A Sweet Little Love Letter from My Kitchen 🍓💋
Every February, my grandmother’s kitchen smelled like sugar, butter, and something fruity that made you stop in your tracks. While she was Italian to the core, she adored American baking traditions—especially colorful holiday cookies. These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are inspired by that same joy: soft pink cookies with a bright strawberry flavor, crowned with a chocolate kiss that melts just enough to feel indulgent.
They’re cheerful enough for summer picnics, yet cozy and festive enough for winter holidays, Valentine’s Day, or Christmas cookie trays. One bite and you understand why these cookies disappear fast.
Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Kiss Cookies
- Soft, pillowy texture that melts in your mouth
- Sweet strawberry flavor without being artificial
- Perfect balance of fruity and chocolatey
- Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients
- Ideal for holidays, parties, or gifting
Whether you’re baking for loved ones or just yourself, these cookies feel like a little celebration.
What Are Strawberry Kiss Cookies?
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are a playful twist on classic thumbprint or blossom cookies. Instead of peanut butter, we use a strawberry-flavored dough made with strawberry extract and freeze-dried strawberries, then press a chocolate kiss into the center while they’re warm.
The result?
A tender cookie with a bright pink hue, a burst of strawberry flavor, and rich chocolate in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need (8 Cookies)
For the Cookies
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon strawberry extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup crushed freeze-dried strawberries
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of salt
For Topping
- 8 chocolate kisses (milk chocolate or dark chocolate)
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or whisk
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy—about 2 minutes. This step is key for soft cookies.
Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and strawberry extract. Mix until fully combined.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, crushed freeze-dried strawberries, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until a soft pink dough forms. Do not overmix.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Scoop the dough and roll into 8 equal balls. Place them evenly spaced on the baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges are set and the tops look slightly crackled.
Step 6: Add the Chocolate Kiss
Remove cookies from the oven and immediately press one chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.
Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack
Pro Tips for Perfect Strawberry Kiss Cookies
- Use freeze-dried strawberries, not fresh—they keep the dough from becoming wet
- Chill the dough to prevent spreading
- Press the chocolate kiss gently to avoid cracking
- For extra color, add a drop of pink food coloring (optional)
Flavor Variations You’ll Love
- White Chocolate Kiss Cookies – Swap milk chocolate for white chocolate
- Dark Chocolate Strawberry Cookies – Use dark chocolate kisses for a richer flavor
- Strawberry Lemon Kiss Cookies – Add ½ teaspoon lemon zest to the dough
Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
- Make Ahead: Dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours
- Storage: Store baked cookies in an airtight container for 3–4 days
- Freezing: Freeze baked cookies (without kisses) for up to 2 months
When to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies
These cookies work beautifully for:
- Valentine’s Day 💘
- Christmas cookie boxes 🎄
- Baby showers
- Summer picnics
- Afternoon tea
They’re versatile, cheerful, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Cookie)
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 9 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Sugar: 15 g
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh strawberries?
No—fresh strawberries add too much moisture. Freeze-dried strawberries give the best flavor and texture.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. This recipe scales perfectly.
What’s the best chocolate kiss to use?
Classic milk chocolate is traditional, but dark or white chocolate work beautifully.
Try These Related Recipes
- Classic Chocolate Blossom Cookies
- Strawberry Shortbread Cookies
- Italian Butter Cookies
External resources for baking tips:
- https://www.kingarthurbaking.com
- https://www.seriouseats.com
- https://www.bonappetit.com
- https://www.sallysbakingaddiction.com
Share the Love 💕
Did you bake these Strawberry Kiss Cookies?
Leave a comment, rate the recipe, or tell me how you customized them—I love hearing your twists!