If you’re looking for a festive, adorable treat that’s perfect for sharing (or sneaking bites on your own), this Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe is a total game-changer. I absolutely love how these little cookie cups come together—crisp on the outside, soft and melty around that creamy Hershey’s Hug center, and just begging to be popped right into your mouth. Trust me, stick around because the recipe is straightforward, and I’m sharing all my best tips so you nail these on your first try!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make and Fun: These cookie cups are simple, quick to whip up, and a blast to prepare—great for baking with friends or kids.
- Perfect Valentine’s Treat: The Hershey’s Hugs add that classic, sweet, and slightly minty touch that’s perfect for the holiday vibe.
- Customizable Color and Toppings: You can personalize these with different food colorings and sprinkles to match your party or your mood.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These keep well and even freeze beautifully, so you can prep early and save time on the big day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
All the ingredients for these cookie cups are pretty straightforward and come together to create that delightful balance of sweet, buttery, and melty goodness. Using a good sugar cookie mix helps keep things easy and consistent, and the Hershey’s Hugs are the star that steals every heart.
- Sugar cookie mix: This is your base—choose your favorite brand or homemade mix for a simple shortcut.
- Salted butter: I always use salted for that perfect touch of savory balance, plus it helps bring out the cookie’s sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: Helps give the dough structure so it wraps nicely around the chocolate.
- Large egg (room temperature): Makes the dough bind well—let it sit out for a bit before mixing.
- Pink/red food coloring: Adds that Valentine’s Day pop! Adjust intensity as you like to make your cookie cups truly festive.
- Hershey’s Hugs (unwrapped): The magic center! Their creamy mint-chocolate flavor pairs perfectly with the cookie.
- Decorative sprinkles (optional): For that final cute touch, I love heart-shaped sprinkles or shimmer sugar for extra sparkle.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe is how easy it is to make your own! I’ve played around adding different mix-ins and toppings, so don’t hesitate to make this recipe your own.
- Different Chocolates: I sometimes swap Hershey’s Hugs for mini Reese’s or white chocolate chips—each gives a delicious twist.
- Color Variations: Beyond pink and red, try pastel shades or even ombré effects by mixing different food coloring drops into separate dough batches.
- Gluten-Free: You can use a gluten-free sugar cookie mix and gluten-free flour substitute to keep these allergy-friendly.
- Nutty Upgrades: Add a small sprinkle of toasted chopped nuts on top after baking for a contrasting crunch and flavor.
How to Make Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
First things first, grab a mini cupcake pan and give it a good spray with cooking spray. This step is crucial because the cookie cups can stick otherwise, especially with melted butter in the dough. Then, preheat your oven to 350°F — give it time to get really hot while you mix.
Step 2: Mix Together Your Cookie Dough
In a big bowl, toss in your sugar cookie mix, melted butter, all-purpose flour, egg, and the pink or red food coloring. Beat everything until just combined—don’t overmix, or the dough gets tough. If you want a deeper color, add a few extra drops of coloring here. Trust me, the dough’s vibrant hue makes these extra special!
Step 3: Shape Your Cookie Cups
Take about a tablespoon of dough and flatten it with your hands or a rolling pin to about the size of your palm — not too thin or it’ll break. Place one unwrapped Hershey’s Hug smack dab in the middle, then gently wrap the dough around it, sealing it fully to make a ball. This part needs a little patience, but it’s so worth it when you find that melted chocolate center.
Step 4: Bake and Dress Up Your Cookie Cups
Pop each dough ball into a muffin cavity, placing them upright so the chocolate stays centered. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the outside looks set but not overly browned—I’ve learned that slightly underbaking yields soft, chewy centers. When you pull them out, sprinkle your decorative sprinkles right away so they stick fabulously while the cookies are warm.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Give these little babies about 15 minutes to cool right in the pan before carefully lifting them out. Cooling is key so the cookie cups hold their shape and don’t crumble when you bite in. I swear, this is where the anticipation kicks in—and I find it hard to wait!
Pro Tips for Making Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe
- Don’t Overflatten the Dough: When you flatten the dough around the Hershey’s Hug, keep it thick enough so it doesn’t tear during baking. You want that perfect “cup” shape enclosing the chocolate.
- Room Temp Egg Makes a Difference: Using an egg at room temperature helps the dough come together smoothly—cold eggs can make the batter lumpy.
- Adjust Cooking Time Based on Your Oven: Not all ovens heat evenly—check your cookie cups a minute or two before the minimum baking time to avoid over-baking.
