These Cherry Kiss Cookies are the perfect blend of buttery shortbread, vibrant cherry flavor, and a delightful chocolate center. With a gorgeous pink hue and melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re ideal for holidays like Christmas or Valentine’s Day, or simply as a sweet everyday treat. The combination of chopped maraschino cherries and rich Hershey’s Kisses creates a cookie that’s both visually appealing and incredibly satisfying.
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Why You’ll Love These Cherry Kiss Cookies
Cherry Kiss Cookies are a festive twist on the classic blossom cookie, offering a fruity and colorful alternative to peanut butter. Their key strength lies in their smooth, tender texture and delicious cherry-chocolate flavor pairing. Thanks to the use of confectioners’ sugar and real butter, these cookies practically dissolve in your mouth. They’re also egg-free and easy to make with a handful of pantry staples.
Whether you’re prepping for a holiday cookie swap or looking for a beautiful dessert for a baby shower, these cherry cookies with Hershey Kisses check all the boxes — flavorful, adorable, and crowd-pleasing.
What You’ll Need to Make Cherry Kiss Cookies
• Unsalted Butter: Delivers rich flavor and a tender texture
• Confectioners’ Sugar: Creates the soft, melt-in-your-mouth feel
• Maraschino Cherries: Chopped for fruity bursts in every bite
• Maraschino Cherry Juice: Adds sweet cherry flavor and light pink color
• Almond Extract: Enhances the cherry notes with a nutty aroma
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps the cookies hold their shape
• Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out other flavors
• Red Food Coloring (Optional): Boosts the pink hue for visual appeal
• Hershey’s Kisses: The iconic chocolate center and signature “kiss” topping
Smart Swaps & Substitutions
• Dark Chocolate Kisses: For a more intense chocolate flavor
• Hershey’s Hugs: A striped chocolate option — note that they may melt more easily
• Cherry Extract: Substitute almond extract if you prefer to double down on cherry flavor
• Natural Coloring: Use beet juice or pink pitaya powder for a natural pink tint
• Gluten-Free Flour: Use a 1:1 baking blend to make gluten-free cherry kiss cookies
How to Make the Perfect Cherry Kiss Cookies
- Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). - Add Cherry Flavorings
Mix in the maraschino cherry juice, almond extract, and optional red food coloring. Beat until incorporated. - Fold in Cherries and Flour
Gently stir in chopped maraschino cherries, then gradually add the flour, mixing until just combined. - Shape and Bake
Scoop about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough and roll into 1-inch balls. Place on an ungreased baking sheet, spaced 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, just until bottoms turn lightly golden. - Add the Kiss
Immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. The edges may crack slightly — this is perfectly normal and adds character. - Cool Completely
Let cookies cool on the pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Do not touch the Kisses until completely cooled, as they’ll be soft from the cookie’s heat.
Expert Tips for Cherry Kiss Cookie Success
• Use a Cookie Scoop: Ensures uniform size and even baking
• Don’t Skip the Chill (if warm): If your dough gets too soft, refrigerate it briefly before baking
• Hands Off the Kisses: After placing them on hot cookies, avoid touching them. They’ll melt slightly but retain their shape if left alone
• Watch Your Bake Time: Bake only until bottoms are golden — overbaking can make the cookies dry
• No Leaveners Needed: This shortbread-style dough is meant to be dense and soft without eggs or baking powder
What to Serve with Cherry Kiss Cookies
• Pair with Hot Chocolate: The cherry-chocolate combo is magical with a rich cocoa
• Serve with Whipped Cream or Ice Cream: Especially good as part of a dessert platter
• Add to a Holiday Cookie Tray: Their pink color and Kiss top make them standout stars
• Make It a Cherry Trio: Serve alongside cherry almond cookies and cherry chocolate chip bars for a cherry-themed treat table
• Variations: Try a white chocolate Kiss, add chopped nuts to the dough, or drizzle melted chocolate over the top for a gourmet twist
Freezer & Make-Ahead Tips
To prepare in advance, scoop the dough into balls and freeze on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a zip-top bag. When ready to bake, thaw the dough balls in the fridge and bake as directed. For best texture, freeze unbaked dough rather than baked cookies.
