Thank you so much for being here—truly 🤍 Every time you stop by to bake along with me, it reminds me why I love sharing these recipes so much. Right after this title, I get to share one of my all-time favorite holiday-style treats that somehow feels perfect any time of year. Cherry Kiss Cookies are soft, buttery, slightly crisp on the edges, and topped with that iconic chocolate kiss nestled into a sweet cherry-studded center. They’re nostalgic, beautiful, and honestly… anything but boring!!
Overview of Cherry Kiss Cookies
These Cherry Kiss Cookies are a timeless favorite that combines tender cookie dough, bright maraschino cherries, and rich chocolate kisses. They’re simple enough for beginner bakers but special enough to show up on cookie trays, holiday platters, or cozy weekend baking sessions. I promised you versatile, and here’s proof—these cookies fit every occasion.
Reasons to Love This Recipe
- Soft, buttery cookie base
- Sweet cherry flavor in every bite
- Chocolate kiss center = instant classic
- Easy to make with pantry staples
- Perfect for gifting and sharing
What Do Cherry Kiss Cookies Taste Like?
They’re lightly sweet and buttery with pops of cherry flavor throughout, finished with creamy milk chocolate in the center. The contrast between the soft cookie and the chocolate kiss is what makes these cookies so irresistible. The smell when these are baking is incredible!!
Benefits of This Recipe
- Crowd-pleasing and kid-friendly
- No chilling required
- Great make-ahead cookie
- Beautiful presentation with minimal effort
Ingredients for Cherry Kiss Cookies
Main Ingredients
- Unsalted butter, softened
- Granulated sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Maraschino cherries, finely chopped
- Chocolate kiss candies, unwrapped
- Powdered sugar (optional, for rolling)
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
One of the best things about Cherry Kiss Cookies is how easy they are to customize:
- Use dark chocolate kisses instead of milk chocolate
- Skip powdered sugar and roll dough in granulated sugar
- Add a little cherry juice for extra color
- Swap almond extract for extra vanilla if preferred
- Use gluten-free flour blend if needed
How to Make Cherry Kiss Cookies
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Gently fold in finely chopped maraschino cherries.
- Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls.
- Roll each ball in powdered sugar if desired and place on baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until set but not browned.
- Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
What to Serve with Cherry Kiss Cookies
These cookies are perfect on their own, but they pair beautifully with:
- Hot cocoa or coffee
- Vanilla ice cream
- Holiday cookie platters
- Milk (classic and unbeatable)
Tips for the Best Cherry Kiss Cookies
- Pat cherries dry before chopping to avoid excess moisture
- Press the kiss in gently so cookies don’t crack
- Don’t overbake—cookies should stay pale
- Unwrap chocolate kisses before baking to save time
Storage Instructions
Store Cherry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
General Information
- Cuisine: American baking classic
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch
Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Kiss Cookies
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze these cookies?
Absolutely. Freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough balls.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Butter may have been too warm or cherries too wet—pat them dry well.
Can I use fresh cherries?
Maraschino cherries work best for flavor and texture in this recipe.
Conclusion
These Cherry Kiss Cookies are a perfect blend of nostalgic charm and bakery-style beauty. They’re easy to make, fun to share, and always the first cookies to disappear from the plate. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just because, this is one recipe you’ll come back to again and again.