The Best Hershey Kiss Gingerbread Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Hershey kiss gingerbread cookies elevate ordinary baking into a magical winter celebration.

Sweet and spicy aromas fill the kitchen with nostalgic warmth when these delectable treats emerge from the oven.

Soft cookie textures complement the smooth chocolate center, creating a delightful sensory experience for anyone who loves seasonal desserts.

Rich holiday spices dance through each carefully crafted morsel, promising comfort and joy in every single bite.

Delicate sugar crystals sparkle across the cookie surface, adding a festive crunch that elevates the entire treat.

Crafting these cookies connects generations, blending traditional flavors with contemporary chocolate indulgence.

Gather your loved ones and prepare for a mouthwatering adventure that captures the essence of winter cheer.

Why Hershey Kiss Gingerbread Cookies Bring the Holiday Cheer

• Festive Flavor Fusion: Combines the warm, spicy notes of traditional gingerbread with the sweet, creamy chocolate of Hershey's Kisses for a holiday treat that delights taste buds.
• Stress-Free Baking Experience: Simple mixing method and make-ahead dough allow even novice bakers to create impressive cookies with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.
• Texture Wonderland: Offers a perfect balance of crisp edges and soft, chewy centers, enhanced by the smooth chocolate kiss that melts slightly when pressed into the warm cookie.
• Quick Holiday Charm: Prepares in under an hour of active time (excluding chilling), making it an ideal last-minute dessert for seasonal gatherings or unexpected sweet cravings.

What You Need for Hershey Kiss Gingerbread Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Fine white flour that provides structure and texture to the cookie base.
• Ground Ginger: Warm spice that gives traditional gingerbread flavor with a subtle heat.
• Ground Cinnamon: Classic baking spice that adds sweet and woody warmth to the cookies.
• Baking Soda: Essential leavening agent that helps cookies rise and become light.
• Ground Nutmeg: Aromatic spice that contributes a rich, slightly sweet undertone.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter: Rich dairy product that creates tender and flavorful cookie texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel-like sweetness to the cookie dough.
• Molasses: Dark syrup that provides rich color and distinct gingerbread flavor.
• Egg: Binding ingredient that helps hold the cookie dough together.
• Vanilla Extract: Smooth flavoring that enhances the overall taste profile.

• Granulated Sugar: Coating that adds sweet crunch and sparkle to cookie exterior.
• Coarse Sugar: Alternative coating that provides extra texture and visual appeal.
• Hershey Kisses: Chocolate candy that creates a delightful centerpiece for each cookie.

How to Make Hershey Kiss Gingerbread Cookies from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Ginger
• Cinnamon
• Baking soda
• Nutmeg
• Salt

Set the mixture aside for later use.

Step 2: Create Wet Mixture

• Molasses
• Egg
• Vanilla

Mix thoroughly until well combined.

Step 3: Combine Dough

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture on low speed until a smooth dough forms. Shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Step 4: Prepare for Baking

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove chilled dough and shape into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in granulated or coarse sugar. Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Step 5: Bake Cookies

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges show slight browning. Immediately after removing from oven, gently press a Hershey kiss into the center of each warm cookie.

Step 6: Cool and Set

Transfer cookies to wire racks and allow to cool completely. This helps cookies firm up and prevents sticking.

Step 7: Store and Enjoy

Place cooled cookies in an airtight container. These delightful treats will stay fresh for up to 5 days. Share and savor!

Tips for Perfect Hershey Kiss Gingerbread Cookies Every Time

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate the dough for at least 4 hours to prevent spreading and enhance the rich, spicy flavor profile during baking.
• Sugar Coating Trick: Roll cookie balls generously in granulated sugar for a delightful crackly exterior and extra sweet crunch.
• Kiss Placement Perfection: Press Hershey kisses immediately after removing cookies from the oven while they're still warm to help chocolates melt slightly and adhere beautifully.
• Spice Balance Boost: Use fresh, high-quality ground spices to elevate the gingerbread's warm, aromatic characteristics and ensure maximum flavor intensity.
• Storage Wisdom: Keep cookies in a single layer with parchment paper between stacks to maintain their shape and prevent chocolate kisses from sticking together.

