Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Delightful strawberry and chocolate cookies that are fun to make and perfect for parties or as a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Ensure the butter is softened but not melted.
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional) Can be omitted if not preferred.
- 2 1/8 cups all-purpose flour Use 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons.
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 package (3 oz) strawberry-flavored gelatin mix
For Dusting
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar For dusting before serving.
Chocolate Center
- 24-30 chocolate kiss candies, unwrapped Or substitute with other types of chocolate if preferred.
Instructions
Preparation of Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix well.
- Add the strawberry-flavored gelatin powder and blend until fully combined.
Mixing Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until a soft, pink dough forms.
- If the dough is too soft or sticky, add 1-2 extra tablespoons of flour.
Chilling the Dough
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball between your palms.
- Place the dough balls on a lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight) to prevent spreading.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange the chilled dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart.
- Do not press an indentation into the dough before baking, as this can cause excess spreading.
- Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until the edges are set and slightly firm.
- The center may look soft, but it will firm up as the cookies cool.
Adding Chocolate Kisses
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 2 minutes.
- While still warm, gently press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.
- This heat helps the chocolate stick without melting too much.
Cooling
- Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely, allowing the chocolate to set.
Dusting
- To avoid getting powdered sugar on the chocolate, dust the cookies first, then press in the kisses.
Notes
Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent the cookies from spreading too much. You can substitute the chocolate kisses with other types of chocolates if you prefer.