Ever wished you could bake a love letter? A sweet, sparkling message that melts hearts with every bite? Well, get ready to spread some serious affection because we’re diving headfirst into the world of our utterly enchanting Love-Struck Strawberry Kiss Cookies! These aren’t just cookies; they’re tiny, edible declarations of love, perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any moment you want to share a little joy. Imagine a soft, chewy, strawberry-infused cookie, shimmering with pink sugar, and crowned with a creamy, dreamy strawberry kiss. Sounds like a dream, right? The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make, thanks to a clever cake mix hack that gets you from kitchen to cookie bliss in no time. Get ready to fall head over heels for these irresistible treats!
Why You’ll Love These Love-Struck Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Prepare to be smitten! Here are four irresistible reasons why these delightful cookies will become your new go-to for all things sweet and lovely:
- Effortlessly Adorable: Thanks to a clever strawberry cake mix shortcut, these cookies come together with minimal fuss. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up such a charming and impressive treat!
- Bursting with Berry Bliss: Each bite delivers a delightful wave of sweet, fruity strawberry flavor, perfectly complemented by the creamy strawberry kiss. It’s a symphony of berry goodness that’s simply irresistible.
- Visually Stunning & Sparkly: Dusted generously in pink sanding sugar, these cookies truly sparkle! Their vibrant color and the iconic kiss on top make them an instant showstopper, perfect for gifting or gracing any dessert table.
- Chewy, Tender Perfection: The unique combination of cream cheese and butter ensures a soft, chewy, and wonderfully tender cookie texture that practically melts in your mouth. They’re guaranteed to win hearts!
Ingredients for Your Love-Struck Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Gather your magic ingredients, and let’s get ready to bake some love!
- 8 ounces (1 block) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box strawberry cake mix
- 2/3 cup pink sanding sugar
- 36 strawberry ice cream cone kisses, unwrapped
Detailed Directions: Baking Your Love-Struck Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of irresistible love bites!
- Get Ready to Mix: In a generously sized mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, softened butter, and the room-temperature egg. Using an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer works great!), beat these ingredients together until the mixture is wonderfully smooth, creamy, and lump-free. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
- Add the Cake Magic: Now, gently pour in the entire box of strawberry cake mix. With your electric mixer on low speed, beat the cake mix into the wet ingredients. Mix just until everything is combined and you no longer see any dry streaks of cake mix. Be careful not to overmix; light mixing is the secret to keeping these cookies wonderfully tender and soft!
- Chill Out: Once your dough is mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and pop it into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This crucial chill time works wonders – it firms up the dough, making it much easier to scoop, roll, and prevents your cookies from spreading too much in the oven. You can even chill it longer if you need to!
- Oven Prep: While your delightful dough is chilling, it’s time to get your oven ready. Preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This clever trick ensures your cookies won’t stick and makes for super easy cleanup later!
- Shape & Sugar Coat: Now for the fun part! Take your chilled dough and, using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop (or just two spoons!), scoop out portions of the dough. Gently roll each scooped portion into a smooth, even ball with your hands. Pour your pink sanding sugar into a shallow bowl, then roll each dough ball generously in the sugar until it’s completely coated and sparkling from every angle. Place these shimmering balls about 1.5 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets, giving them plenty of room to spread slightly.
- Bake to Perfection: Slide your cookie sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them! You’ll know they’re done when the edges look just set and very lightly golden, but the centers still appear soft and slightly puffy. It’s absolutely essential not to overbake these cookies if you want to maintain their lovely tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Kiss Time! This step is critical for success! As soon as you pull those hot, fresh-from-the-oven cookies out, immediately and gently press one strawberry ice cream cone kiss into the center of each cookie. The residual heat from the cookie will slightly melt the base of the kiss, helping it adhere perfectly.
- Cool Down: Resist the urge to snatch one up immediately (we know, it’s hard!). Let these delightful cookies cool completely right on the baking sheets. This allows the kisses to set beautifully and ensures the cookies firm up perfectly, making them easy to handle and enjoy. Now, go ahead and savor your sweet, healthy-ish treats!
Presenting and Serving Your Love-Struck Strawberry Kiss Cookies
These Love-Struck Strawberry Kiss Cookies are not just delicious; they’re also incredibly charming, making them perfect for a variety of presentations and serving occasions. Here are some ideas to elevate your cookie experience:
- Romantic Gift Boxes: Arrange a few cookies in a small, elegant gift box lined with tissue paper. Tie it with a satin ribbon for a perfect Valentine’s Day or anniversary gift.
- Dessert Platter Perfection: On a white or pink platter, arrange the cookies in a circular pattern, perhaps with a few fresh strawberries or raspberries scattered in between for an extra pop of color and freshness.
- Cellophane Bags for Favors: Place 2-3 cookies in clear cellophane bags, tie them with a pretty ribbon, and hand them out as party favors for bridal showers, baby showers, or birthday parties.
- Cookie Bar Extravaganza: If you’re hosting an event, display these cookies on a tiered stand alongside other pink and red treats like macarons, chocolate-dipped pretzels, and mini cupcakes for a show-stopping dessert bar.
