If you’re looking for a cookie that sings with sweetness, fun, and a little bit of nostalgia, you’re going to adore this Strawberry Kiss Cookies with Funfetti Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies come out soft, with a fun pop of color from the sprinkles, and that melt-in-your-mouth strawberry kiss on top? Heaven. When I first tried this recipe, it quickly became my go-to for birthday parties and cozy afternoons. Stick around—I’m excited to share all the tips and tricks that’ll make your batch perfect!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: You only need a few pantry staples, but the strawberry kisses make these cookies unforgettable.
- Funfetti Magic: The sprinkles inside the dough bring a burst of color and fun that’s perfect for celebrations or everyday treats.
- Soft, Chewy Texture: Thanks to the cream cheese in the dough, these cookies stay soft and tender longer than typical sugar cookies.
- Easy to Make: Even if you’re new to baking cookies, the instructions and tips mean you’ll succeed every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love about the ingredients in this Strawberry Kiss Cookies with Funfetti Recipe is how they come together to create a perfect balance of fun, flavor, and texture. The cream cheese adds moisture and softness, while the Funfetti mix gives you that playful sprinkle surprise. When shopping, look for a quality Funfetti sugar cookie mix to ensure great results.
- Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix: Pick a popular brand you trust—this is the cookie base, so its quality matters a lot.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature so it blends smoothly into the dough; no lumps here!
- Large Egg: This helps bind everything perfectly and adds richness.
- Pink or White Sanding Sugar or Non-Pareils: These are great for coating the dough balls and adding extra sparkle and crunch.
- Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses: The star of the show—fresh, unwrapped, and ready to top your cookies with that sweet strawberry flavor.
Variations
One of the fun things about this Strawberry Kiss Cookies with Funfetti Recipe is how easily it lends itself to your own creative tweaks. I love playing around with colors and toppings depending on the season or occasion. You should totally experiment too—it’s part of the fun!
- Use Different Kisses: Instead of strawberry, try chocolate, caramel, or even peppermint Kisses for a flavor swap that works like a charm.
- Swap Sprinkles: Funfetti is classic, but you can use seasonal sprinkles or even chopped nuts if you want a different crunch.
- Make Them Mini: I once made a batch of bite-sized versions for a baby shower, and everyone loved how cute and easy to eat they were.
- Go Dairy-Free: Swap the cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative to make these cookies suitable for lactose-intolerant friends.
How to Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies with Funfetti Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Oven
Go ahead and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper—that’s going to keep your cookies from sticking and make clean-up so much easier. Then preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Preheating is key because you want your oven nice and hot when those lovely cookies go in, so they bake evenly and get that perfect edge.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
Grab a large mixing bowl and use your hand or stand mixer to blend the Funfetti sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and egg together. When I first tried this, I was amazed at how easy the dough comes together—super soft and a little sticky, but that’s exactly what you want for tender cookies. If you find it too sticky to handle, don’t worry—you can refrigerate it for 30 to 60 minutes to firm it up a bit.
Step 3: Coat and Shape the Dough Balls
Place your pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils in a shallow bowl. Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out portions of dough and gently roll them in your choice of coating until evenly covered. This not only looks adorable but also makes rolling the sticky dough so much easier. Then smooth the coated dough into a nice even ball. Pro tip: I sometimes lightly dust my hands with sanding sugar to keep the dough from sticking as I shape it.
Step 4: Bake and Add the Strawberry Kisses
Space your cookie dough balls about 1 ½ inches apart on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop them in the oven and bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the centers look soft but not raw. Let the cookies cool for 3 to 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then press an unwrapped Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kiss gently but firmly into the center of each cookie. This ensures the kiss softens slightly and melts into the cookie just right.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Once you’ve added the kisses, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely if you want them to hold their shape perfectly. I love these both warm and cooled, so don’t feel like you have to wait too long to dig in—just be gentle if they’re still warm!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Kiss Cookies with Funfetti Recipe
- Dealing with Sticky Dough: I learned that chilling the dough for even 30 minutes makes it easier to scoop and roll, but the sanding sugar also works wonders in keeping your hands and scoop slick.
- Perfect Bake Time: Start checking at 8 minutes—the cookies should be set on the edges but still soft in the center for the best chewy texture.
- Adding the Strawberry Kisses: Press the candy in while cookies are warm—not hot—to avoid them melting unevenly or deforming.
- Storing for Freshness: I always cool my cookies completely before storing to keep the kisses intact and prevent sogginess.
