Say hello to these gorgeous Christmas Kiss Cookies — simple to make, delightfully tasty, and perfectly festive!
On my recent trip to India I overpacked sweaters and jackets, expecting Delhi’s typical December chill. At first the weather was surprisingly mild — so mild that I was comfortable in a t-shirt while shopping with my mom. I’m someone who layers up as soon as the temperature dips, so I was surprised and a bit annoyed that I’d brought the wrong clothes.
Then, almost overnight, the temperature dropped and the city finally felt like winter. We went from mild days to nighttime lows in the 40s. Part of me was relieved — now I could wear all the sweaters I had packed — but I also missed the milder days. Either way, the weather settled into a comfortable cool that made it cozy to be in the kitchen baking for the holidays.
Speaking of baking, it’s been nothing but cookies at Cook With Manali lately. These Christmas Kiss Cookies are among my favorites. I baked a lot of holiday treats before leaving on vacation, and the weeks leading up to the trip were hectic — many long days in the kitchen, a few recipe failures, and several successes that I couldn’t wait to share. These cookies were definitely one of the wins.
They look so cheerful and seasonal — perfect for gift boxes, cookie trays, or a holiday treat to enjoy with friends and family.
What I love most about these cookies is how easy they are. You only need a handful of basic ingredients: flour, butter, white and brown sugar, milk, vanilla extract, an egg yolk, and a pinch of salt. You probably already have them in your pantry. For the finishing touch, use Hershey’s Kisses and festive Christmas sprinkles. I used mini Hershey’s Kisses, but full-size Kisses work well too.
These cookies make a lovely homemade gift — wrap them in small treat bags or a decorative box for a thoughtful seasonal present.
Method
Begin by creaming the butter with the brown and white sugars using the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer, until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and milk, mixing until everything is combined.
Stir in the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt until a soft dough forms. Wrap the dough in cling film and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. After chilling, roll the dough into roughly 1-inch balls — you should get about 25–30 cookies from this batch. Roll each ball in Christmas sprinkles until fully coated.
Use your thumb to press a small indentation into the center of each ball. Place the cookies about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets and bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes — I baked mine for 10 minutes. If you prefer a softer cookie, check at 8 minutes.
Remove the trays from the oven and press each cookie again in the center to deepen the indentation. Immediately place a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie so the chocolate melts slightly and adheres to the cookie as it cools.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 3–4 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. The kisses will set as the cookies cool, giving you the iconic look and a delicious chocolate center.
Notes: Bake about 8 minutes for softer cookies; 10 minutes yields a slightly firmer cookie. These make about 25 cookies depending on the exact size of your dough balls.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup assorted Christmas sprinkles
- 25–30 Mini Hershey’s Kisses (or regular size)
Instructions (summary)
- Cream butter and sugars, then add egg yolk, vanilla, and milk.
- Mix in flour and salt to form dough; chill 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and coat in sprinkles.
- Press an indentation into each ball, space on baking sheet, and bake 8–10 minutes.
- Press center again after baking, place a Kiss in each cookie, and cool on a wire rack.
Additional Info
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: World
Christmas Kiss Cookies
