If you’re looking for the ultimate sweet treat to celebrate love this Valentine’s Day, Candy Cane Kiss Cookies are the perfect choice. These delightful cookies combine the charm of Valentine’s sugar cookies with a fun peppermint twist, making them an irresistible addition to your holiday dessert table.

Their soft, buttery base pairs beautifully with the vibrant red and white Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses, creating a visually stunning and flavorful treat.

Whether you’re making these Valentine cookies for a romantic evening, a festive gathering, or as a thoughtful gift, they are guaranteed to spread love and cheer.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive Appeal: The red and white striped Candy Cane Kiss on top of each cookie brings instant holiday vibes.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these cookies are beginner-friendly.
Crowd-Pleasing: The combination of soft sugar cookies and creamy peppermint candy is irresistible to kids and adults alike.
Customizable: You can tweak the recipe with flavorings or add-ins to suit your taste.
Perfect for Gifting: These cookies stay fresh for several days, making them ideal for holiday gift boxes.

Ingredients

To make these delicious cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Granulated sugar, for rolling
Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses, unwrapped (about 30-35 pieces)

Step-by-Step Process

Follow these simple steps to whip up a batch of Candy Cane Kiss Cookies:

Prepare the dough:
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
Combine dry ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Chill the dough:
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. This makes the dough easier to handle and prevents spreading during baking.
Preheat the oven:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Shape the cookies:
Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar to coat evenly, then place them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
Bake:
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool for 1-2 minutes.
Add the kisses:
Press a Candy Cane Kiss gently into the center of each warm cookie. The residual heat will slightly soften the kiss, helping it adhere to the cookie.
Cool completely:
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. The Candy Cane Kisses will firm up as they cool.

Variations

Chocolate Twist: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolate-flavored base that pairs beautifully with the peppermint kisses.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour to make the recipe gluten-free.
Colorful Sprinkles: Roll the cookie dough balls in red or green sugar sprinkles instead of plain granulated sugar for extra festive flair.
Flavored Extracts: Replace vanilla extract with peppermint or almond extract for a unique twist.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of Hershey’s Kiss for this recipe?
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of peppermint, you can substitute the Candy Cane Kisses with milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even caramel-filled Hershey’s Kisses.

2. How should I store these cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months.

3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance. Keep it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator until ready to use.

4. What if I don’t have time to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape, but if you’re short on time, you can bake them immediately. Just note that the cookies might spread more during baking.

How to Serve

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies are a versatile treat that fits into any holiday setting. Serve them as part of a dessert platter with hot cocoa or coffee for a cozy winter snack.

They also make an excellent addition to holiday cookie exchanges or gift boxes. Arrange them in festive tins or cellophane bags tied with ribbon for a thoughtful and delicious holiday gift.