Chocolate Cherry Kiss Cookies: A Decadent Delight!

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate festive treat! These Chocolate Cherry Kiss Cookies are a delightful combination of rich chocolate, sweet cherries, and creamy Hershey’s Kisses. Perfect for holiday baking, gift-giving, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, these cookies are sure to become a new family favorite.

## Why You’ll Love These Cookies

* **Festive and Fun:** The bright red cherry and shiny Hershey’s Kiss make these cookies visually appealing and perfect for celebrations.
* **Delicious Flavor Combination:** The bittersweet chocolate dough complements the sweetness of the cherry and the creamy milk chocolate Kiss.
* **Easy to Make:** With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, these cookies are surprisingly easy to bake.
* **Perfect for Gifting:** These cookies are a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift that everyone will appreciate.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the recipe to your preferences by using different types of chocolate chips or adding other mix-ins.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start baking, gather these ingredients:

### For the Cookies:

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1 cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate chips, if preferred)
* 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and halved (or quartered if large)

### For the Decoration:

* About 48 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Mixing bowls
* Electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer)
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Baking sheets
* Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
* Cookie scoop (optional, for uniform cookies)
* Wire rack for cooling

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create perfect Chocolate Cherry Kiss Cookies every time:

### Step 1: Cream Together the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes using an electric mixer. Make sure the butter is properly softened for a smooth and creamy texture. Scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally ensures even mixing.

### Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. The eggs help to bind the ingredients together and add moisture, while the vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

### Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing lumps and ensuring that the baking soda works effectively.

### Step 4: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make the cookies chewy rather than soft.

### Step 5: Stir in Chocolate Chips and Cherries

Gently fold in the chocolate chips and halved (or quartered) maraschino cherries. Ensure that the cherries are well-drained to prevent the cookies from becoming soggy. Evenly distribute the chocolate chips and cherries throughout the dough.

### Step 6: Chill the Dough (Important!)

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking and allows the flavors to meld together. This step is crucial for achieving the desired cookie texture.

### Step 7: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking to the baking sheets and makes cleanup easier. Silicone mats provide a non-stick surface and help the cookies bake evenly.

### Step 8: Scoop and Bake the Cookies

Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. This allows the cookies to spread without touching each other. If you don’t have a cookie scoop, aim for roughly the same size for each cookie for even baking.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the cookies. Don’t overbake them, as they will continue to firm up as they cool.

### Step 9: Press in the Hershey’s Kisses

Remove the baking sheets from the oven and immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. The heat from the cookies will slightly melt the Kiss, allowing it to adhere to the cookie. Work quickly, as the cookies will start to cool and harden.

### Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cookies from breaking apart while they are still warm and soft. Once the cookies are completely cool, they are ready to enjoy!

## Tips for Perfect Chocolate Cherry Kiss Cookies

* **Use Softened Butter:** Softened butter is essential for creating a smooth and creamy cookie dough. If the butter is too cold, it will be difficult to cream with the sugars. If it’s too melted, the cookies may spread too much.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the dough develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
* **Chill the Dough:** Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking and for allowing the flavors to meld together.
* **Use Good Quality Cocoa Powder:** Good quality cocoa powder will enhance the chocolate flavor of the cookies.
* **Drain the Cherries Well:** Ensure that the maraschino cherries are well-drained to prevent the cookies from becoming soggy.
* **Don’t Overbake:** Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Bake until the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft.
* **Press in the Kisses Immediately:** Press the Hershey’s Kisses into the cookies immediately after removing them from the oven, while they are still soft and warm.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Different Chocolate Chips:** Use milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, or even white chocolate chips for a different flavor profile.
* **Nuts:** Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds, to the dough for added texture and flavor.
* **Extracts:** Experiment with different extracts, such as almond extract or peppermint extract, to enhance the flavor of the cookies.
* **Cream Cheese:** Add 4 ounces of softened cream cheese to the wet ingredients for a tangier and softer cookie.
* **Different Candies:** Instead of Hershey’s Kisses, use other candies, such as Rolos, miniature peanut butter cups, or even small chocolate squares.
* **Gluten-Free:** Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version of these cookies.
* **Dairy-Free:** Use dairy-free butter and chocolate chips to make these cookies dairy-free.

## Serving Suggestions

* **Enjoy with a glass of milk:** These cookies are delicious enjoyed with a cold glass of milk.
* **Serve with coffee or tea:** The chocolate and cherry flavors pair well with coffee or tea.
* **Include in a cookie platter:** Add these cookies to a cookie platter for a festive holiday treat.
* **Gift in a decorative tin:** Package these cookies in a decorative tin for a thoughtful homemade gift.
* **Serve as a dessert at a party:** These cookies are a perfect dessert for parties and gatherings.

## Storage Instructions

* **Store at room temperature:** Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
* **Freeze:** Freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

## Nutrition Information (approximate, per cookie)

* Calories: 150
* Fat: 8g
* Saturated Fat: 5g
* Cholesterol: 25mg
* Sodium: 50mg
* Carbohydrates: 20g
* Sugar: 15g
* Protein: 1g

*Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

## Printable Recipe Card

## More Delicious Cookie Recipes

## Conclusion

These Chocolate Cherry Kiss Cookies are a festive and delicious treat that are perfect for any occasion. With their rich chocolate flavor, sweet cherries, and creamy Hershey’s Kisses, they are sure to be a hit with everyone. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of these irresistible cookies! Enjoy!