Strawberry Kiss Cookies

The first time I made these, my kitchen smelled like a strawberry patch in full bloom. My roommate kept wandering in, asking if they were done yet. That buttery strawberry scent is absolutely intoxicating.

I brought a batch to my nieces birthday party last May, and her little friends went absolutely wild for them. Watching six year olds get strawberry jam smeared across their grinning faces was worth every minute of prep time. Now they request them for every celebration.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter creates that tender melt in your mouth texture we all crave
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough while helping those edges crisp up beautifully
• Large egg: Binds everything together and adds structure for the perfect cookie shape
• Pure vanilla extract: Enhances the strawberry flavor without overpowering it
• All purpose flour: The foundation that holds all those fruity bits in place
• Baking powder: Gives these cookies just enough lift to stay soft and pillowy
• Salt: Balances sweetness and makes all the flavors pop
• Fresh diced strawberries: Little bursts of juicy freshness throughout every bite
• Strawberry jam: Concentrated fruit flavor that stays moist during baking
• Milk chocolate kisses: The crowning glory that makes these cookies absolutely irresistible

Instructions

Get your oven ready:

Preheat to 350°F and line those baking sheets with parchment paper so nothing sticks

Cream the butter and sugar:

Beat them together until the mixture looks fluffy and pale, about 2 to 3 minutes of serious mixing

Add the egg and vanilla:

Mix until everything is smoothly combined and the mixture looks glossy

Whisk your dry ingredients:

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl so they distribute evenly

Combine it all:

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until you no longer see flour streaks

Fold in the fruit:

Gently incorporate those diced strawberries and jam until they are evenly distributed but still visible

Scoop and space:

Drop tablespoon sized balls onto the baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each for spreading

Bake to perfection:

Cook for 11 to 13 minutes until edges barely turn golden and centers still look slightly soft

Add the chocolate kiss:

Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each hot cookie right after removing from the oven

Cool completely:

Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to finish cooling

Save

My grandmother tried one and said it reminded her of the chocolate covered strawberries she used to get at the county fair. There is something about that warm chocolate meeting sweet berry that feels nostalgic and brand new all at once.

Making Them Ahead

You can scoop the dough balls and freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a storage bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding just 1 to 2 extra minutes. I have started doing this for impromptu dessert emergencies.

Troubleshooting Your Cookies

If your cookies spread too much, the dough might have been too warm or the butter too soft. I learned this after a particularly flat batch during summer. Chill the dough for 15 to 20 minutes before baking if your kitchen runs warm.

Serving Suggestions

These shine on dessert platters alongside vanilla ice cream or as part of a spring themed cookie exchange. The contrast between the pink strawberry bits and brown chocolate kisses makes them naturally photogenic.

• Pair with a cup of Earl Grey tea to bring out the fruit notes
• Serve them slightly warm for that extra gooey chocolate experience
• Dust with powdered sugar right before serving for a festive finish

Save

There is nothing quite like biting into one of these still warm from the oven. Pure strawberry bliss.

Recipe Questions & Answers

→ Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries, but make sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess moisture in the dough. Fresh strawberries provide the best flavor and texture.

→ What type of chocolate kisses work best?

Milk chocolate kisses are traditional, but you can use white chocolate or dark chocolate kisses for different flavor profiles. Just ensure they're unwrapped before pressing into the warm cookies.

→ How should I store these cookies?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cookies maintain their soft texture and strawberry flavor when properly stored.

→ Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before scooping and baking for best results.

→ What's the best way to dice strawberries?

Use a sharp knife to dice strawberries into small, uniform pieces. This ensures even distribution throughout the cookie dough and prevents large chunks that might affect baking.