Description
Delight in the rich, fudgy goodness of Chocolate Kiss Cookies, featuring a perfectly soft cocoa cookie base topped with a classic chocolate kiss. These easy-to-make American dessert treats are perfect for holidays or any chocolate craving, with a sweet sugar coating and a melty chocolate center.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Coating and Topping
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 24 chocolate kiss candies, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for your cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, creating a homogeneous batter that binds the dough together.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and flavoring agents.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a soft dough forms without overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape Dough Balls and Sugar-Coat: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Then roll each ball in the additional granulated sugar to create a sweet, slightly crunchy exterior.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the cookies are set around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Add Chocolate Kisses: Immediately upon removing the cookies from the oven, press one unwrapped chocolate kiss gently into the center of each cookie to avoid cracking.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Press the chocolate kisses in gently after baking to prevent cracking in the cookies.
- Chilling the dough for 20 minutes before baking helps reduce spreading, especially in warm kitchens.
- For extra festive flair, try rolling dough balls in colored sugar instead of plain granulated sugar.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to one week.
