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Sweet and Spicy Holiday Kiss Cookies
My Gingerbread Kiss Cookies have become a treasured part of my holiday baking tradition. The combination of warm spicy gingerbread with those adorable striped chocolate kisses creates something truly magical. Every time I bring these to a cookie exchange they're the first to disappear.
A Cookie That Brings Holiday Joy
Watching faces light up when people bite into these cookies makes my heart happy. The blend of cozy gingerbread spices with sweet chocolate creates pure holiday magic in every bite. They're so fun to make and always bring festive cheer to any cookie platter.
Your Shopping List for Cookie Success
- Unsalted sweet cream butter: The foundation for that perfect buttery cookie texture.
- Light brown sugar: Brings a lovely caramel warmth to every bite.
- Molasses: This gives our cookies that classic gingerbread flavor I love.
- Egg: Helps create that perfect chewy texture.
- Flour: Creates the structure for our cookies.
- Ground ginger: The star of our spice blend.
- Cinnamon: Adds that cozy warmth we all love.
- Ground nutmeg: Just a touch brings out all the other flavors.
- Allspice: My secret ingredient for extra holiday magic.
- Kosher salt: Balances all our sweet and spicy notes.
- Baking soda: Creates perfectly soft cookies.
- Vanilla extract: Adds that lovely sweet undertone.
- White sanding sugar: Gives our cookies their sparkly holiday dress.
- Chocolate striped Hershey Kisses: The perfect crowning touch.
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Baking Your Holiday Magic
- Start Your Dough
- Get your oven warming to 350ºF and line your baking sheets. Mix your flour and all those wonderful spices in a bowl.
- Create Cookie Magic
- Cream your brown sugar and butter until fluffy then mix in molasses egg and vanilla. Slowly add your spiced flour mixture until everything comes together beautifully.
- Shape and Sugar
- Roll your dough into balls give them a sparkly sugar coating and pop them on your baking sheets. Let them bake for about 8 minutes until perfect.
- Add the Final Touch
- While they're still warm press those pretty striped kisses right in the center. Let them cool completely before sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → When should I add the chocolate kiss?
Add the kiss 2-3 minutes after taking cookies out of oven. The cookies should be warm but not hot to prevent melting.
- → Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can chill the dough up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature until soft enough to roll into balls.
- → Why do my cookies spread too much?
Make sure your butter isn't too soft and don't flatten the dough balls. Chilling the dough can also help prevent spreading.
- → Can I freeze these cookies?
Freeze the baked cookies without the kisses. Add kisses after thawing and slightly warming the cookies.
- → What if I can't find striped kisses?
Regular chocolate kisses work just fine. You can also try other kiss varieties like dark chocolate or caramel.