Strawberry Chocolate Kiss Cookies

By Lily | Last modified on Feb 3, 2026

Featured in: Desserts

These Strawberry Chocolate Kiss Cookies are a delightful celebration of sweet and fruity flavors combined with chocolatey goodness, perfect for brightening any occasion. Their vibrant red color and the classic Hershey’s Kiss topping make them not only delicious but visually irresistible, especially appealing during Valentine’s Day or any festive gathering.

With a simple cake mix base transformed into charming cookies, this recipe offers a fun and quick baking experience that yields soft, chewy treats coated in sparkling red candy sprinkles. Whether you’re baking with kids or preparing a thoughtful homemade gift, these cookies are sure to impress!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy to prepare with just a few ingredients.
Bright pink strawberry flavor lively paired with smooth chocolate.
Festive look makes it perfect for Valentine’s Day or special occasions.
Soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients

Strawberry Cake Mix (15.25 oz box): Provides a sweet and fruity strawberry base that forms the dough for the cookies.
Eggs (2 large): Bind the ingredients together while adding moisture and richness to the cookie dough.
Butter (⅓ cup, melted): Adds creamy richness and helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
Flour (1 tablespoon): Keeps hands from sticking when rolling the dough into balls, ensuring smooth shaping.
Red Candy Sprinkles (1 cup): Coats the dough balls for a festive, colorful exterior with added crunch and visual appeal.
Hershey’s Kisses Chocolate Candy (24 pieces): Placed on top after baking, adding a signature chocolate touch that complements the strawberry flavor.

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Surface: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making clean-up easier.
Mix the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, eggs, and melted butter. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated into a soft dough. This combination creates a richly flavored and moist cookie base.
Shape and Coat the Cookie Dough: Pour the red candy sprinkles into a small bowl. Using a spoon, scoop about one tablespoon of dough at a time. Dust your fingers lightly with flour to prevent sticking, then roll each portion into a smooth ball. Roll each ball in the candy sprinkles to cover generously, adding vibrant color and texture.
Arrange Cookies on the Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Filling the sheet without crowding allows heat to circulate properly, ensuring all cookies bake uniformly with soft centers.
Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes, or until the edges set but the cookie centers remain soft. This short baking time preserves chewiness and prevents dryness.
Add Hershey’s Kisses and Cool: Immediately after removing from the oven, press a Hershey’s Kiss gently into the center of each cookie while warm. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet to firm up before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely. This step ensures the candy adheres and slightly melts into the cookie.

You Must Know

Make sure to melt the butter completely, but not hot, so it incorporates smoothly in the batter.
Rolling the dough in sprinkles when slightly sticky helps them adhere better for a striking appearance.
Press the Hershey’s Kiss in while the cookie is warm, not hot, to avoid candy melting too much.

Storage Tips

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and chewiness. For longer storage, freeze cookies in a sealed bag or container for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cookies alongside a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot chocolate for a cozy treat. They also make charming party favors packaged in decorative boxes or cellophane bags tied with ribbon for gift-giving.

Professional Tips

If you want a stronger strawberry flavor, consider adding a half teaspoon of strawberry extract to the dough.
Use a cookie scoop to measure dough portions evenly, ensuring consistent size and baking time.
For extra sparkle, mix some edible glitter or shimmer sugar with the red sprinkles before rolling.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor cake mix?: Yes! While strawberry is recommended to achieve the best flavor pairing with the kisses, you can experiment with other flavors like chocolate or vanilla for unique variations.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?: This recipe does not require chilling, but if your kitchen is warm, a brief chill for 10 minutes can help dough firm up for easier rolling.
What if I don’t have red candy sprinkles?: You can substitute with colored sugar crystals, nonpareils, or omit entirely, though the sprinkles add both texture and festive color.
How do I avoid the kisses melting too much?: Press the kisses onto the cookies just after baking, while the cookies are warm but not piping hot. This allows the candy to stick without fully melting.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?: This recipe relies on cake mix, which commonly contains gluten. Look for a certified gluten-free strawberry cake mix to make this adaptation.
What is the best way to store these cookies?: Keep cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days or freeze for longer storage.
Can I double the recipe?: Absolutely! Just double all ingredients and bake cookies on separate sheets to allow for even baking time and temperature.