Delight in the simplicity and charm of these irresistible Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms. Much like classic thumbprint cookies, these vibrant red treats feature a delightful Hershey’s Kiss chocolate nestled perfectly in their soft, chewy centers. Their striking color and rich flavor make them an ideal choice for festive occasions, whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with a touch of romance or adding a splash of crimson to your Christmas cookie platters.
Looking to expand your holiday baking repertoire? Explore more delightful recipes perfect for any celebration! Try our Valentine’s Day Muddy Buddies / Puppy Chow for a sweet and crunchy snack, indulge in the decadent Cheesecake Swirled Red Velvet Brownies, or bite into our Chewy Valentine’s Day Crinkle Chocolate Cookies with Sprinkles. For even more inspiration, don’t miss our curated list of The Best 18 Valentine’s Day Cookie Ideas.
This past Valentine’s Day, I made a conscious effort to step outside my usual baking routine and create some truly enchanting recipes. My goal was to craft treats that were not only delicious but also visually appealing, perfect for gifting to cherished friends and family. Among the most requested and beloved creations were these stunning, bright red Red Velvet Hershey’s Kiss Blossom Cookies. They offer a unique twist on the classic red velvet experience, which typically comes adorned with cream cheese frosting. This time, we’re swapping the frosting for a delightful chocolate kiss, resulting in a cookie that is both familiar and excitingly new.
The Ultimate Red Velvet Blossom Cookie Recipe
After several dedicated attempts and a series of delicious experiments, I finally perfected this red velvet blossom cookie recipe. The outcome is a cookie that consistently delivers a soft, tender texture and an exquisite red velvet flavor, all while looking absolutely gorgeous. It was crucial to strike the right balance of ingredients to ensure each bite was moist, rich, and bursting with that signature hint of cocoa and vanilla.
One of the key elements that truly elevates these cookies is the choice of coating. I experimented with both plain granulated sugar and a vibrant, glittery red sanding sugar. The winner was clear: the sparkling red sanding sugar transformed these cookies into miniature works of art. It adds an irresistible sparkle and a slight textural crunch that beautifully complements the soft interior, making these red velvet Hershey’s Kiss cookies not just a treat for the taste buds, but also a feast for the eyes.
Why These Red Velvet Blossoms Are a Must-Make
- Perfect for Any Holiday: These striking red velvet chocolate kiss cookies are incredibly versatile, making them a festive addition to any holiday table. They are especially popular for Valentine’s Day with their romantic hue, and they add a cheerful pop of color to Christmas cookie assortments. Their universal appeal makes them a year-round favorite!
- Effortlessly Easy to Make: Don’t be intimidated by their elegant appearance; these blossom cookies are surprisingly simple to prepare. With straightforward steps and common pantry ingredients, even novice bakers can achieve stunning results.
- Fun for All Ages: Baking these cookies is a fantastic activity for families. Kids will love helping roll the dough in the vibrant red sugar and pressing the Hershey’s Kisses into the warm cookies. It’s a wonderful way to create lasting memories in the kitchen.
- Customizable Chocolate Centers: The beauty of blossom cookies lies in their adaptability. While milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses are classic, feel free to experiment with different varieties! Try dark chocolate, white chocolate, caramel-filled, or even holiday-themed Kisses to match your taste or occasion.
- Ideal Batch Size: This recipe yields a modest batch of 18 cookies, perfect for smaller gatherings, gifting, or simply enjoying without an overwhelming surplus. If you’re not looking to bake dozens upon dozens, this recipe is just right for you.
- Irresistible Flavor Profile: These cookies capture the essence of red velvet – a delicate balance of buttery richness with subtle hints of cocoa and vanilla. The chocolate kiss center melts slightly into the warm cookie, creating a delightful texture and an extra layer of chocolatey indulgence.
Essential Ingredients for Your Red Velvet Blossom Cookies
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating these delectable red velvet blossom cookies. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect flavor and texture. For precise measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the complete recipe card below.
- Butter: You’ll need softened butter. Whether you opt for salted or unsalted, ensure it’s at room temperature for optimal creaming with the sugars. Butter provides richness and contributes to the tender crumb of the cookies.
- Brown & Granulated Sugar: This recipe expertly combines both brown sugar and granulated sugar. Brown sugar adds moisture and a lovely chewiness, while granulated sugar contributes to the crisp edges and overall sweetness. This blend ensures a beautifully balanced texture.
- Egg Yolk: The egg yolk acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the cookie dough together. It also introduces additional fat, which is key to keeping your red velvet blossom cookies wonderfully moist and tender, preventing them from drying out during baking.
- Vanilla Extract: A good quality vanilla extract is indispensable. It enhances all the other flavors and adds a warm, aromatic depth that is characteristic of classic red velvet desserts.
- All-Purpose Flour: Standard all-purpose flour provides the primary structure for these cookies. Ensure it’s properly measured to achieve the desired consistency in your dough.
- Cocoa Powder: Red velvet is, at its heart, a subtle chocolate dessert. A small amount of cocoa powder gives these cookies their authentic red velvet flavor profile without overpowering the other notes. It’s just enough to live up to the “velvet” in their name.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is a secret weapon in baking. It balances the sweetness of the sugars and chocolates, enhancing all the flavors and preventing the cookies from tasting one-dimensional.
- Baking Powder: This leavening agent is responsible for giving our red velvet blossom cookies a slight lift and a soft, pillowy texture.
