Peppermint Kissed Milk Chocolate Cookies

Step into the festive spirit with these absolutely irresistible Milk Chocolate Hershey Peppermint Kiss Cookies – the ultimate holiday treat that captures the magic of Christmas in every bite! Imagine sinking your teeth into a soft, thick, and wonderfully chewy chocolate cookie, perfectly baked to a tender crisp, and then discovering a luscious white chocolate peppermint kiss nestled right in the center, melting ever so slightly to create a dreamy, minty surprise. Each cookie is delicately coated in sugar, adding a delightful sparkle and a hint of extra sweetness that truly elevates this seasonal favorite.

These cookies aren’t just desserts; they’re an experience, a delightful fusion of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint that evokes cherished holiday memories. Whether you’re baking for family gatherings, a cookie exchange, or simply to enjoy a cozy evening by the fire, these Peppermint Kiss Cookies are guaranteed to spread cheer and bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Get ready to bake up a batch of pure holiday joy!

Craving more refreshing peppermint desserts? Explore these other delightful creations that bring a cool, minty twist to your table. You’ll simply adore this luscious Peppermint Candy Brownie Trifle, this vibrant Peppermint Tres Leches Cake, and these wonderfully soft Peppermint Frosted Chocolate Cookies. And for even more inspiration, don’t miss our delicious roundup of 13 Holiday Peppermint Desserts!

Why You’ll Adore These Festive Chocolate Peppermint Hershey Kiss Cookies

• Effortlessly Festive & Fun: These cookies are incredibly simple to prepare, making them a fantastic baking project for all skill levels, even beginners! Get the kids involved in rolling the dough and unwrapping the kisses for a delightful holiday activity. The sheer joy of creating these festive treats is unmatched, and they’re so much fun to eat. Just be sure to pour a tall glass of cold milk for the ultimate indulgence – and don’t forget to set a few aside for Santa! Staying off the naughty list is key!
• The Iconic Chocolate & Peppermint Duo: There’s a reason chocolate and peppermint remain a universally loved and magical flavor combination, especially during the holiday season. The deep, rich notes of cocoa blend harmoniously with the cool, refreshing burst of peppermint, creating a symphony of tastes that excites the palate. While chocolate is often hailed as a favorite cookie base, the added twist of invigorating peppermint transforms these cookies into a new holiday staple, guaranteed to impress and satisfy every sweet tooth.
• Irresistible Texture & Bursting Flavor: Experience the perfect textural balance with every bite – a wonderfully soft and chewy cookie interior complemented by a slightly crispy, sugary exterior. This delightful contrast, combined with the explosive minty flavor from the peppermint kiss, makes these holiday cookies an absolute hit at any gathering, from intimate family dinners to lively holiday parties. They also make thoughtful and delicious homemade gifts for friends, neighbors, and teachers – if you can manage to not eat them all first! A solid game plan is highly recommended.
• Addictive & Versatile for Year-Round Enjoyment: Be warned: these cookies are notoriously addictive and have a magical way of disappearing quickly! Their irresistible charm ensures they’ll be snatched up the moment they hit the plate. Beyond their festive appeal, these cookies offer incredible versatility, allowing for variations that can be enjoyed throughout the entire year. With a few simple tweaks, you can adapt this beloved recipe for any occasion, proving that the joy of a good cookie doesn’t have to be limited to just one season.

Essential Ingredients: Crafting Your Milk Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies

Creating these delightful Milk Chocolate Hershey Peppermint Kiss Cookies begins with gathering high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture, from the rich cocoa to the refreshing peppermint kisses. Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature for optimal creaming, and have your Hershey’s Kisses unwrapped and ready for immediate placement into the warm cookies. Using precise measurements will guarantee consistent, bakery-quality results every time. Here’s what you’ll need to transform simple ingredients into holiday masterpieces:

Milk Chocolate Hershey Peppermint Kiss Cookies Recipe 

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar, divided (reserve ¼ cup for coating/rolling cookies)
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (high quality for best flavor)
• 2 oz semi-sweet chocolate, melted (approximately ⅓ cup)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 36 Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses or your preferred Hershey’s Kiss variety (milk chocolate, dark chocolate, etc.)

Instructions: How to Bake Perfect Peppermint Hershey Kiss Chocolate Cookies

Follow these straightforward steps to create your batch of exquisite Milk Chocolate Hershey Peppermint Kiss Cookies. Precision in baking ensures the ideal texture – soft, chewy, and rich with chocolate, perfectly complemented by the cool, creamy peppermint center. Remember to work quickly when pressing in the kisses to ensure they melt beautifully into the warm cookies. Enjoy the delightful aromas that will fill your kitchen!

