Gingerbread Kiss Cookies

Name: Gingerbread Kiss Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2¼ teaspoons ground ginger; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ½ teaspoon ground allspice; ¾ cup salted sweet cream butter; ¾ cup light brown sugar; ½ cup + 2 tablespoons molasses; 1 large egg; 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract; 30 Hershey’s Hugs kisses, unwrapped; Sanding sugar, for coating the cookie dough balls

Last Tuesday, while rushing home from Alex's after-school chess club, he suddenly asked if we could make "those ginger cookies" again. You know the ones—gingerbread cookies with a twist, topped with a luscious Hershey's Hugs, making them the perfect treat for our family evenings. These Gingerbread Kiss Cookies are a delightful way to bring everyone together, especially when we're in the middle of our busy Manhattan life. Whether it's for a Christmas gathering or just a cozy day at home, they're a favorite in our family. Try some other sweet treats like our Gluten-Free Lemon Crinkle Cookies.

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Why you’ll love this recipe
Ingredients
Step-by-step instructions
Recipe tips & variations
Storage & reheating
FAQs
Recipes you may like
Gingerbread Kiss Cookies

Why you’ll love this recipe

These cookies are a fantastic blend of warm holiday spices and creamy chocolate, all in one bite. The best part? They come together in a snap using simple, real ingredients. Plus, making them is a blast if you have little kitchen helpers like Sarah, who loves rolling them in sanding sugar. They're perfect for your next family movie night or as a thoughtful homemade gift.

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
2¼ teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground allspice
¾ cup salted sweet cream butter
¾ cup light brown sugar
½ cup + 2 tablespoons molasses
1 large egg
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
30 Hershey’s Hugs kisses, unwrapped
Sanding sugar, for coating the cookie dough balls

Step-by-step instructions

Whisk together the flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, baking soda, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Set it aside.
Cream the softened butter in a stand mixer or with a handheld mixer on medium-high speed for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Add the brown sugar to the creamed butter and continue mixing on medium-high for 1 minute.
Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla. Mix just until well incorporated.
Add the flour mixture and mix just until combined.
Cover and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the cookie dough and roll it into a ball.
Coat the dough ball in sanding sugar and place it on the cookie sheet, spacing the dough balls 2 inches apart.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the cookie sheet for about 2 minutes. Press an unwrapped kiss into the center of each cookie.
Allow the cookies to cool for another 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Recipe tips & variations

For a little twist, try using dark chocolate kisses instead of Hugs, giving a richer flavor to your cookies. If you're in a nut-free household, make sure the kisses you use suit your needs. A quick tip from our kitchen: refrigerate the dough long enough to get the perfect shape when you bake them.

Storage & reheating

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They taste just as delicious on day two or three as they do fresh. If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in our home!), you can warm them slightly in the microwave for that fresh-baked experience.

FAQs

How do you keep Gingerbread Kiss Cookies soft and chewy?

Be sure to not overbake them—8-10 minutes is just right. Letting them cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes helps them set perfectly.

Can I use regular Hershey’s Kisses instead of Hugs for Gingerbread Kiss Cookies?

Absolutely! Regular Hershey’s Kisses work just as well. They add a classic chocolate flavor that’s just as delightful.

Do Gingerbread Kiss Cookies need to be refrigerated after baking?

No, you don’t need to refrigerate them, but keep them in an airtight container to maintain their softness.

Why do the chocolate kisses melt or lose shape on Gingerbread Kiss Cookies?

To prevent melting, let the cookies cool for a couple of minutes on the sheet before pressing the kiss in. The residual heat is just enough to soften them without melting.

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