- Red Food Coloring Gel: To achieve that iconic, vibrant red hue, we use a quality red gel food coloring. Gel coloring provides intense color without significantly altering the dough consistency, making your cookies visually stunning.
- Red Sanding Sugar: For an extra festive touch and a delightful sparkle, these cookies are rolled in red sanding sugar before baking. It creates a beautiful glittery coating and adds a subtle crunch.
- Hershey’s Kisses: The signature element of these blossom cookies! I typically use the classic milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses, but feel free to get creative. White chocolate, dark chocolate, or even seasonally flavored Kisses can add a fun personalized touch.
How to Bake the Perfect Red Velvet Blossom Cookies
Crafting these gorgeous red velvet blossom cookies is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these simple steps to achieve perfectly soft and flavorful treats. For the full, detailed instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll down to the recipe card below.
- Prepare Your Workspace: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking.
- Cream the Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and smooth. This typically takes about 2-3 minutes. Then, beat in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and the vibrant red food coloring until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture boasts a uniform, deep red color.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed just until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Shape and Sugar Coat: Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out 18 equally sized cookie dough balls. Roll each portion gently between the palms of your hands to form a smooth sphere. Next, roll each cookie dough ball generously in the red sanding sugar, ensuring it’s completely coated for that beautiful glittery finish. Place the sugared dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each to allow for spreading.
- Bake and Kiss: Bake the cookies for approximately 10 minutes. The edges should be lightly set, but the centers will still look soft and slightly puffy. Immediately upon removing the cookies from the oven, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss chocolate into the center of each warm cookie. The residual heat will soften the chocolate, creating that iconic blossom effect.
- Cool: Allow the red velvet blossom cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes. This allows them to set fully and prevents them from breaking when transferred. After 10 minutes, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these beautiful and delicious chocolate kiss cookies!
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
How to Store Red Velvet Blossoms?
To maintain their freshness and tender texture, these delightful red velvet blossom cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For extended freshness, you can also store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. If refrigerated, make sure to let them return to room temperature before enjoying them to best appreciate their soft texture. For a warm, gooey center, you can even pop them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
What Can I Use Instead of Red Sanding Sugar?
No red sanding sugar on hand? No worries at all! You can absolutely use regular granulated sugar instead. For the best result, opt for a thicker granulated sugar rather than very fine sugar, as it provides a better textural contrast and adherence to the dough. We particularly love this recipe because of its adaptability – you can easily use different colored sanding sugars to match various events or holidays. Imagine black sanding sugar for spooky Halloween treats, or green for a festive Christmas twist!
How Do These Cookies Really Taste Like?
Red velvet flavor can sometimes be a delightful mystery! In essence, these cookies offer a rich, buttery base with subtle yet distinct hints of cocoa and a warm vanilla undertone. This particular recipe uses a gentle amount of cocoa powder, allowing both the chocolate and vanilla notes to shine beautifully without one overpowering the other. The result is a nuanced, comforting flavor that’s incredibly satisfying.
For an extra layer of creaminess that mimics traditional red velvet with cream cheese frosting, consider using white chocolate Hershey’s Kisses. The sweet, smooth white chocolate would pair exceptionally well with the red velvet cookie, creating an even more luxurious experience.
Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Recipe
If you’ve had the pleasure of making these delightful Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms and thoroughly enjoyed them, please consider leaving a 5-star review! Simply click on the stars located under the title and description in the recipe card below. Your feedback helps immensely and is greatly appreciated!
Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms
These red velvet blossoms cookies are wonderfully soft, feature a delightful crunch from the sanding sugar, and are perfectly complemented by the creamy Hershey’s chocolate in the center. A truly festive and easy-to-make treat!
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Ingredients
- 7 tbsp butter, salted or unsalted, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/4 tsp red food coloring gel
- 1 cup AP flour
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup red sanding sugar
- 18 Hershey chocolate kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Prepare Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until well combined and the dough is a uniform vibrant red.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are just incorporated and no flour streaks remain. Do not overmix.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out 18 equally sized dough balls. Roll each ball between the palms of your hands to form a smooth sphere. Then, roll each dough ball generously in the red sanding sugar, ensuring it’s completely coated.
- Bake and Add Kisses: Place the sugared cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes. The cookies should be set around the edges but still soft in the center. Immediately upon removing them from the oven, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss chocolate into the center of each warm cookie.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
How to store red velvet blossoms? You can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. If refrigerated, let them come to room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave before serving.
Tips for Success:
- Ensure your butter is truly softened (not melted) for the best texture.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added, as this can make the cookies tough.
- For perfectly round cookies, roll the dough balls smooth before coating in sugar.
- Unwrap your Hershey’s Kisses before the cookies come out of the oven so you can add them immediately.
Variations:
- Try different Hershey’s Kiss flavors like Hugs (white chocolate) for a classic cream cheese frosting vibe, dark chocolate Kisses for a richer flavor, or even a peppermint Kiss for Christmas!
- Experiment with other sanding sugar colors to match different holidays or themes.
- Add a pinch of almond extract alongside the vanilla for a subtle nutty note.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 17g |
Protein: 2g |
Fat: 7g |
Saturated Fat: 4g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g |
Trans Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 23mg |
Sodium: 147mg |
Potassium: 35mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 10g |
Vitamin A: 150IU |
Calcium: 38mg |
Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
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