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Strawberry Kiss Cookies: Easy Cake Mix Recipe for Valentine’s Day Treats
Need a last-minute Valentine’s Day dessert that looks and tastes amazing? You need a festive treat that’s quick and impressive, but the thought of a complicated recipe feels overwhelming. These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are the perfect solution for that exact moment.
Making Strawberry Kiss Cookies is incredibly easy, especially with a cake mix: Simply combine strawberry cake mix, softened butter, cream cheese, and an egg to form a soft dough. Roll the dough into balls, bake for a short time, and press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. This method guarantees soft, chewy, and festive pink cookies in about 30 minutes.
This kitchen-tested and approved recipe is designed for foolproof results every time. In this guide, you will discover not only the core recipe but also expert tips to achieve the perfect texture and creative variations. Get ready to bake the most delicious and adorable strawberry kiss cookies you’ve ever had.
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This tried and true recipe is your shortcut to impressive and delicious treats without the stress. By using a strawberry cake mix as the base, you skip most of the measuring and mixing, guaranteeing a perfectly flavored and beautifully pink dough every time. The addition of cream cheese is the secret to an incredibly soft chewy cookie texture that melts in your mouth. This simple method transforms a handful of ingredients into festive Valentine strawberry kiss cookies, making it the perfect solution for bake sales, parties, or a sweet surprise for your loved ones. This section provides the foundational steps to create these delightful cookies from start to finish.
Going beyond the basic steps is the secret to mastering any recipe. Once you have the core method down, these seven essential tips will elevate your Strawberry Kiss Cookies from good to absolutely perfect. This is where you’ll learn the techniques that professional baking tips offer, covering everything from ensuring the ideal soft and chewy texture to creative variations and proper storage. We’ll address common issues like troubleshooting cookies that spread too much and explore how to make ahead strawberry kiss cookie dough to save time. These insights are designed to give you complete confidence and consistent, delicious results every single time you bake.
Pin this easy recipe to your ‘Valentine’s Day Treats’ board!
This core, kitchen-tested process is the foundation for your baking success. Following these precise steps for strawberry cake mix cookies with hershey kiss topping ensures you get that signature soft texture and perfect blossom shape.
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) strawberry cake mix, such as Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 oz cream cheese, fully softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, for rolling
- Approx. 36 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped (milk chocolate, strawberry-filled, or dark chocolate)
Instructions
- Preheat oven for cookies to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined.
- With the mixer on low, gradually blend cake mix into dough. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed until a soft, uniform pink dough forms.
- Scoop cookie dough into 1-inch balls and roll cookie dough in sugar to coat completely. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake strawberry kiss cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are slightly puffed. Do not overbake.
- Immediately upon removing from the oven, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. The cookie will crackle around the edges.
- Cool cookies on rack completely. The Kisses will soften but will firm up again as they cool.
Pro-Tip: For perfectly soft and chewy strawberry kiss cookies, do not overmix the dough once the cake mix is added. Mix just until no dry streaks remain. Overmixing can lead to a tougher, denser cookie.
2. Decorate with Fun and Festive Sprinkles
Save this decorating tip to make your cookies extra special!
While rolling the dough in sugar adds a lovely crunch, using sprinkles for cookies is a simple way to elevate their appearance for any occasion, from Valentine’s Day to a pink strawberry blossom cookies for baby shower.
Supplies Needed
- 1/2 cup sprinkles for cookies (e.g., Valentine’s nonpareils, pink or red sanding sugar, or heart-shaped sprinkles)
- A shallow bowl
Step-by-Step Directions
- After preparing the cookie dough as described in the main recipe, pour your chosen sprinkles into a shallow bowl.
- Instead of rolling the 1-inch dough balls in granulated sugar, coat cookies in sprinkles by rolling them gently in the bowl of sprinkles.
- Ensure the entire surface of the dough ball is covered for a dazzling effect.
- Place the sprinkle-coated balls on the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake as directed. The sprinkles will bake into the cookie, creating a beautiful, crunchy exterior.
Lesson Learned: In my experience, nonpareils or sanding sugar work best as they hold their shape and color well during baking. Larger shaped sprinkles (like big hearts) can sometimes melt or become distorted in the oven heat.
3. Choose the Perfect Hershey’s Kiss Topping
What’s your favorite Kiss flavor? Pin your choice!
The choice of Hershey’s Kisses topping can completely change the flavor profile of your cookies. While classic milk chocolate is traditional, exploring other varieties is a fun way to customize your batch.
What You Need
- A bag of your preferred Hershey’s Kisses (approx. 36)
Flavor Pairing Guide
- Classic Milk Chocolate: This is the traditional choice. Its creamy sweetness perfectly complements the bright strawberry flavor of the cookie.
