Name: Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter softened; 1¼ cup white sugar divided; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ½ tsp peppermint extract; 2 tsp milk; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ¼ tsp baking soda; ¼ tsp salt; ½ cup crushed candy canes; 28 Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses

There’s something magically nostalgic about baking during the holidays, especially when peppermint and chocolate are involved. This Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe brings together that simply irresistible combo—crunchy candy cane bits, buttery cookies, and a soft melt-in-your-mouth Hershey’s Kiss right on top. It’s a festive treat that instantly puts you in a cozy, cheerful mood.

The image shows many round cookies on a metal cooling rack. Each cookie has two layers: the base layer is light beige with a slightly cracked and soft texture, speckled with tiny red bits inside the dough. The top layer is a round candy sitting right in the middle of the cookie, striped with red and white swirls, smooth and shiny. The cookies are closely placed next to each other, and a few wrapped candies with shiny red and silver wrappers are scattered among them. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe isn’t just about a cookie—it’s about creating a moment. From mixing up the dough to pressing the Kiss in each warm cookie, I always feel like I’m crafting a little holiday magic. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to pull off, even if you’re new to baking.

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your pantry, making it quick to start.
Festive Flavor: Peppermint and chocolate kisses create that perfect holiday bite you’ll keep coming back for.
Fun & Interactive: Pressing the Kiss on warm cookies is my favorite part—kids love helping with this step.
Great for Gifting: These cookies package beautifully, making them an easy homemade gift.

A close-up view of a small round cookie with a light beige color and crumbly texture, held by a woman's hand at the bottom left. The cookie has small red bits mixed in the dough and a white and red striped chocolate drop placed upright in the center on top. The cookie is partly bitten, revealing a soft inside, and the background is filled with more similar cookies out of focus on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe plays a role in the perfect holiday cookie experience. Balancing the buttery richness with peppermint’s bright zing and chocolate’s smooth sweetness means every bite hits all the right notes. Here’s a quick rundown of why these ingredients shine here.

Flat lay of a half cup of unsalted butter softened in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of white granulated sugar, a single large brown egg with clean shell, a tiny white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a tiny white bowl with clear peppermint extract, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white bowl with baking soda, a small white bowl with salt, a small white bowl of milk, a small white bowl containing crushed red and white candy cane pieces, and a neat pile of red and white peppermint Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses chocolates, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Provides a rich, creamy texture and flavor. Unsalted helps you control the salt level perfectly.
White sugar: Sweetens and adds slight crispness to the cookie edges.
Egg: Binds ingredients together, giving structure and moisture.
Vanilla extract: Deepens flavor and blends beautifully with peppermint.
Peppermint extract: The star of the show for holiday spirit; use good quality for the best burst.
All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie, providing structure without heaviness.
Baking soda: Leavens gently to keep the cookies soft and slightly chewy.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors.
Milk: Adds moisture and helps mix the dough to the right consistency.
Crushed candy canes: Adds crunch and peppermint bursts throughout the cookie.
Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses: The festive finishing touch that melts into the warm cookie, making it extra special.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe depending on the occasion or the crowd. The base is super versatile, so feel free to play around with flavors or textures to make it truly yours.

Variation: One year, I swapped half the white sugar for brown sugar, and it gave the cookies a subtle caramel warmth that paired surprisingly well with the peppermint.
Dietary twist: For a gluten-free version, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend—just be sure to check dough consistency as you mix.
Extra crunch: Toss in some finely chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts if you want a nutty surprise.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by softening the butter so it’s easy to whip. Using a handheld mixer on medium-low speed, beat the butter with 1 cup of sugar until fluffy—this usually takes around 1 to 2 minutes. You’ll notice the mixture lighten in color and get a delightful creamy texture, which means you’re on the right track.

