Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies: The Ultimate Holiday Treat Everyone Craves

There are holiday cookies… and then there are Candy Cane Kiss Cookies—the kind of festive, melt-in-your-mouth treats that instantly light up a room. These iconic Christmas cookies combine the buttery softness of a tender sugar cookie with the irresistible swirl of Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses, creating a treat that is nostalgic, cozy, and almost impossible to stop eating.

Whether you are baking for a cookie exchange, gifting festive treats, filling a holiday dessert table, or simply satisfying your own seasonal sweet tooth, these cookies deliver the kind of flavor, aroma, and texture that make the holidays magical. Their beautiful red-and-white peppermint-striped kisses sitting atop a soft, sugary cookie make them stand out in any lineup, while their sweet peppermint crunch adds the perfect holiday twist.

In this detailed guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to make the best Candy Cane Kiss Cookies ever—from ingredients to step-by-step instructions, pro tips, troubleshooting advice, serving suggestions, and variations to customize your cookies.

Why Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Are Irresistible

These cookies are loved for more than just their festive appearance. They perfectly balance peppermint sweetness, buttery richness, and soft, pillowy texture. Every bite gives you:

A soft, chewy cookie base with a hint of vanilla
A sparkling sugar exterior for a slight crunch
A cool peppermint burst from the Hershey’s Candy Cane Kiss
A delightful contrast between the warm cookie and the creamy candy

If your goal is to bake cookies that impress, photograph beautifully, and disappear quickly, these are the ones.

Ingredients and Their Roles

To make the perfect Candy Cane Kiss Cookies, you will need the following ingredients. Here’s a detailed explanation of the role of each ingredient:

Butter (1 cup, softened)

Butter provides the richness, moisture, and classic cookie flavor. Its fat content creates a soft crumb and tender bite. Properly softened butter is essential for creaming, which gives your cookies lift and light-as-air texture.

Granulated Sugar (1 cup)

Sugar sweetens the dough and helps the cookie achieve a soft center with a lightly crisp exterior. It also assists with proper spreading and browning during baking.

Egg (1 large)

The egg binds the dough, adds structure, promotes rise, and contributes moisture. Without it, the cookies would be dry and crumbly.

Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon)

Vanilla deepens the flavor of the cookie dough, enhancing sweetness and complementing the peppermint flavor of the candy.

Baking Powder (1 teaspoon)

This leavening agent helps the cookies puff slightly, creating a soft center without becoming too cakey.

Salt (¼ teaspoon)

Salt amplifies the other flavors in the cookie. It keeps the sweetness balanced and adds depth.

All-Purpose Flour (2 ¼ cups)

Flour forms the structure of the dough. Accurate measurement ensures the cookies remain soft and light instead of dense or tough.

Granulated or Holiday Sugar (for rolling)

Rolling the dough balls in sugar gives the cookies a sparkling exterior and a delicate crunch when bitten into.

Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses (about 36)

The star ingredient. These peppermint-striped chocolate candies melt slightly when placed on warm cookies but hold their iconic shape, giving the cookies their signature festive look and flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Tools

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Unwrap all Candy Cane Kisses in advance and freeze them for 15 minutes. Freezing helps the candies maintain their shape on warm cookies.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar using a mixer for 2–3 minutes, until the mixture becomes fluffy, pale, and aerated. This step ensures a soft and tender cookie texture.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. The dough should be smooth, slightly glossy, and cohesive.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed, mixing until a soft dough forms. Stop mixing once the flour is fully incorporated to avoid tough cookies.

Step 5: Shape the Dough

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball. Coat each ball in granulated sugar, then place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between them to allow for spreading.

Step 6: Bake the Cookies

Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cookies puff slightly and show small cracks on top. Do not overbake; soft cookies yield the best results.

Step 7: Add the Candy Cane Kisses

Immediately after removing cookies from the oven, press one Candy Cane Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. The heat will slightly soften the candy, creating a perfect bond.

Why This Recipe is Loved

These cookies check every box for holiday baking:

Visually stunning: The red-and-white striped candy creates a festive appearance.
Soft and chewy: Perfect texture that melts in your mouth.
Perfect for gifting: Stackable, portable, and delicious.
Simple ingredients: Uses basic pantry staples and a holiday candy.
Brings nostalgia: Evokes the joy and warmth of traditional holiday baking.

Pro Tips for Perfect Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

Freeze the kisses: Prevents melting and maintains shape.
Don’t overbake: Keep cookies light in color for soft texture.
Use holiday sugar: Red or green sugar adds sparkle and festive flair.
Chill sticky dough: Makes rolling easier.
Cool completely: Prevents the kisses from smudging or sliding off.

Troubleshooting Guide

Cookies Spread Too Much

Possible causes: oven too hot, butter too soft, or not enough flour. Solution: chill dough 20–30 minutes before baking.

Kisses Melting or Losing Shape

Possible causes: candy too warm, cookies too hot, pan overheated. Solution: freeze kisses before use and allow cookies to cool slightly on the pan.

Cookies Crack Excessively

Major cracks can indicate over-mixing or too-dry dough. Slight cracks are normal.

Serving Suggestions

Holiday Dessert Board: Combine with gingerbread, chocolate fudge, and peppermint bark.
Hot Chocolate Pairing: Dip cookies to slightly melt the candy for a decadent treat.
Gift Boxes: Stack cookies in decorative boxes for beautiful edible gifts.
Coffee or Tea: Sweet cookies balance rich, dark beverages.
Ice Cream Toppers: Crush leftover cookies over ice cream for added flavor and texture.

Storage Tips

Room Temperature: Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.
Refrigeration: Not necessary; cookies stay soft at room temperature.
Freezing Dough: Freeze dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen by adding 1 extra minute.
Freezing Baked Cookies: Freeze without kisses or layer carefully with parchment paper to avoid smudging.

Variations

Chocolate Candy Cane Kiss Cookies: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder for a chocolate-peppermint version.
Red Velvet Kiss Cookies: Add red food coloring and 1 tablespoon cocoa for a festive twist.
Almond-Flavored Cookies: Replace vanilla with almond extract for nutty notes.
Extra Peppermint Crunch: Roll in crushed candy canes for added festive texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chocolate Kisses instead of Candy Cane?

Yes! This gives classic chocolate blossom cookies. They remain delicious and festive.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely. Refrigerate for 2–3 days or freeze for months. Bake directly from cold or frozen for convenience.

Why are my cookies dry?

Likely causes: too much flour or overbaking. Follow measurements carefully and monitor oven closely.

Conclusion

These Candy Cane Kiss Cookies combine everything we love about holiday baking—festive flavor, nostalgic sweetness, stunning presentation, and effortless preparation. With simple pantry staples and iconic peppermint kisses, you can create soft, chewy, picture-perfect cookies that impress family, friends, coworkers, and anyone lucky enough to taste them.

This recipe is designed to be foolproof, delicious, and fully optimized for holiday baking success. Whether for parties, cookie swaps, holiday platters, or cozy personal enjoyment, these cookies are your ticket to unforgettable festive flavor.

Make these cookies today, and experience the joy of sharing a true holiday classic that is as beautiful as it is delicious. From first bite to last, the combination of buttery cookies and peppermint kisses ensures these treats will become a beloved tradition in your holiday baking repertoire.