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Peppermint Kiss Cookies

These peppermint Kiss cookies are a perfect way to treat the whole family to some holiday cheer! The chocolate shortbread cookies with a candy cane Kiss center are irresistible.

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peppermint blossom cookies

Ready to get into the holiday spirit with some festive baking? Look no further than these simple yet oh-so-delicious peppermint Kiss cookies!

A tasty chocolate shortbread cookie with that cool candy-cane Kiss center is sure to make your tastebuds merry and bright.

Best of all, you’ll love how easy it is to whip up a batch totally from scratch… well, besides the classic Hershey’s Kiss centers, of course!

Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:

  • How to make peppermint Hershey kiss cookies
  • Tips for making the best blossom cookies that hold their shape and look amazing
  • Variations for your chocolate Kiss cookies
  • How to store candy cane Kiss cookies to enjoy for days, weeks, or even months

This is also a fun recipe for the little ones to help you make.

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An adult probably needs to handle the mixing portion, but kids of any age can press the peppermint Kiss into the center of the cookie for that finishing touch!

ingredients to make peppermint kiss cookies

How to Make Peppermint Kiss Cookies

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment and set aside.

STEP TWO: Combine the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, then whisk until well-combined.

dry ingredients in a clear bowl

STEP THREE: In a separate large bowl, use an electric hand mixer to mix the butter and sugar until fluffy.

wet ingredients in bowl

STEP FOUR: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the fluffy butter and sugar, then continue mixing.

STEP FIVE: Add the dry ingredients and mix at a low speed until the dough is crumbly and pliable.

cookie dough in a clear bowl

STEP SIX: Use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop out the dough for each cookie. Roll them with your hands until they are smooth, tight balls, then set them on the cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart.

cookie dough batter on baking sheet

STEP SEVEN: With a measuring teaspoon, press down the center of each cookie slightly. The dough may crack a bit.

STEP EIGHT: Bake the cookies, 1 cookie sheet at a time, for 15 minutes or until they have risen slightly. Press the centers of the cookies down again if they have risen too much while baking.

STEP NINE: Rest the cookies on a cooling rack for about 5 minutes.

cookie dough with peppermint kiss

STEP TEN: When the cookies are still warm but not hot to the touch, press a peppermint kiss into the center of each one.

peppermint kiss cookies on wire rack

STEP ELEVEN: Let the cookies cool completely before serving.

What Are Kisses Cookies?

Also known as chocolate kisses cookies or blossom cookies, the name refers to a chocolate shortbread cookie that has a Hershey Kiss pressed into the center.

Keep in mind that the Kiss should be added after the bake so that it doesn’t melt in the oven!

These are a classic holiday cookie that’s perfect for parties or treating the family to some tasty cheer.

Tips for Making the Best Peppermint Blossom Cookies

  • Try not to over-mix the egg. Over-mixing may affect how much the cookies rise in the oven.
  • If you put the Kisses on the cookies too soon after they are out of the oven, they will melt. However, if you wait too long, they won’t stick to the cookies. That’s why it’s important to keep an eye on the temperature of the cookies while they are resting. I found that waiting 5-10 minutes is a good amount of time before adding the Kisses so they stick to the cookies without melting too much.
  • Make sure you use baking powder and not baking soda. Baking powder will help the cookies rise slightly, but baking soda will cause the cookies to spread and lose their shape.
closeup of peppermint kiss cookies

Variations for Peppermint Kiss Cookies

  • You can use salted butter instead of unsalted butter if that’s what you have on hand. Just make sure to omit the added salt.
  • For a sugar coating that will give the cookie a sweet and crunchy exterior, roll the dough ball in granulated sugar before setting on the baking sheet.
overhead shot of several peppermint kiss cookies

Can You Store Candy Cane Kiss Cookies?

Absolutely! Feel free to keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 days.

Just remember that if they are in a warm room or in direct sunlight, the kisses could melt.

Alternatively, you can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 10 days.

I recommend letting them come up to room temperature before serving so they aren’t too hard.

Can You Freeze Hershey Kiss Cookies For Longer Storage?

You bet! Place the cookies in an airtight container and freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure you let them thaw completely before serving or they’ll be too hard to eat.

platter filled with candy cane kiss cookies

Other Cookie Recipes You’ll Love:

overhead shot of several peppermint kiss cookies

Peppermint Kiss Cookies

Samantha Erb
The whole family is going to love these peppermint Kiss cookies! The chocolate and candy cane flavors make them perfect for holiday gatherings, festive treats, and more.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Christmas Cookies
Cuisine American
Servings 22 cookies
Calories 101 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 22 peppermint kisses candies

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°. Lay out 2 pieces of parchment paper on 2 large cookie sheets. Set aside.
  • Combine the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk.
  • In a separate large bowl, use an electric hand mixer to mix the butter and sugar until they are fluffy.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract, and continue mixing.
  • Pour in the dry ingredients, and mix at low speed until the dough is crumbly and pliable.
  • Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop out balls of dough and roll them with your hands until they are smooth, tight balls. Set them on the cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. (I fit 12 cookies on 1 cookie sheet.)
  • Press down the center of each cookie slightly with a measuring teaspoon. It’s okay if the dough cracks a little bit. 
  • Bake the cookies, 1 cookie sheet at a time, for 15 minutes or until they have risen slightly. Press the centers of the cookies down again if they have risen too much while baking.
  • Rest the cookies on a cooling rack for about 5 minutes (or until they are still warm but not hot to the touch), then press a peppermint kiss into the center of each cookie.
  • Let the cookies cool completely, then serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 101kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 43mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10g

This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.

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samantha

About Samantha

I’ve always had a love of cooking and creating new recipes, so it only made sense to create a food blog so I could share those recipes with you. This site is designed to provide easy and flavorful recipes with as little ingredients as possible. That means you still get great flavor combinations without all that extra time and effort. Read more...

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