Soft Baked Strawberry Kiss Cookies

One afternoon, the windows were open, a light breeze carried the sound of kids riding bikes outside, and my counter was already dusted with sugar from earlier baking experiments. A neighbor dropped off fresh strawberries from a weekend market, while a friend texted about bringing dessert to a school bake sale.

In the background, my oven hummed steadily, doing that familiar job that always signals something cozy is on the way. Strawberry Kiss Cookies felt like the right answer for a day filled with small interactions and shared plans.

. I have baked them during Valentine themed classroom parties, casual Sunday lunches, and even on quiet evenings when the only audience was a cooling rack by the window. Each setting adds its own rhythm to the process.

Some days the dough gets mixed while chatting over coffee, other days it happens between answering emails and setting the table. Strawberry Kiss Cookies adapt easily to all of it, bringing a bright pink color and a familiar chocolate center that feels instantly welcoming.

While the dough chills, there is time to wipe counters, line trays, or share stories across the room. As they bake, the scent of strawberry cake mix and butter fills the air, hinting at something soft and sweet without being overwhelming.

Pressing the chocolate kiss into the warm cookie always draws attention, a small moment that feels ceremonial. These are the kinds of bakes that fit naturally into real life, shaped by people, places, and the day unfolding around them.

Short Description

Strawberry Kiss Cookies are soft pink cookies made from strawberry cake mix and cream cheese, finished with a classic chocolate kiss pressed into the center.

Key Ingredients

• 1 box 15.25 oz strawberry cake mix
• 8 tbsp butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 large egg
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• Optional powdered sugar or pink granulated sugar for coating
• 30 chocolate Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped

Tools Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Silicone spatula or wooden spoon
• Measuring spoons
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon
• Wire cooling rack

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Mix the Base
In a large bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Stir until the mixture looks smooth and evenly blended.

The dough should appear thick and slightly glossy, with no dry pockets remaining.

Step 2: Add the Cream Cheese
Stir in the softened cream cheese until fully incorporated. This step creates a richer, softer texture. The dough will become thicker and slightly sticky.

If the cream cheese is cold, small lumps may remain, so allow it to soften fully before mixing.

Step 3: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour. Chilling firms the dough and prevents excessive spreading during baking. If the dough still feels very soft after chilling, give it an extra 15 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare for Baking
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.

Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Scoop the dough into tablespoon sized portions and roll gently into balls. If desired, roll each ball in powdered sugar or pink granulated sugar for a lightly coated exterior.

Step 6: Bake
Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers remain soft. The cookies should look puffed and lightly cracked on top.

Step 7: Add the Chocolate Kiss
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest for about 2 minutes. Gently press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. The cookie may crack slightly around the edges, which is expected.

Step 8: Cool
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. The chocolate will set as the cookies cool, creating a clean finish.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft and tender texture thanks to cream cheese

Simple ingredients with minimal prep

Visually appealing color for holidays and events

Easy to scale up for parties and bake sales

Balanced sweetness with a familiar chocolate center

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Dough too soft
The cookie dough spreads too much and loses its shape.
Solution: Chill the dough for at least 1 hour until firm before baking.

Cookies spreading flat
Warm butter or skipping parchment causes excess spreading.
Solution: Use butter that is melted but slightly cooled and always line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cracked cookies when adding the kiss
Pressing the chocolate too hard breaks the cookie surface.
Solution: Let cookies rest 1 to 2 minutes after baking, then gently press the kiss into the center.

Chocolate melting or losing shape
Hot cookies can cause the kiss to melt completely.
Solution: Press the kiss lightly and allow cookies to cool undisturbed so the chocolate can set.

Dry or dense texture
Overbaking removes the soft, tender center.
Solution: Bake just until the edges are set and the centers still look soft, usually 8 to 10 minutes at 350°F.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve on a dessert platter with other small cookies

Pair with hot tea, coffee, or a glass of cold milk

Arrange on tiered stands for parties or showers

Add to holiday cookie boxes for gifting

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days

Refrigerate for up to 5 days if your kitchen is warm

Avoid reheating to preserve the chocolate shape

Let refrigerated cookies return to room temperature before serving

FAQs

1. Can I freeze Strawberry Kiss Cookies dough?
Yes, the dough can be frozen in rolled balls for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1 to 2 minutes to the bake time.

2. Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes, vanilla or chocolate cake mix works, but the flavor and color will change.

3. Why did my cookies spread too much?
The dough was likely not chilled long enough or the butter was too warm.

4. Can I use flavored chocolate kisses?
Yes, strawberry or dark chocolate kisses pair well with the cookie base.

5. Do these cookies need refrigeration after baking?
Not immediately, but refrigeration helps extend freshness due to the cream cheese.

Tips & Tricks

Use a cookie scoop for even sizing

Wipe your hands with a damp towel between rolling dough balls

Rotate baking sheets halfway through for even baking

Recipe Variations

Chocolate Strawberry Kiss Cookies: Use chocolate cake mix and strawberry flavored kisses, following the same steps.
Double Strawberry Cookies: Add 2 tbsp freeze dried strawberry powder to the dough for a stronger berry flavor.
White Chocolate Center Cookies: Swap Hershey’s Kisses with white chocolate truffles and reduce baking time by 1 minute.

Final Thoughts

Strawberry Kiss Cookies fit naturally into moments that call for something gentle and cheerful. They feel just as at home on a holiday table as they do on a quiet afternoon counter. Baking them often brings a sense of calm, shaped by the rhythm of mixing, chilling, and waiting for the oven timer. The soft texture and familiar chocolate center tend to invite hands back for seconds.

There is a quiet joy in watching these cookies cool on the rack while conversations drift through the room. They offer a reminder that baking does not need to be complicated to feel special. Strawberry Kiss Cookies hold space for everyday celebrations, shared kitchens, and the kind of sweetness that lingers just long enough to be remembered.