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking; set these aside. In a small, separate bowl, add ¼ cup of granulated sugar for coating the cookie dough; set this aside as well.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate in 30-second intervals. After each interval, stir the chocolate gently. Continue this process until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat it.
3. Using an electric mixer (either a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer), beat together the softened butter, ½ cup of the granulated sugar, and the light brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
4. Crack in the large egg and add the vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Continue mixing on medium speed until these wet ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
5. Add the salt and baking powder to the dough. Mix again briefly, just until these dry leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6. Next, incorporate the unsweetened cocoa powder into the mixture, mixing until no streaks of dry cocoa remain. Follow this by slowly pouring in the melted chocolate, mixing until it’s fully combined and the dough has a uniform, rich chocolate color.
7. Gradually add the all-purpose flour. Start by adding one cup of flour and mixing on low speed until just combined. Then, add the remaining cup of flour and mix until the flour is fully incorporated and a soft, cohesive dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
8. Using a small or medium cookie scoop (approximately 1.5 to 2 tablespoons), scoop out portions of the dough. If your dough feels too sticky to handle, place the scooped dough balls onto one of your prepared baking sheets and chill them in the fridge for 5-10 minutes. Once the dough has firmed up slightly, remove from the fridge and roll each dough ball generously in the reserved ¼ cup of granulated sugar until fully coated. Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
9. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. The cookies will look slightly soft in the center but will set as they cool. Immediately upon removing the baking sheets from the oven, gently but firmly press an unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. This allows the chocolate to melt perfectly and adhere to the cookie.
10. Immediately transfer the warm cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Allowing the cookies to cool in a cool place will help the chocolate kisses to set and firm up properly. Once the chocolate has completely set and the cookies are cooled to room temperature, they are ready to be enjoyed!
11. Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness.

How to Properly Store Your Delicious Peppermint Chocolate Kiss Cookies

• To ensure your homemade chocolate peppermint cookies remain fresh and delightful, it’s crucial to allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to store them. Storing warm cookies can lead to condensation, making them soggy and potentially spoiling faster. Once fully cooled, transfer these exquisite treats to an airtight container. They will maintain their delicious texture and flavor for up to one week when stored at room temperature. For longer preservation, these cookies freeze beautifully! Simply place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature for a few hours or warm them slightly in the microwave for a fresh-baked taste.

Creative Variations for Your Hershey Kiss Cookie Recipe

While the classic Milk Chocolate Hershey Peppermint Kiss Cookie is perfect as is, this versatile recipe lends itself beautifully to creative variations, allowing you to customize it for any season or celebration. Unleash your inner baker and try these exciting twists:

• Seasonal Coatings & Sprinkles: Transform these treats for any time of year by simply changing the outer coating! Instead of just granulated sugar, roll the cookie dough balls in vibrant sprinkles that match any holiday or birthday celebration. Use red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, or school colors for a graduation party. You can even use coarse sugar in various colors for a sparkling effect. This simple swap makes them truly adaptable and fun for all occasions!
• Explore a World of Kiss Flavors: Hershey’s Kisses come in an astonishing array of flavors, offering endless possibilities for custom cookies! Experiment with different varieties to discover new favorites. Consider using Chocolate Marshmallow Kisses for a s’mores-inspired treat, classic Milk Chocolate Kisses for a pure chocolate experience, Dark Chocolate Kisses for a deeper cocoa note, or rich Caramel Kisses for a gooey surprise. Cookies & Cream Kisses add a delightful crunch, while Cherry Cordial Kisses infuse a fruity elegance. Don’t forget Hershey’s Hugs (white chocolate with milk chocolate stripes, often containing almonds!) for a nutty twist. Go nuts, or rather, go HUGS!
• Flavor Boost with Extracts: Amp up the flavor profile of your cookies by incorporating your favorite extracts directly into the dough. For an intensified minty experience, add a touch of peppermint extract (start with ¼ teaspoon and adjust to taste, as it can be potent). If you want to deepen the chocolate flavor, a chocolate extract can work wonders. For a sophisticated twist, a hint of coffee extract can enhance the cocoa notes without making the cookies taste like coffee. Always remember to use high-quality extracts for the best results and taste them as you go to achieve your desired flavor intensity.

In conclusion, the irresistible combination of rich milk chocolate and refreshing peppermint in these delectable Hershey Kiss Cookies is truly enough to make anyone’s taste buds dance with joy. This classic pairing brings together the deep, comforting notes of chocolate with the bright, invigorating coolness of peppermint in perfect harmony, creating treats that are nothing short of heavenly.

Just like the classic Christmas carols that fill our homes with warmth, these chocolate peppermint blossom cookies truly are a “match made in holiday heaven.” With every tender bite, you are transported to a winter wonderland of flavors and textures, a cozy retreat from the hustle and bustle of the season. The soft, chewy cookie cradling a melty, minty kiss offers a sensory experience that is both nostalgic and exciting.

But don’t let the festive season be the only reason you indulge in these magnificent cookies. Let them be a gentle reminder to take a moment, slow down, and savor the little things in life – the simple pleasures, the comforting aromas, and the magic that can spring from humble ingredients transformed with love. These cookies embody the joy of baking and sharing, a tradition that enriches our lives.

So go ahead, embrace the joy of baking and whip up a generous batch of these rich chocolate peppermint cookies. Share them with your cherished loved ones, spread the warmth and happiness of this delicious combination, and create new, sweet memories. Happy baking and happy holidays to you and yours!

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