- Special Dark Chocolate: For a richer, less sweet option. The bitterness of dark chocolate creates a sophisticated contrast with the sweet cookie base, similar to a chocolate-dipped strawberry.
- White Creme “Hugs”: These Kisses with chocolate stripes create a visually stunning cookie and offer a creamy, vanilla-forward flavor that blends beautifully with the strawberry.
- Limited Edition Flavors: For Valentine’s Day 2026, look for chocolate dipped strawberry kisses or strawberry ice cream cone kisses for a double-down on strawberry flavor and a unique pink-and-white look.
Pro-Tip: Unwrap all your Kisses and place them in a bowl before the cookies come out of the oven. You need to work quickly while the cookies are hot, and having the Kisses ready is essential for success.
4. Achieve the Perfect Soft and Chewy Texture
Pin this secret for the softest cookies ever!
The hallmark of a perfect cake mix cookie is its unmistakable soft and chewy center. Understanding the science of soft cookies is simple and comes down to a few key techniques that prevent a dry or cakey texture.
What You Need
- Room temperature ingredients (butter, cream cheese, egg)
- An oven thermometer (optional but recommended)
Key Steps for Softness
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This is the most critical step. Fully softened (not melted!) butter and cream cheese cream together to create a smooth, emulsified base that holds moisture. Cold ingredients will result in a lumpy dough and dense cookies.
- Do Not Overbake: This is the #1 reason for dry, hard cookies. Pull the cookies from the oven when the edges are just set and the centers look slightly underdone. They will continue to bake on the hot pan.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): If your kitchen is very warm or your dough is hard to work with because it’s sticky, chill it for 20-30 minutes. This solidifies the fat, prevents cookies spreading too much, and leads to a thicker, chewier final product.
Pro-Tip: For a guaranteed chewy texture, you can add an extra egg yolk to the dough along with the whole egg. The additional fat and protein in the yolk enhances chewiness and richness. This is a great tip from our professional baking tips playbook.
5. Make Ahead and Freeze for Later
A perfect time-saver! Pin this for your holiday baking prep.
Planning ahead is a baker’s best friend. This recipe is perfect for making in advance, so you can have fresh-baked cookies with minimal effort whenever the craving strikes.
What You Need
- A baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- A large, freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container
Freezing Instructions
- To Freeze Unbaked Dough: Prepare the dough and roll into balls as directed (do not roll in sugar yet). Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.
- “Flash freeze” by placing the entire baking sheet in the freezer for 1 hour, or until the dough balls are solid.
- Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored for up to 3 months.
- To Bake from Frozen: Preheat the oven. Place frozen dough balls on a prepared baking sheet, roll in sugar, and bake. You may need to add 1-3 minutes to the baking time. No need to thaw!
- To Freeze Baked Cookies: Bake and cool the cookies completely (without the Kiss on top). Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature and gently press a fresh Kiss on top before serving.
Pro-Tip: Label the freezer bag with the cookie type, baking temperature, and date. This makes it easy to grab and bake a quick dessert for unexpected guests without having to look up the recipe again.
6. Explore Creative Flavor and Mix-In Variations
Get creative! Pin these fun flavor ideas for later.
The basic recipe is fantastic on its own, but it also serves as a perfect canvas for creative additions. Folding in simple mix-ins can transform your cookies into a more gourmet strawberry kiss cookie.
What You Need
- The prepared strawberry cookie dough
- Your choice of mix-ins
Step-by-Step Directions
- Prepare the cookie dough according to the base recipe, stopping just before you would scoop it.
- Gently fold in your desired mix-ins with a spatula. Do not overmix.
- Scoop, roll, and bake as directed. Note that cookies with chunky mix-ins may not be perfectly round.
- Variation Ideas:
- White Chocolate Strawberry: Add 3/4 cup of white chocolate chips for a classic, creamy flavor pairing.
- Extra Strawberry Boost: Add 1/2 cup of crushed freeze-dried strawberries to intensify the natural strawberry flavor and add a slight tartness.
- Strawberry Shortcake: Use white chocolate chips in the dough and top with a white chocolate Kiss (like a Hug) for a “strawberries and cream” vibe.
Lesson Learned: When adding mix-ins, you may need to press the dough balls together more firmly to ensure they hold their shape. If using larger chunks, they can sometimes cause the dough to crumble slightly.
Keep them fresh! Pin this storage hack.
You’ve baked a perfect batch of soft cookies; now the goal is keeping them that way. Storing baked goods properly is simple and makes all the difference in preserving that fresh-from-the-oven texture.
Supplies Needed
- A large airtight container or cookie jar
- A slice of sandwich bread (optional)
Storage Steps
- Cool Completely: Ensure the cookies, including the chocolate Kisses, are 100% cooled and firm before attempting to store them. Storing warm cookies will create condensation and lead to soggy cookies.
- Layer Carefully: Place the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container. If you need to stack them, separate each layer with a sheet of parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking and protect the Kisses.
- Seal Tightly: Seal the container tightly and store at room temperature. The cookies will stay soft for up to 3-4 days.
- The Softness Secret: To keep the cookies extra soft, add a small piece of a slice of bread to the container. The cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, keeping them perfectly soft and chewy.
Pro-Tip: Do not refrigerate these cookies. The cold air in the refrigerator can dry them out and change their texture, making them hard instead of soft. Room temperature storage is best.
Here are the most important takeaways to ensure your homemade strawberry kiss cookies are a success:
- Cake Mix is the Secret to Simplicity: The foundation of this easy cookie recipe is a standard strawberry cake mix. It provides the flavor, color, and a significant portion of the dry ingredients, ensuring a soft chewy cookie with minimal effort.
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Non-Negotiable: For the softest, most uniform cookie, your butter, cream cheese, and egg must be at room temperature. This is the key to a smooth dough and prevents a dense, lumpy texture.
- Don’t Overbake: The most common mistake is baking for too long. Pull the cookies from the oven when the edges are set but the centers look slightly puffy and underdone. They will finish baking on the hot pan, guaranteeing a soft center.
- Press the Kiss Immediately: You must press the Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie the moment they come out of the oven. The cookie’s heat will melt the base of the Kiss just enough to adhere it perfectly as it cools.
- Store with a Slice of Bread: To keep your Strawberry Kiss Cookies soft for days, place them in an airtight container with a small piece of sandwich bread. This simple trick helps them retain moisture.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about making these delicious treats.
You can make strawberry kiss cookies easily by combining a strawberry cake mix with softened butter, cream cheese, and an egg. Form the dough into balls, roll them in sugar, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes. As soon as they come out of the oven, press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each hot cookie.
The vibrant pink color comes directly from the strawberry cake mix. Most commercial strawberry cake mixes contain food coloring to achieve their signature hue. This is a convenient shortcut that provides both flavor and color without needing to add any extra food coloring or purees to the dough.
Yes, you can make strawberry kiss cookies from scratch, but it requires more ingredients. A from-scratch recipe typically involves creaming butter and sugar, then adding flour, leavening agents, and a flavoring agent like strawberry extract or finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries to achieve the strawberry taste and color. The cake mix version is significantly faster.
The best way to prevent spreading is to chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This solidifies the fat (butter and cream cheese), so the cookies melt slower in the oven and hold their shape better. Also, ensure you are using softened, not melted, butter, as melted butter will cause the cookies to spread too much.
Cream cheese is the secret ingredient for an ultra-soft and chewy texture. It adds fat and moisture to the dough, creating a richer, more tender cookie than using butter alone. It also provides a subtle tangy flavor that beautifully balances the sweetness of the cake mix and the chocolate Kiss.
Yes, you can freeze both the unbaked dough and the finished cookies. To freeze dough, flash-freeze the rolled balls on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. To freeze baked cookies, cool them completely, then freeze them in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. It’s best to freeze them without the Kisses on top.
When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, strawberry kiss cookies will stay fresh and soft for about 3 to 5 days. To extend their softness, you can add a slice of bread to the container. Avoid refrigerating them, as the cold air can dry them out.
Classic milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses are the most popular choice. However, you can easily customize the flavor. Special Dark Kisses offer a rich contrast, while White Creme “Hugs” provide a creamy vanilla flavor. For an extra festive touch, look for limited edition flavors like Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Kisses around Valentine’s Day.
If your cookie dough is too sticky to handle, the easiest fix is to chill it. Place the bowl of dough in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. This will firm up the butter and cream cheese, making the dough much easier to scoop and roll into balls without sticking to your hands.
No, rolling in sugar is optional, but it adds a nice texture and a slightly crunchy exterior. If you prefer a softer, less sweet finish, you can skip this step. Another option is to roll the dough balls in festive sprinkles or nonpareils instead of sugar for a more decorative look.
Making bakery-worthy Strawberry Kiss Cookies at home is not only possible but incredibly simple. By leveraging the convenience of a strawberry cake mix and the rich texture provided by cream cheese, you’ve unlocked a foolproof formula for success. These cookies aren’t just a recipe; they are a perfect solution for holiday parties, thoughtful homemade gifts, or a simple afternoon treat. With their vibrant color and classic chocolate-strawberry flavor, they are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
What creative variations or Kiss combinations will you try first?
Last update on 2026-02-27 at 21:15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
