center.

Timing

This recipe is perfect for those in a hurry, taking just about 30 minutes from start to finish. If you’re looking to create a slow and luxurious baking experience, consider incorporating additional festive elements like holiday music or maybe a glass of eggnog while you bake!

Step-by-Step

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating the perfect surface for your cookies.

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until it becomes light and fluffy, a process that typically takes about 2-3 minutes.

3. Beat in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt until everything is well combined, creating an aromatic blend that fills the air.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

5. Fold in the crushed candy canes gently, ensuring that they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

6. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and shape them into round spheres. Place them onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie.

7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and enticingly fragrant.

8. Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press one Candy Cane Kiss into the center of each cookie, allowing it to melt slightly.

9. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The kisses will create a lovely, gooey center that you won’t be able to resist!

Nutritional Information

In each irresistible cookie, you’ll find around 150 calories. While these cookies are a delightful indulgence, they are best enjoyed as a treat during the holiday season. The balance of minty sweetness, creamy texture, and buttery flavor makes these cookies a fantastic choice for satisfying any sweet tooth.

Healthier Alternatives

If you’re looking to reduce the sugar intake, consider substituting granulated sugar with coconut sugar or a low-calorie sweetener.

For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based butter alternative and ensure you pick dairy-free candy canes and Kisses.

Serving Suggestions

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies can be decadent alone, but they’re also perfect served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a warm mug of hot chocolate for an added layer of indulgence. They also make for sumptuous holiday gifts when boxed beautifully!

Common Mistakes

Overbaking: Keeping a close eye on the baking time is essential. Overbaked cookies may become too hard and lose that soft, chewy texture.

Texture Issues: Ensure that all ingredients are at room temperature for best results. Cold butter can result in a denser cookie.

Messes: Be cautious when crushing candy canes; they can scatter everywhere! Use a resealable plastic bag for easier cleanup.

Storing Tips

These cookies store beautifully! Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you’d like to save some for later, freeze them by placing them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. To enjoy again, let them thaw at room temperature or warm them slightly in the oven.

Tempted to Bake?

Now that you’ve learned how to create these heavenly Candy Cane Kiss Cookies, it’s time to get baking! With their whimsical appearance, delicious flavor, and festive spirit, these cookies are sure to become a cherished holiday tradition in your home. Don’t wait—gather your ingredients and allow the warmth of homemade cookies to fill your home with delightful aromas today!

FAQs

How long will the cookies stay fresh?

They will remain fresh in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature.

Can I use different types of chocolate for the kisses?

Absolutely! While the Candy Cane Kisses add a festive flair, you can substitute them with regular chocolate kisses or any other flavor you enjoy.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to substitute the all-purpose flour. Make sure to check that all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Can I add nuts?

Certainly! Chopped walnuts or pecans would add a lovely crunch to the cookies—just make sure that the added texture complements the candy canes.

Do I have to press the kisses in immediately after baking?

Pressing the kisses in immediately after baking allows them to melt a bit, creating a gooey center. However, if you prefer them intact, you can place them on after cooling.

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

Warm, soft cookies with a rich buttery flavor, blended perfectly with crushed candy canes and Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses for a festive treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 32 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 150

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cookie Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened The base of any great cookie, producing a rich flavor.
• 1 cup granulated sugar For that perfect sweetness that complements the minty flavors.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Adds warmth and depth to each bite.
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract A subtle hint of almond brings a delightful nuance to these cookies.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt Balances out the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour The foundation of the cookie's structure, providing a tender, soft texture.
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Helps lift the cookies to a perfect softness.
• 1 cup crushed candy canes (about 45 candy canes) These add a holiday crunch and burst of flavor.
• 32 pieces unwrapped Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses The pièce de résistance that tops each cookie, bringing a melty, minty center.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
3. Beat in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt until well combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually add to the wet ingredients until just combined.
5. Fold in the crushed candy canes gently until evenly distributed.
6. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough, shape into spheres, and place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.

Baking

1. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
2. Remove from the oven and immediately press one Candy Cane Kiss into the center of each cookie, allowing it to melt slightly.
3. Let cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

These cookies store beautifully in an airtight container for up to a week. For freezing, place in a single layer in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.