Step 2: Add the Egg and Extracts

Next, crack in the egg and add both vanilla and peppermint extracts. Continue mixing for about a minute until everything’s combined. The peppermint extract is subtle but bright—don’t skip this or your cookies will miss that iconic holiday pop.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent is evenly distributed, which helps avoid flat cookies or uneven texture.

Step 4: Combine and Add Candy Canes

Slowly add the dry mixture and milk to the wet ingredients. Beat just until the dough comes together—you want to avoid overmixing to keep the cookies light and tender. Finally, fold in the crushed candy canes for those sweet peppermint crunches scattered throughout.

Step 5: Shape, Roll, and Chill

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a smooth ball with your hands. Then, coat these dough balls in the remaining ¼ cup sugar—this crust of sugar adds a subtle sparkle and crispy edge to the cookies. Arrange them spaced about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then pop them in the fridge for two hours. Chilling prevents spreading and helps the Kisses stay nestled perfectly on top.

Step 6: Bake and Press the Kisses

While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 375°F. Bake the cookies for 10 minutes or until they’re just set in the center—you want them soft but cooked through. Remove from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes. This is when the magic happens: gently press an unwrapped Hershey's Candy Cane Kiss into the center of each cookie. The warmth softens the kiss, making it the perfect melty topping.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe dozens of times, and these little tips really helped me nail it every single batch. Trust me, they’ll save you time and frustration!

Chill is Key: Don’t skip the two-hour chill—it keeps cookies from spreading too much and ensures that peppermint Kiss stays right on top.
Quality Extracts Matter: A high-quality peppermint extract makes a noticeable difference—it’s worth investing in this small upgrade.
Sugar Coating: Rolling the dough balls in sugar adds a delightful crunch and an elegant finish that looks great on gift trays.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies will continue baking slightly after you remove them from the oven; pulling them out when the centers are just set ensures soft, chewy goodness.

How to Serve Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

While the crushed candy canes inside the cookies offer a festive crunch, I often sprinkle a few extra candy cane bits on top of the Kisses right after pressing them down—this small touch adds extra color and crunch that guests notice and enjoy.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine as a holiday treat alongside a warm cup of cocoa or peppermint-spiked coffee. For a holiday dessert platter, I like to serve them with sliced fruit and a rich fudge dip to balance out the minty sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Wrapped in cellophane bags tied with red and white twine or stacked in festive tins with tissue paper, these cookies make charming gifts. I’ve also used cookie platters garnished with fresh pine sprigs and cranberries for holiday parties—an instant crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Candy Cane Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for about 5 to 7 days—perfect for nibbling over the week after baking.

Freezing

You can freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls (rolled and sugared) for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before baking. Or, freeze baked cookies without the Kisses and add them fresh after reheating—they stay fresher this way.

Reheating

Pop leftover cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave them for 10-15 seconds to revive that melt-in-your-mouth softness—just be careful not to overheat and dry them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular chocolate kisses instead of Candy Cane Kisses?

While you can use regular Hershey’s Kisses, the peppermint flavor in Candy Cane Kisses is what gives these cookies their signature holiday twist. Using regular chocolate will change the flavor profile but still taste delicious.

Why do I need to chill the cookie dough?

Chilling the dough for at least two hours firms it up, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also helps keep the Candy Cane Kiss perfectly centered when you press it in afterward.

Can I make these cookies in advance for a party?

Absolutely! You can make the dough and chill it a day or two before, then bake right before your event. Or bake the cookies fully in advance (without pressing in the kisses), then add the Kisses just before serving for the freshest look.

What’s the best way to crush candy canes for the recipe?

I like placing the candy canes inside a sealed plastic bag and gently smashing them with a rolling pin. This method gives you chunky bits that add texture without turning into dust.

Final Thoughts

This Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe is one of my holiday favorites because it blends simple techniques with truly joyful results. The look, smell, and taste of these cookies always bring people together and make the season feel extra special. I hope you’ll give them a try—they’re warm, festive, and just plain fun to bake and share with those you love.