Description
These festive Candy Cane Kiss Cookies are the perfect holiday treat—soft, buttery cookies speckled with crushed peppermint and topped with creamy striped Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses. Perfect for cookie swaps, Christmas dessert tables, or cozy winter nights in, these easy cookies are a crowd favorite. With their nostalgic flavor and picture-perfect look, they’re ideal for anyone searching for quick holiday cookies, easy baking recipes, or Christmas dessert ideas.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup crushed candy canes
24 Candy Cane Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped and frozen)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Freeze the unwrapped Candy Cane Kisses for at least 10 minutes.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
5. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
6. Gently fold in the crushed candy canes without overmixing.
7. Scoop dough into 1-tablespoon portions and roll into balls.
8. Roll each ball in granulated sugar and place on baking sheets 2 inches apart.
9. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are set but centers are soft.
10. Let cookies cool for 2 minutes, then gently press a frozen Kiss into each center.
11. Cool 5 minutes on the tray, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Make sure the Candy Cane Kisses are well frozen before placing on warm cookies to prevent melting.
Use finely crushed candy canes to avoid large chunks that could melt unevenly.
Don’t skip rolling the dough in sugar—this adds the signature sparkle and crisp edge.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg