Oh my goodness, is there anything better than the smell of cookies baking? Seriously, it’s pure happiness, right?! And if you’re a strawberry fan like me, you’re in for a real treat! I’ve been baking since I was just a little sprout, practically standing on a stool to reach the counter. I’ve always loved making things that make others smile, especially sweet treats!
I’m so excited to share my go-to recipe for the Strawberry Kiss Cookies. They’re unbelievably easy – seriously, even a beginner could nail these! Plus, they’re melt-in-your-mouth delicious and have the prettiest little strawberry kisses on top. They’re perfect for a quick afternoon treat, a party, or even just because. Trust me, you’re gonna want to make a double batch! These cookies are the perfect way to bring a little bit of sunshine (and strawberries!) into your day. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love These Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Okay, friends, let me tell you why these cookies are the BEST! First off, they’re seriously a breeze to whip up – like, faster than you can say “strawberry”!
- They taste AMAZING! The sweet strawberry jam combined with those yummy strawberry kisses is a flavor explosion!
- Seriously quick and easy to make – perfect for when you need a little sweet something *right now*.
- They’re so darn cute! Seriously. Who can resist a kiss cookie?!
And honestly, who doesn’t love a cookie that’s both delicious and pretty?! You’ll be the star of the show with these, I guarantee it!
Ingredients for the Perfect Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You want these cookies to be the bomb, right? So, let’s start with the good stuff! You’ll need:
- 1 cup of butter, softened. Make sure it’s REAL butter. Trust me, it makes a difference!
- ¾ cup of granulated sugar.
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract – the good stuff!
- 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour.
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda.
- ¼ teaspoon of salt. Don’t skip it! It balances all the sweetness.
- 1 cup of strawberry jam. Find a brand you *love*!
- And, of course… the star of the show: Strawberry-flavored kisses! You can’t have these cookies without ’em!
Using quality ingredients just makes everything taste better! You will taste the difference!
Equipment You’ll Need
Okay, so before we dive in, let’s make sure you’ve got all your gear ready to go! You don’t want to start and then realize you’re missing something, trust me I’ve been there! You’ll need these basics:
- A baking sheet (or two!)
- Mixing bowls – a few different sizes are always handy!
- An electric mixer or a whisk (and some elbow grease!)
- Measuring cups and spoons – accuracy is key!
Easy peasy! Let’s bake!
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Okay, let’s get down to the fun part: making these amazing Strawberry Kiss Cookies! Don’t you worry, it’s super simple, I promise! We’ll break it down step by step, so you’ll be a cookie pro in no time! Remember, baking should be fun, so take your time and enjoy the process!
Preparing the Dough
First up, let’s get that dough ready. It all starts with your softened butter and granulated sugar, so get to creaming them together in a bowl. You can use an electric mixer (makes it easier!) or just use a whisk and some good ol’ fashioned elbow grease! Whisk these until it’s light and fluffy, like a cloud! Next give them a big splash of vanilla, give it another good mix. In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. Then, slowly add those dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing until it just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, you don’t wanna end up with tough cookies! Once it’s all blended, now add the jam. Give everything a final mix to make sure the jam is evenly distributed – and then, boom! Dough is done!
Baking the Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Alright, time to get these cuties baked! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), while that’s heating up get your cookie sheet ready! Now, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. I usually just eyeball it, but if you want perfect cookies, feel free to use a cookie scoop! Place them on a baking sheet, leaving a little room between each cookie. Now comes the best part: baking! Pop those cookies in the oven for about 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You want the edges to be lightly golden, you don’t want them to get overly brown! They’ll still be a little soft when they come out, and that’s perfect.
Adding the Strawberry Kisses
Here’s the grand finale! As soon as your cookies come out of the oven, and I mean like IMMEDIATELY, press a strawberry kiss right into the center of each warm cookie. See, now you know why you gotta have those Kisses on hand! The heat from the cookies will make the kisses get a little melty and perfect. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet (if you can resist eating them right away, that is!). And there you have it – gorgeous, delicious Strawberry Kiss Cookies ready to be devoured! Enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Alright, listen up, because I’ve baked a LOT of cookies in my time, and I’ve learned a few tricks along the way! First off, for the absolute BEST cookies, make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. It really helps everything mix together beautifully. Trust me on this one!
I also like to chill my dough for about 30 minutes before I scoop and bake. It helps the cookies keep their shape and prevents them from spreading out too much, I think it makes them look nicer too. A little sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking really brings out that strawberry flavor – delicious!
My Grandma always said, “A good baker knows their oven!” So, get to know yours! Ovens can vary, so keep an eye on those cookies and adjust the baking time if you need to. And here’s a tip from me: always let your cookies cool completely on the baking sheet to prevent them from breaking! Happy baking!
Variations on Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Okay, so you’ve made the Strawberry Kiss Cookies and loved ’em, right? Great! But guess what? You can totally jazz them up with some fun variations! My favorite part is experimenting!
Try different flavored kisses! Chocolate, caramel, even mint – the possibilities are endless! You could add some chopped nuts to the dough for a little crunch – pecans or walnuts would be amazing! And maybe a splash of almond or lemon extract in place of the vanilla. You do you, have fun, and enjoy your amazing cookies!
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Strawberry Kiss Cookies
So, you’ve got a craving for Strawberry Kiss Cookies, but you don’t have time to bake right now? No problem! Life gets busy, I totally get it! You can totally make these ahead of time! What I like to do is to make the dough and chill it in the fridge for up to a couple of days. That way, when you’re ready, all you have to do is scoop, bake, and kiss, and they’re ready to go!
For storing your baked cookies, it’s super easy! Just let them cool completely, and then store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for about 3-4 days (if they last that long!). And, guess what? You can also freeze the baked cookies! Just pop them in a freezer bag, and they’ll last for a couple of months! Always a good idea to have cookies on hand, right?
Nutritional Information for Strawberry Kiss Cookies
Okay, just a little heads-up! The nutritional info below is just an estimate, since all sorts of things change depending on the brands you use and how you measure! So, don’t take it as gospel, folks!
Each cookie is about 150 calories… but hey, treat yourself! They’re worth it, promise!