Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are sweet little treats filled with soft, chewy strawberry flavor and topped with a classic chocolate kiss. These cookies look adorable and have that perfect mix of…
Tip: save now, cook later.Strawberry Kiss Cookies are sweet little treats filled with soft, chewy strawberry flavor and topped with a classic chocolate kiss. These cookies look adorable and have that perfect mix of fruity and chocolaty that makes you want to grab just one more.
I love making these whenever I need a simple dessert that’s sure to make everyone smile. The best part is how easy they are to bake — just mix up the dough, shape the cookies, bake, and press the chocolate kiss in while they’re still warm. I always find that fresh strawberries or strawberry jam give them an extra burst of fruity goodness.
These cookies are my go-to for sharing with friends or bringing to a potluck. They’re fun to make with kids too, since pressing the chocolate kisses on feels like a tiny celebration. Whenever I serve these, they disappear fast, and honestly, I can’t blame anyone for going back for seconds!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: Butter gives these cookies a tender, rich base. I recommend unsalted so you can control the salt level, but if you only have salted butter, skip adding extra salt in the recipe.
Strawberry Extract & Freeze-Dried Strawberries: These bring a strong strawberry flavor and pretty pink color. If you can’t find freeze-dried strawberries, finely chopped fresh strawberries work but can add extra moisture, so reduce milk slightly.
Edible Candy Lips or Candy Melts: These cute lip toppers make the cookies fun and festive. You can substitute with chocolate kisses or heart-shaped candies for a different look.
How Do I Get Soft, Chewy Cookies with a Perfect Strawberry Flavor?
The key to soft cookies is mixing the butter and sugar until fluffy—this traps air for a light texture. Adding strawberry extract and freeze-dried strawberries keeps the flavor bright without extra moisture.
- Beat butter and sugar well before adding eggs and extracts.
- Don’t overmix after adding flour; stop as soon as combined to keep cookies tender.
- Press candy lips into the cookies right after baking while they’re warm so they stick nicely without melting completely.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls – for combining your wet and dry ingredients easily.
- Electric mixer or hand whisk – helps cream butter and sugar until fluffy, which is key for soft cookies.
- Baking sheets – a flat surface to bake your cookies evenly.
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat – prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup quick.
- Cookie scoop or spoon – for shaping consistent cookie dough balls.
- Cooling rack – allows cookies to cool evenly without getting soggy underneath.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap strawberry extract with raspberry or cherry for a different fruity twist that keeps the pink color.
- Mix in mini white chocolate chips for extra creamy sweetness that pairs well with strawberry.
- Add a sprinkle of lemon zest to the dough for a fresh citrus note that brightens the flavor.
- Use dark or milk chocolate kisses instead of candy lips for a classic, rich finish everyone loves.
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies?
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For The Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons strawberry extract or strawberry flavoring
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup finely crushed freeze-dried strawberries (for color and flavor)
- Pink or red tinted sanding sugar or sprinkles (optional, for texture)
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream (if dough is too dry)
For The Topping:
- Edible pink or red candy lips decorations or pink candy melts shaped into lips
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 10-12 minutes to bake, plus a few minutes resting time for cooling. So overall, expect about 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s quick and fun to make!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Get Ready & Make The Dough:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Then beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and strawberry extract until everything is combined and smooth.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients & Combine:
In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and crushed freeze-dried strawberries. Gradually mix these dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. If your dough feels too dry, add milk or cream little by little just until you have a soft, manageable dough. If you like, fold in some pink or red sanding sugar for a little extra sparkle and crunch.
3. Shape & Bake Cookies:
Use a spoon or cookie scoop to form small dough balls about 1 to 1½ inches wide. Place the dough balls on your baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, just until the edges start to set but the tops are still soft.
4. Add The Candy Lips Topping:
Right after taking the cookies out of the oven, gently press one edible candy lips decoration onto the center of each warm cookie so it sticks without melting all the way. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Enjoy Your Strawberry Kiss Cookies!
Once cooled, your cookies are ready to serve and enjoy! They taste fruity, soft, and super cute — perfect for sharing or gifting.
Can I Use Fresh Strawberries Instead of Freeze-Dried?
Yes, but fresh strawberries add moisture, so reduce or skip the milk in the dough to avoid a sticky batter. Also, chop the berries very finely and pat them dry with paper towels before mixing in.
How Should I Store Strawberry Kiss Cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep the candy lips decorations fresh, avoid stacking cookies on top of each other.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before scooping and baking.
What Can I Substitute for Candy Lips Decorations?
If you can’t find candy lips, chocolate kisses, heart-shaped candies, or even a small dollop of colored frosting work great to top these cookies while warm.