I still remember the first time I baked what would become my signature holiday treat: Candy Cane Kiss Cookies! It was a chilly December evening, snow gently tapping against the kitchen window, and the smell of sugar and chocolate filling the air. I was wrapping presents under a dim lamp, feeling a bit worn out but craving something sweet, something holiday-ish. Then I opened a bag of Hershey Candy Cane Kisses and felt a little spark of magic. With that, I rolled up my sleeves and knew I was about to bake something special. That’s how I discovered exactly How To Make Candy Cane Kisses perfect every time with a sprinkle of love, a pinch of nostalgia, and a whole lot of minty joy.
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Why You’ll Fall in Love With Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
Candy Cane Kiss Cookies are like a cozy hug for your taste buds. The combo of buttery cookie and minty chocolate (those Hershey Candy Cane Kisses tucked inside) instantly transports you to a winter wonderland. Whenever I serve Candy Cane Kiss Cookies to friends, I see their faces light up because these cookies bring together sweetness and festive cheer in one simple bite.
If you’ve ever wondered How To Make Candy Cane Kiss Cookies that taste bakery‑fresh, this recipe is your golden ticket. The dough is soft but slightly chewy, and once the warm cookies cool around the chilled chocolate, each one becomes a perfect little snow-dusted treasure. Because I use simple ingredients and a quick method, you don’t need to be a baking pro just someone with a holiday spirit and a sweet tooth.
Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper and unwrap Hershey Candy Cane Kisses. Crush candy canes in a bag or food processor.
- Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together in a bowl until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture and mix until just combined.
- Fold in crushed candy canes evenly throughout the dough.
- Chill the dough for 15 minutes if your kitchen is warm. Scoop dough into 1.5 tbsp-sized balls and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are golden and centers look soft. Immediately press a Candy Cane Kiss into each cookie. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Notes
Ingredients (Simple & Festive)
For this Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe, you’ll need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup crushed candy canes (about 10 regular candy canes)
- About 36 Hershey Candy Cane Kisses — unwrapped and ready for action
That’s it! This straightforward list makes Candy Cane Kiss Cookies a great go-to when you want something fast but festive. I love this recipe because it uses pantry staples and a seasonal twist with those peppermint candies.
How To Make Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Step by Step
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unwrap your Hershey Candy Cane Kisses and set aside. Crush candy canes in a zip-lock bag with a rolling pin (or use a food processor).
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy about 2–3 minutes. This gives your cookies that melt-in-your-mouth base.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Crack in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. At this point, your batter smells like sweet holiday memories.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix into your wet batter. Stir until just combined don’t overmix or the cookies will be tough.
- Fold in Crushed Candy Canes: Gently fold in crushed candy canes until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. You’ll see little flecks of red and white peppermints adorable and delicious.
- Scoop Dough & Bake: Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, drop rounded dough balls (about 1.5 tablespoons each) onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart. Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the edges start to turn golden but centers are still soft.
- Add Hershey Candy Cane Kisses: As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, press one Hershey Candy Cane Kiss gently into the center of each cookie. The heat will soften the chocolate, letting it sink slightly. Leave them on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
That’s it How To Make Candy Cane Kiss Cookies in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Candy Cane Kisses Cookies Every Time
- Room temperature butter matters. Use it soft, not melted it helps the dough hold shape and prevents spreading too much.
- Chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking if your kitchen is warm. This keeps cookies from flattening.
- Don’t over-bake. The centers will look slightly underdone that’s perfect. They’ll firm up as they cool, while staying soft inside.
- Use fresh candy canes. Old candy canes can taste stale or chalky, so pick new ones for the best mint flavor.
- Get creative: After unwrapping Hershey Candy Cane Kisses, chill them in the fridge for 10 minutes they sink beautifully into cookies without melting too much.
These little hacks give your Candy Cane Kiss Cookies that homemade-bakery polish with minimal effort.
A Personal Holiday Twist
One winter right after my first messy but magical batch I packed up a plate of warm Candy Cane Kiss Cookies and drove to visit my grandma. I handed her the cookies, and she closed her eyes after the first bite, then pinched my cheek like she does every holiday. “This,” she said, “tastes like Christmas memory.” That moment made me realize: sharing Candy Cane Kiss Cookies isn’t just baking it’s sharing love and tradition.
Ever since, these cookies became my signature holiday greeting. I bake several batches and gift them to neighbors, friends, and delivery folks. Their smiles make the effort worth i not to mention the sugar-high.
Variations & Serving Ideas for Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
- Double-chocolate twist: Swap half the flour for cocoa powder you’ll get rich, fudgy Candy Cane Kisses Cookies with a mint-chocolate double whammy.
- Spice it up: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg for cozy, spice-laced flavor great if you love warm holiday vibes.
- Gluten-free option: Substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and reduce baking soda by ⅛ teaspoon then you still get those chewy Candy Cane Kiss Cookies with zero gluten fuss.
- Glaze glaze glaze: Drizzle a simple powdered-sugar glaze (powdered sugar + milk + dash of peppermint extract) over cooled cookies for extra sweetness and festive sparkle.
Serve these cookies with hot cocoa, coffee, or a peppermint mocha they pair perfectly with cozy drinks and holiday movies.
Frequently Asked Questions Quick Fixes & Answers
Can I use regular chocolate Kisses instead of Hershey Candy Cane Kisses?
Yes! Your cookies will be delicious just skip the mint candy canes for a more classic chocolate cookie.
How long do Candy Cane Kiss Cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay soft and tasty for 4–5 days. Add a slice of bread in the container to keep them moist longer.
Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely. Scoop the dough into balls, freeze on a tray for 2 hours, then store in a freezer bag up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen just add 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
What if I don’t like peppermint?
Skip the candy canes and use plain or flavored Kisses you’ll still get soft, chewy cookies. Try almond or raspberry for a fun twist.
Can I make these cookies larger or smaller?
Yes! Adjust scoop size but note that larger cookies might need a minute or two more baking time, smaller ones less.
The Joy of Simple Holiday Baking with Candy Cane Kisses
Making Candy Cane Kiss Cookies especially when you know How To Make Candy Cane Kiss Cookies is more than a recipe: it’s a little ritual of joy. Each batch brings out those wintery scents, mint-chocolate swirls, and cozy kitchen warmth that feels like home.
Whether you bake them with kids, gift them to neighbors, or surprise your friends, Candy Cane Kiss Cookies connect hearts through something as simple as sugar and chocolate. Give this Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe a try this holiday season and maybe, like me, you’ll start a new tradition. Because magic doesn’t always come from fancy tools; sometimes, it comes from a warm cookie and a nostalgic smile.