- Sprinkle Immediately After Baking: Adding sprinkles while the cups are still warm ensures they stick better and look festive.
How to Serve Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these cookie cups with heart-shaped sprinkles or edible glitter to amp up the Valentine’s Day spirit. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a snowy, romantic touch, especially if I’m serving these at a chilly winter party.
Side Dishes
These cookie cups are quite the star, but I like pairing them with simple sides like a tall glass of cold milk or a steaming cup of coffee for a lovely treat. If it’s a party, fresh fruit trays with strawberries and raspberries complement the colors and offer a fresh contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged these cookie cups in cute little cupcake liners in a decorative box or gift tin. Another fun idea is to serve them on a tiered dessert tray mixed with Valentine’s Day themed candies and chocolates for a delightful dessert buffet that’s both eye-catching and delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, I store the cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for up to two weeks, which makes it easy to bake early and enjoy over time without any fuss.
Freezing
I usually freeze leftover cookie cups by wrapping each one individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This way, they keep beautifully for up to 5-6 months, and you can pull out a few whenever a sweet craving hits.
Reheating
To warm them back up, I let frozen cookie cups thaw at room temperature for a bit and then pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This gently revives the melty center and softens the cookie without drying it out.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough instead of a mix for this Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade dough works wonderfully—just make sure it isn’t too sticky or too soft, as you need to be able to wrap it tightly around the Hershey’s Hugs. If needed, chill your dough first for easier handling.
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What if I don’t have a mini cupcake pan?
You can try using a mini muffin pan or even a silicone mold with small cavities. If neither is available, shaping these as regular cookies with the Hershey’s Hug inside will still be delicious, though the unique “cup” shape is best achieved with the pan.
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How can I make these cookie cups less sweet?
Try using an unsweetened or lightly sweetened sugar cookie mix and consider swapping Hershey’s Hugs with dark chocolate kisses. Also, skip the extra decorative sprinkles or choose those with less sugar if you’re mindful of sweetness.
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Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the dough a day ahead, refrigerate it wrapped tightly, and then shape and bake the cookie cups the next day. Just remember to bring the dough close to room temperature before shaping for easier work.
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Why does the cookie dough need extra flour?
The additional flour helps give structure and helps the dough hold up around the chocolate without melting too much or spreading too thin while baking.
Final Thoughts
I honestly look forward to making these Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe every year — they bring such a fun, joyful energy to my kitchen, and the smiles they get from friends and family are priceless. Once you try them, I’m confident you’ll be adding these to your holiday traditions too. So grab your mini cupcake pan, unwrap some Hershey’s Hugs, and let’s make magic happen together!
Print
Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 35-37 minutes
- Yield: 25 cookie cups 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with these delightful Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups, a perfect treat combining soft sugar cookie dough filled with sweet Hershey’s Hugs chocolate and topped with festive sprinkles. These mini cookie cups are easy to make and wonderfully festive, perfect for gifting or sharing at any party.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 17.5 ounce package sugar cookie mix
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- Pink/red food coloring, as needed
Filling and Topping
- 24–26 Hershey’s Hugs, unwrapped
- Decorative sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan and Oven: Spray a mini cupcake pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, melted butter, all-purpose flour, egg, and pink/red food coloring. Beat together until just combined, adjusting the food coloring to achieve your desired shade.
- Shape the Dough: Take about 1 tablespoon of the cookie dough and flatten it using your hand or a rolling pin until it is roughly palm-sized, making it ready to encase the chocolate.
- Add the Chocolate Filling: Place an unwrapped Hershey’s Hug in the center of the flattened dough. Wrap the dough completely around the chocolate to form a ball, ensuring the chocolate is fully enclosed.
- Place in Pan: Set each filled dough ball upright into a cavity of the prepared mini cupcake pan. Repeat this process until all the cookie dough balls are placed in the pan.
- Bake: Bake the cookie cups in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the outsides appear set and lightly golden but still soft to the touch.
- Add Sprinkles: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately decorate the tops of the warm cookie cups with decorative sprinkles if desired.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookie cups to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before removing and serving. This resting time helps them set and makes them easier to handle.
Notes
- Storage: Store cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks to maintain freshness.
- Freezing: Wrap each cookie cup individually, place in a freezer-safe container or bag, and freeze for 5-6 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Tip: Ensure the egg is at room temperature before mixing to achieve smooth and even cookie dough.
- Tip: Use a gentle hand while wrapping the dough around the chocolate to avoid tearing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie cup
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