Storing Hershey Kiss Gingerbread Cookies Without Losing That Chew

• Refrigerate: Store cookies in an airtight container, layering between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Properly sealed cookies will maintain their delicious flavor and soft texture for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies or entire batches tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe containers. Frozen gingerbread cookies can last up to 3 months without losing their rich, spicy taste.
• Reheating: Bring frozen or refrigerated cookies to room temperature naturally for best texture. Warm briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes if you prefer a slightly crisp edge and soft center. Microwave sparingly to avoid hardening the delicate Hershey kiss topping.

Best Pairings for Hershey Kiss Gingerbread Cookies

• Sip Spiced Mulled Wine: Complement the warm, rich gingerbread cookie flavors with a glass of mulled wine. The spicy notes of cinnamon, cloves, and orange in the wine beautifully echo the cookie's aromatic spices.
• Pair with Creamy Eggnog: Indulge in a classic holiday beverage that perfectly matches the cookie's sweet and spicy profile. The thick, creamy texture of eggnog balances the crisp edges of the gingerbread cookie.
• Enhance with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cool down the warm spices by serving these cookies alongside a scoop of smooth vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, sweet creaminess creates a delightful contrast to the cookie's rich, molasses-based flavor.
• Match with Chai Tea Latte: Brew a hot chai tea latte that mirrors the cookie's warm spice blend. The cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon in the tea complement the cookie's intricate flavor profile.

Hershey Kiss Gingerbread Cookies with a Flavor Twist

• Chocolate Chip Crunch: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips into the dough for extra chocolatey goodness and add a satisfying crunch to the classic gingerbread cookie.
• Nutty Ginger Sensation: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough before baking, creating a rich, textured cookie with a delightful nutty undertone.
• Spiced Caramel Drizzle: After cooling, drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the cookies and dust with additional cinnamon for a luxurious, decadent treat that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Orange Zest Sparkle: Incorporate fresh orange zest into the dough and top with white chocolate Hershey kisses, bringing a bright, citrusy note to the warm spiced cookie.

Hershey Kiss Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Hershey Kiss Gingerbread Cookies combine classic holiday warmth with chocolate charm. Spiced dough cradles a chocolate kiss, creating a festive treat that melts hearts and delights senses in one delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (720 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) softened butter (1 ¼ sticks)
• 48 unwrapped Hershey’s kisses (milk or white chocolate)

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) firmly packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) granulated sugar (optional, for topping)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a comprehensive mixture of all-purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, baking soda, ground nutmeg, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl. Set this aromatic dry blend to the side.
2. Using an electric mixer, cream unsalted butter and dark brown sugar at medium speed until the mixture becomes light, airy, and well-incorporated. Introduce molasses, egg, and pure vanilla extract, blending thoroughly until a uniform consistency is achieved.
3. Slowly incorporate the prepared dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing at low speed to create a smooth, cohesive dough. Shape the dough into a compact disk, encase it completely in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours (or overnight) to enhance flavor development and improve texture.
4. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove chilled dough and form into uniform 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) diameter balls. Roll each ball generously in granulated sugar, then arrange them 2 inches (5 centimeters) apart on ungreased baking sheets.
5. Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, watching for subtle browning around the cookie edges. Immediately after removing from the oven, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss chocolate into the center of each warm cookie.
6. Transfer cookies to wire cooling racks, allowing them to cool completely and solidify. This ensures the cookies maintain their shape and prevent sticking.
7. Store the finished gingerbread cookies in an airtight container, where they will remain fresh and delectable for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Capture holiday magic with these festive gingerbread cookies that melt in your mouth and sparkle with sweet Hershey kiss centers.
• Chill dough overnight to develop deeper, richer flavor profiles and ensure perfect cookie texture.
• Rolling cookies in sugar creates a delightful crackly exterior that adds extra crunch and sweetness.
• Pressing chocolate kisses immediately after baking allows them to slightly melt, creating a gorgeous glossy finish.
• Storing cookies in an airtight container helps maintain their soft texture and preserves their delectable spiced taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 195 kcal
• Sugar: 14g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: <1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 20mg