- With a Cozy Beverage: Serve them with a tall glass of cold milk, a warm cup of tea, or a special coffee creation for a delightful afternoon treat. For a romantic touch, pair them with sparkling cider or a glass of rosé.
- As a Sweet Ending: These cookies make a wonderful light dessert after a romantic dinner, providing just the right amount of sweetness without being too heavy.
Storing Your Love-Struck Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Want to savor these love-struck delights for a little longer? Here’s how to store them to maintain their freshness and flavor:
- Room Temperature: Once completely cooled, store your Love-Struck Strawberry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. While they contain cream cheese, it’s baked into the cookie, making them relatively stable.
- Refrigerated for Longer: If you want to extend their life, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just be aware that the chocolate kisses might develop a slight condensation when brought to room temperature, but this won’t affect the taste.
- Freezing: These cookies freeze surprisingly well! Place the completely cooled cookies (with the kisses already pressed in) in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature, or for a warm, fresh-baked feel, pop them in a microwave for a few seconds or a low oven until just warmed through.
FAQs About Love-Struck Strawberry Kiss Cookies
- Q1: Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
- Absolutely! Get creative! A yellow cake mix with vanilla kisses, chocolate cake mix with dark chocolate kisses, or even funfetti cake mix would be delicious variations.
- Q2: What if I don’t have pink sanding sugar?
- No problem! You can use regular granulated sugar for a less sparkly but still delicious cookie, or try red sanding sugar for a bolder look. Pink sprinkles can also work if you’re going for a different texture!
- Q3: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
- Yes! The dough can be prepared and kept in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days before baking. This makes them perfect for prepping in advance for parties or events.
- Q4: Why is it important to chill the dough?
- Chilling the dough helps firm up the butter and cream cheese, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. It also makes the dough much easier to handle and roll into perfect balls.
- Q5: My cookies spread too much – what went wrong?
- This usually happens if the dough wasn’t chilled long enough, or if your butter was too soft. Ensure your butter is only softened, not melted, and always give that dough its full chill time!
- Q6: Can I use regular Hershey’s Kisses instead of strawberry ice cream cone kisses?
- Of course! Any flavor of Hershey’s Kiss will work beautifully. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, Hugs, or even caramel-filled kisses would be fantastic substitutes.
- Q7: How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?
- They’re done when the edges look lightly set and barely golden, but the centers still appear soft and slightly puffed up. Overbaking will result in a drier, tougher cookie, so pull them out promptly!
- Q8: Are these cookies truly “healthy-ish” as mentioned in the recipe card?
- The “healthy-ish” description is playful! While they contain classic cookie ingredients, they’re a homemade treat made with love. Compared to some heavily processed store-bought desserts, they’re a delightful indulgence to be enjoyed in moderation.
- Q9: Can kids help make these Love-Struck Strawberry Kiss Cookies?
- Absolutely! Rolling the dough balls in sanding sugar and pressing the kisses into the hot cookies are perfect tasks for little helpers (with supervision, of course!). It’s a fun, family-friendly baking project.
- Q10: What’s the best way to get a perfect indentation for the kiss?
- The trick is to press the kiss gently but firmly into the center of the cookie *immediately* after it comes out of the oven. The cookies are softest when hot, allowing the kiss to melt slightly at the base and create a neat, defined indentation.
Love-Struck Strawberry Kiss Cookies 💖
These delightful Love-Struck Strawberry Kiss Cookies are perfect for Valentine's Day or any occasion that calls for a sweet and easy treat! Featuring a soft, strawberry cake mix base, a sparkling pink sanding sugar coating, and a surprise strawberry kiss in every bite.
Equipment
- Electric Mixer
- Large Bowl
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened (1 block)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 box strawberry cake mix (15.25 ounce)
Coating & Garnish
- 2/3 cup pink sanding sugar
- 36 strawberry ice cream cone kisses unwrapped
Instructions
- In a big bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the softened cream cheese, butter, and egg until they're wonderfully smooth and creamy.
- Gently beat in the strawberry cake mix until everything is just combined and you don't see any dry streaks. Remember, light mixing keeps the cookies tender!
- Cover your dough bowl and pop it into the fridge for about 30 minutes. This little chill time makes the dough much easier to handle and scoop.
- While your dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for a non-stick surface and easy cleanup.
- Scoop the dough into 1-tablespoon sized balls. Roll each ball generously in the pink sanding sugar until it's sparkling, then arrange them about 1.5 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them – they're done when the edges look set but the centers are still soft. Avoid overbaking to keep that lovely tender texture!
- As soon as you pull the hot cookies from the oven, immediately and gently press one strawberry ice cream cone kiss into the center of each cookie.
- Let these delightful cookies cool completely right on the baking sheets. This ensures the kisses set beautifully and the cookies firm up perfectly.
Notes
Enjoy your sweet, healthy-ish treats!
Nutrition Information (per cookie):
Calories: 133 kcal
Total Carbs: 17g
Net Carbs: 17g
Fats: 7g
Protein: 1g
Calories: 133 kcal
Total Carbs: 17g
Net Carbs: 17g
Fats: 7g
Protein: 1g