Surprise kiss cookies have a hidden chocolate kiss inside! These cookies are the perfect dessert to make for Valentine’s Day and Christmas cookie swaps!
These cookies have a secret, or should I say a surprise? Hidden in each cookie is a Hershey’s Kiss! You would never know from picking up one of these confectioners’ sugar covered cookies, but sure enough there is a chocolate surprise in each one!
I am a huge fan of surprises, especially when they come in dessert form. You think you’re getting one thing, and then surprise! It turns out to be better than you thought. That is exactly what these cookies do.
What are surprise kiss cookies?
Surprise kiss cookies appear to be cookies covered in confectioners’ sugar, but in fact they are so much more. Not only are they packed with crushed walnuts, enhance the buttery and crunchy texture of the cookie, but they are also hiding a secret Hershey’s Kiss inside.
Now usually when I come across dessert like this, I think, “How on earth did they do that while keeping the surprise intact through the whole baking process?” Magic. Okay, not really, but when it came to these surprise kiss cookies, it was pretty easy.
How to make a hidden kiss cookie
The dough is quick and easy to make with only 5 ingredients— butter, sugar, vanilla, flour and chopped walnuts. Then the key step is to refrigerate the dough before forming it into balls. The chilled dough keeps the cookies from expanding too much and helps the Hershey’s Kiss stay in tact.
After the dough is chilled, wrap it around a chocolate Hershey’s kiss. Immediately place it no a cookie sheet and bake it at 375 F. The higher oven temperature will help the cookies bake faster, which means less spreading and the kiss will be perfectly shaped inside!
Finally, roll the baked cookies in confectioners’ sugar for a snowball effect. Do this while the cookies are still slightly warm as the sugar will stick better.
Cookies using Hershey’s Kisses
Do you love Hershey’s Kisses? Here are a few recipes for you to try…
- Peanut butter blossoms – peanut butter cookies rolled in granulated sugar and topped with a chocolate kiss
- Chocolate peppermint blossoms – Chocolate peppermint cookies topped with a peppermint Hershey’s kiss
- Red velvet kiss cookies – Rich red velvet cookies with a dark chocolate kiss on top
- Smore’s kiss cookies – peanut butter cookies topped with marshmallow creme and a Hershey’s kiss
- Pie crust kiss cookies – Chocolate kisses wrapped in buttery, flaky pie dough
There are so many occasions to make these surprise kiss cookies too! Valentine’s Day is obvious, as are cookie swaps at Christmas time. I like the idea of making these for a family member or friend to show them you love them! Or maybe to just show off your baking skills 🙂
Surprise Kiss Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (125 g) finely chopped walnuts
- 36 milk chocolate kiss candies, unwrapped
- 1/2 cup (60 g) confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), combine butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add flour and walnuts. Stir until well blended.
- Cover dough and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375° F degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Measure about 1 tablespoon of dough and shape it around one chocolate kiss and roll it to make a ball (cover chocolate completely). Place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake at 375° F for 12 minutes or until cookies are set but not browned (the edges may be golden).
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. While the cookies are still warm, roll them in confectioners’ sugar. Set on a wire rack.
- Before serving, add more powdered sugar, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Recipe adapted from Cakes Cottage.
Bethany says
I have left over peppermint kisses from Christmas- do you think they’d taste yummy in these cookies?
Haley says
Absolutely!
Denise Moore says
is this all purpose flour or self rising?
Haley says
Hi Denise – I used all purpose flour!
Lisa says
Can these be frozen?
amber says
yes!
i make up the dough balls then freeze or we’d eat them all way too quickly!
i also freeze them baked for shipping out.
amber in denver, 12 23 2017
Kara says
I absoultely love this recipe. So yummy. You think this would work well with other types of chocolate candies in the center?
Tracey says
Made these with peppermint kisses! Yummy! My family’s new favorite! This next batch I decided to roll then refrigerate, my dough was to hard to handle. Hoping they turn out just as good!
Rosa says
Hi do I preheat the oven before I bake the cookies?
Thank you
Haley says
Hi Rosa – In step 3, the recipe notes to preheat the oven. Do this while the dough is chilling. Enjoy!
Amanda says
Hi there ! How off would the recipe be if I use salted butter ?
I made the dough last night with unsalted and it did not form ! Want to try again
Haley says
Hi Amanda – There won’t be a huge difference if you use salted butter. Each stick of butter has about 1/8 teaspoon salt. If your dough isn’t forming, try adding 2 or 3 teaspoons of milk to the dough. Keep in mind the dough should be slightly crumbly though.