Description
Delight in festive Candy Cane Kiss Cookies that combine a soft, buttery texture with peppermint candy pieces and a classic Hershey’s Candy Cane Kiss in the center. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these cookies feature a crisp sugar coating and a refreshing peppermint flavor, baked to perfection in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- 2 tsp milk
Dry Ingredients
- 1¼ cup white sugar divided
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Additional Ingredients
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
- 28 Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of sugar until the mixture is fluffy and well combined, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add Wet Flavors: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract, blending for another minute to incorporate fully.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Mix Dough: Add the flour mixture, milk, and crushed candy canes to the wet ingredients and beat just until combined, roughly 30 seconds, taking care not to overmix.
- Form Dough Balls: Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized portions and roll each into a smooth ball using your hands.
- Coat with Sugar: Roll each dough ball in the remaining ¼ cup of sugar to coat the outside, adding a sweet, crunchy texture.
- Chill Dough: Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets, then refrigerate them flat for 2 hours to firm up before baking.
- Preheat Oven: While chilling the dough, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the chilled dough balls for 10 minutes or until the centers are set but still soft.
- Add Candy Cane Kisses: Remove cookies from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Gently press an unwrapped Hershey’s Candy Cane Kiss into the center of each warm cookie, allowing it to soften slightly.
Notes
- Store leftover cookies at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 5-7 days to maintain freshness.
- For a stronger peppermint flavor, increase the peppermint extract to 1 teaspoon.
- Ensure the dough balls are well chilled to prevent spreading during baking.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to avoid sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Crushed candy canes can be substituted with peppermint chips for a different texture.