How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies with Funfetti Recipe
Garnishes
For extra fun, I like to dust a little powdered sugar over the cooled cookies occasionally, or add a few extra sprinkles on top around the strawberry kiss right before serving. It adds a whimsical, festive touch that makes these cookies perfect for parties or gifting.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk (classic, right?), but I’ve also served them alongside strawberry lemonade or a cup of lightly brewed tea for a grown-up snack time. The strawberry flavors really tie together with berry-based beverages, making it such a satisfying combo.
Creative Ways to Present
I once arranged a platter of these cookies around a little bowl of homemade whipped cream and fresh sliced strawberries for a strawberry-themed dessert spread. It was a hit at the summer BBQ. Another fun idea is to package them in cellophane bags tied with pastel ribbons for adorable party favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh for about 3-4 days. If I’m keeping them longer, I’ll pop them into the fridge for up to a week, but they’re best enjoyed sooner as chilling sometimes makes the cookie a bit firmer.
Freezing
If I want to save cookies for later, I freeze them in single layers on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They keep wonderfully for 2-3 months—just make sure they’re fully cooled before freezing to preserve texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, I bring the cookies to room temperature then pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes to soften any firmness from chilling or freezing. They taste almost freshly baked when served warm, and the strawberry kiss regains that lovely softness.
FAQs
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Can I make this Strawberry Kiss Cookies with Funfetti Recipe from scratch without a cookie mix?
Absolutely! While I love the convenience of the cookie mix for this recipe, you can use your favorite sugar cookie dough recipe and simply fold in funfetti sprinkles. Just remember to adjust baking times accordingly and keep the dough soft to hold the kisses well.
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What if I don’t have sanding sugar or non-pareils to coat the cookies?
No worries—if you skip the coating, your cookies will still taste great but might be a bit stickier to handle. You can lightly dust your hands and scoop with regular granulated sugar or even a tiny bit of flour to help with rolling.
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Can I use other flavored chocolate kisses?
Yes! I’ve tried caramel and milk chocolate Kisses, and they work beautifully. The strawberry flavor adds a lovely fruity touch, but feel free to customize based on what you and your family enjoy.
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How do I keep the Strawberry Kisses from melting too much?
Press the kisses into the cookies when they’re warm but not hot. This way, they’ll soften gently without losing their shape or melting into a sticky mess.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Kiss Cookies with Funfetti Recipe is such a wonderful mix of nostalgic fun and freshly baked comfort. I love how the strawberry kisses add a unique twist that feels special but is totally achievable in any kitchen. Whether you’re baking for your family, friends, or just because you want a sweet pick-me-up, these cookies will make you smile every time. Give it a try soon—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Strawberry Kiss Cookies with Funfetti Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 48 minutes
- Yield: 16–18 large cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are soft, sweet treats made with funfetti sugar cookie mix, cream cheese, and topped with delicious Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses. Perfect for parties or a special homemade dessert, these cookies combine a funfetti base with a unique and colorful twist.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 16 ounce bag Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix
- 4 ounce cream cheese, softened (½ of an 8-ounce package)
- 1 large egg
Coating and Topping
- ½ cup pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils
- 18 Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Mix Dough: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat together the funfetti sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and one large egg until a soft dough forms.
- Prepare Coating: Pour the pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils into a shallow bowl to coat the cookie dough balls.
- Scoop Dough: Use a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop to form balls of dough, then drop each ball into the shallow bowl of sugar or non-pareils.
- Coat Dough Balls: Gently roll each dough ball in the sanding sugar or non-pareils until evenly coated and smooth into a ball shape.
- Optional Chilling: If the dough is too sticky to work with, refrigerate or freeze it for 30-60 minutes to firm it up, making it easier to scoop and roll.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the coated cookie balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1½ inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8-12 minutes or until the edges are set and lightly golden.
- Add Topping: After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes before pressing an unwrapped Hershey’s Strawberry Kiss into the center of each warm cookie.
- Cool and Serve: Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely, or enjoy them warm if preferred.
Notes
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate up to one week.
- Freeze cookies for 2-3 months in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Avoid covering or storing cookies while warm, as it may cause the Kisses to deform.
- Chilling the dough is optional but helps manage sticky dough and makes scooping easier.
- Using sanding sugar on hands and cookie scoop helps prevent dough from sticking.
- Non-pareils provide coating but do not assist with stickiness like sanding sugar does.
- For best taste and texture, bring refrigerated cookies to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg