Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe: Irresistible 6-Step Treat

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If you’re craving a dessert that’s pretty, nostalgic, and guaranteed to disappear fast, this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is calling your name. 💗 These soft, pink cookies with a chocolate kiss tucked right in the center feel like a warm hug from your childhood—only better, because now you control the cookie jar.

This is one of those recipes I lean on when life feels busy and I still want to make something special. The dough comes together quickly, the ingredients are pantry-friendly, and the end result looks like you spent way more time than you actually did. Whether you’re baking for Valentine’s Day, a baby shower, a cookie exchange, or just a random Tuesday that needs a little sweetness, this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe delivers every time.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Let me count the ways—because there are plenty.

Soft, pillowy texture with just the right amount of chew
Sweet strawberry flavor thanks to strawberry gelatin (no artificial fuss)
Chocolate kiss center that makes each cookie feel extra special
Make-ahead friendly dough (hello, stress-free baking!)
Perfect for gifting—they’re adorable, festive, and travel well

Honestly, these cookies are the kind that make people ask, “Can I get this recipe?” before they’ve even finished chewing.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything required for this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe. Nothing fancy—just simple ingredients doing delicious things together.

1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but lovely)
2 cups + 2 tablespoons (280g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 package (3 oz) strawberry-flavored gelatin mix
¼ cup powdered sugar, for dusting
24–30 chocolate kiss candies, unwrapped

💡 Little tip: Set your butter and egg out about 30 minutes before baking. Room-temperature ingredients blend more smoothly and give you that perfect cookie texture.

How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies (Step-by-Step)

Don’t worry—this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is very beginner-friendly. If you can stir and roll dough into balls, you’ve got this.

1. Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. This step is important—it helps create that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Beat until everything is well combined.

Next, mix in the strawberry-flavored gelatin powder. This is where the magic happens—the dough turns a beautiful pink and starts smelling amazing.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.

👉 If the dough feels a little too sticky, don’t panic. Add 1–2 tablespoons of flour until it’s easy to handle.

2. Shape & Chill the Cookies

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it between your palms to form a smooth ball. Place each dough ball on a lined baking sheet.

Now for the step you don’t want to skip: refrigerate the dough balls for at least 1 hour. You can even chill them overnight.

🧊 Why chill? Chilling prevents spreading and helps the cookies keep their adorable shape.

3. Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Arrange the chilled dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

🚫 Important: Do NOT press an indentation into the dough before baking. These cookies spread best when left alone.

Bake for 11–13 minutes, until the edges are set and slightly firm. The centers may look soft, but that’s exactly what you want.

4. Add the Chocolate Kisses

Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 2 minutes.

While still warm, gently press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. The heat helps the kiss stick without melting into a chocolate puddle.

5. Cool Completely

Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely. This allows the chocolate to set and the cookies to firm up just enough.

6. Dust with Powdered Sugar

Here’s my favorite little bakery-style touch.

Dust the cookies lightly with powdered sugar before pressing in the kisses if you want perfectly clean chocolate tops. If you already added the kisses, just dust carefully around them.

✨ Instant elegance.

Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe cooling on a wire rack with powdered sugar and chocolate kisses — These soft pink cookies from my Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe cool perfectly on a wire rack before serving.

Helpful Baking Tips (From My Kitchen to Yours)

Too-soft dough? Pop it back in the fridge for 10–15 minutes. Cold dough is happy dough.
Want extra strawberry flavor? Add a drop or two of strawberry extract (not too much!).
Chocolate melting too fast? Chill the kisses before baking so they hold their shape better.
Powdered sugar messy? Use a small mesh strainer for light, even dusting.

And remember—if your cookies aren’t perfectly round, congratulations. That means they’re homemade.

A Little Story From My Kitchen

I first made this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe during one of those weeks where everything felt chaotic—school forms, deadlines, and a fridge that looked suspiciously empty.

I needed something cheerful. Something pink. Something easy.

These cookies were it.

The moment they came out of the oven, my kitchen smelled sweet and cozy, and for a few minutes, everything felt calmer. Now, I bake them whenever I want to bring a little joy to the table—especially when life feels like one long to-do list.

FAQs About Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can refrigerate the dough balls for up to 24 hours or freeze them for later baking.

How do I store leftovers?

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They stay soft and delicious.

Can I use a different flavor of gelatin?

Yes! Raspberry or cherry gelatin also works, but the classic Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe has my heart.

Can I skip the almond extract?

Totally optional. It adds a subtle bakery-style flavor, but the cookies are still wonderful without it.

Ready to Bake Something Sweet?

There’s just something special about this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe—the color, the flavor, the simplicity. It’s the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary day into a “let’s bake cookies” kind of day.

If you try these, don’t be surprised if they become a regular request from friends and family. And honestly? That’s the best compliment a cookie can get. 💕

Happy baking!

More Sweet Treats to Try Next

If baking these cookies put you in a cozy, happy mood (and honestly, how could it not?), here are a few more sweet treats that pair beautifully with this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe. They’re perfect for cookie exchanges, holidays, or those moments when you just want to keep the oven warm and the good vibes going.

These heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies perfect for Valentine’s Day and special occasions are adorable, festive, and just as fun to share as they are to bake.
If you’re loving pink, soft cookies with a bakery-style feel, you’ll enjoy these red velvet sugar cookies with a soft, chewy bite—they’re always a crowd-pleaser.
Chocolate kisses having their moment? Don’t miss these classic peanut butter blossoms with chocolate kisses, a timeless favorite that never goes out of style.
For something a little more elegant but still comforting, these creme brulee cookies with a bakery-style twist are a wonderful next bake.
And if you’re curious to see another fun take on this same cookie, you might enjoy this strawberry kiss cookies recipe with a slightly different twist for even more inspiration.

It’s all about mixing, matching, and finding the recipes that make your kitchen feel warm, happy, and just a little extra sweet.