Celebrate with Cherry Kiss Cookies Year-Round
While Cherry Kiss Cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and baby showers, they’re truly a year-round delight. Their soft, meltaway texture and vibrant flavor make them a go-to for any dessert lover. Plus, the pink hue and chocolate center add charm to any occasion, from tea parties to birthday spreads.
Whether you’re gifting them or enjoying a few with your afternoon coffee, Cherry Kiss Cookies are sure to become a favorite in your cookie rotation.
Conclusion
Cherry Kiss Cookies aren’t just another pretty treat — they’re a memorable combination of melt-in-your-mouth shortbread, sweet cherry, and rich chocolate. Whether you’re baking a festive batch for a holiday party, gifting them in a baby shower dessert box, or just indulging your cherry-chocolate craving on a cozy afternoon, these cookies deliver in both taste and charm.
The vibrant pink color and the pop of a Hershey’s Kiss make them as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Plus, their simplicity and flexibility in ingredients mean they’re easy to make ahead or customize. Once you try them, these Cherry Kiss Cookies are sure to become a cherished favorite in your recipe collection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Kiss Cookies
Can I freeze Cherry Kiss Cookies after baking them?
Yes, you can freeze Cherry Kiss Cookies after baking, though for best results, it’s recommended to freeze the dough instead. If you choose to freeze the baked cookies, place them in a single layer in an airtight container and separate layers with parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature. Keep in mind that the Hershey’s Kisses may develop a white “bloom” from temperature changes, which is harmless but affects appearance.
Can I use fresh cherries instead of maraschino cherries?
Fresh cherries aren’t ideal for this recipe because of their high moisture content. Maraschino cherries are candied and much sweeter, which helps achieve the signature taste and texture of Cherry Kiss Cookies. If you only have fresh cherries, you’ll need to pit, chop, and drain them well — and consider increasing the sugar slightly to compensate.
Why don’t these cookies use eggs or baking powder?
Cherry Kiss Cookies are a shortbread-style cookie, which naturally contains no egg or leavening agents. This results in a tender, dense, and crumbly texture that melts in your mouth — similar to a meltaway cookie. The absence of eggs also makes them a great option for those with egg allergies or looking for an egg-free cookie recipe.
More Relevant Recipes
- Strawberry Kiss Cookies: These cookies are a fruity twist on the classic blossom cookie, featuring sweet strawberry flavor and a chocolate kiss on top. Perfect for holidays or romantic occasions, they’re visually similar and just as delightful as Cherry Kiss Cookies.
- Cherry Pistachio Crinkle Cookies: With tart cherry and crunchy pistachios, these soft, crinkled cookies offer a colorful and flavorful take on cherry-based desserts. Their festive look and chewy texture make them a great addition to any cookie platter.
- Almond Meltaway Cookies: Featuring almond extract and a buttery, soft bite, these cookies are reminiscent of the base used in Cherry Kiss Cookies. Their delicate texture and nutty flavor provide a melt-in-your-mouth experience that fans of shortbread will adore.
Cherry Kiss Cookies
- Total Time: 39 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cherry Kiss Cookies are tender, buttery shortbread cookies infused with maraschino cherries and almond extract, then topped with a classic Hershey’s Kiss. With their pretty pink hue and rich cherry-chocolate flavor, they’re perfect for holidays, baby showers, or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons maraschino cherry juice (from the jar)
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 6 drops red food coloring (optional)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup chopped maraschino cherries
- About 30 Hershey’s chocolate Kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt on low speed until combined, then increase to medium and beat until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Add maraschino cherry juice, almond extract, and red food coloring (if using). Mix until incorporated.
- Stir in chopped maraschino cherries.
- Gradually add the flour on low speed, mixing until just combined.
- Scoop dough into 1-inch balls (about 1½ tablespoons per ball) and place on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the bottoms are just starting to turn golden.
- Immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. Cookies will crack slightly around the edges—this is normal.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Do not substitute granulated sugar for confectioners’ sugar—it affects the texture.
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform cookie size.
- Do not touch the Hershey’s Kisses after placing them on hot cookies; they will soften but hold shape once cooled.
- The dough contains no eggs or leavening agents by design.
- Red food coloring is optional but enhances the pink color.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg