STRAWBERRY KISS COOKIES
These adorable and delicious cookies combine a buttery shortbread base with a sweet and colorful strawberry kiss candy. They're perfect for holidays, parties, or just a sweet treat. The chilling time is important for the texture, so plan accordingly.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 bag (10-12 ounces) strawberry kiss candies, unwrapped
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about1 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer.
- Add vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight. This chilling period is crucial for preventing spreading and making the dough easier to handle.
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Shape the cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Be careful not to overbake.
- Add kisses: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a strawberry kiss candy firmly into the center of each cookie.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire rack.
Notes
- Chilling: Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much and for making the dough easier to handle. Don't skip this step!
- Cookie Size: The size of the cookie balls will affect the baking time. Smaller balls will bake faster, and larger balls will take longer.
- Kiss Placement: Pressing the kisses into the cookies while they are still hot is important. This will allow the kisses to adhere to the cookies as they cool.
- Candy Variations: You can use other types of Hershey's kisses or similar candies in different flavors or colors.
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.