Name: Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 52 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounce bag Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix; 4 ounce cream cheese softened (half of an 8-ounce package); 1 large egg; ½ cup pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils; 18 Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses, unwrapped

There’s just something magical about adding a pop of pink and a burst of fun to classic sugar cookies, right? That’s exactly what you get with this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe — soft, cream cheese-infused funfetti sugar cookies rolled in sparkling sugar and crowned with a delicious Hershey's Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kiss. Trust me, these playful bites will brighten up any party or cozy afternoon treat.

A white plate with a pink woven pattern holds several small round cookies. Each cookie has two layers: a base layer in light beige or white with some showing tiny colored sprinkles, and a top layer of pink dollop cream with a smooth texture. Some cookies have their edges covered in red, pink, and white small round sprinkles giving a bright colorful border. The cookies are arranged closely on the plate, which sits on a white marbled surface. In the background, more cookies with the same colors are visible. 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 Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

When I first made these Strawberry Kiss Cookies, I couldn’t believe how easy and fun they were to whip up. Plus, everyone loved how the creamy dough and the bright strawberry chocolate created the perfect bite of sweetness and texture.

Quick and Simple Prep: Using funfetti cookie mix with cream cheese makes the dough soft with minimal effort.
Eye-Catching Presentation: Rolled in sanding sugar or colorful non-pareils, these cookies sparkle and look festive.
Perfect Balance: The strawberry Hershey’s Kiss on top adds a creamy fruity finish without overpowering the cookie.
Totally Shareable: Great for parties, bake sales, or gifting because they’re as fun to give as they are to eat.

Ingredients & Why They Work

I like to keep shopping simple for this recipe, focusing on quality basics that come together easily. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need and why each ingredient is key to achieving that perfect strawberry kiss cookie experience.

Flat lay of a simple white ceramic bowl of smooth cream cheese, one large brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl filled with pink sanding sugar crystals, a neat pile of unwrapped Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses with shiny pink foil wrappers removed showing their glossy pink surface, and a simple white ceramic bowl holding plain sugar cookie mix, all arranged symmetrically in realistic proportions, placed 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

Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix: Gives you that funfetti charm with sprinkles and just the right cookie base without starting from scratch.
Cream Cheese: Softens the dough and adds a subtle tanginess making these cookies irresistibly tender.
Large Egg: Helps bind the dough together and adds richness.
Pink or White Sanding Sugar or Non-Pareils: Adds sparkle and a slightly crunchy outer coating for visual appeal and texture.
Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses: The signature topper lending that fruity, creamy strawberry finish that seals the deal.

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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

The great thing about this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tailor it to your taste or occasion! Whether you want to experiment with different coatings or mix-ins, these funfetti sugar cookies are a fantastic canvas for creativity.

Variation: For a little extra crunch and color, I’ve enjoyed swapping the sanding sugar for festive non-pareils—especially around holidays. They add a playful texture, although they don’t prevent sticking as much as sanding sugar. Just a heads-up for easier handling!
Dietary tweak: Want a dairy-free version? Try using a cream cheese alternative that’s plant-based. The cookie mix often can be swapped for a gluten-free version, too, if that’s your preference. Just keep an eye on dough consistency for best results.
Seasonal twist: Around Valentine’s Day, I love using pink sanding sugar paired with the Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses for an extra festive look. Alternatively, for spring, pastel-colored non-pareils give these cookies a fresh, joyful vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a bite taken donut with a light beige, soft texture sprinkled with red, pink, and white round sprinkles on the outside. The donut is topped with a cone-shaped dollop of smooth pink icing that drips slightly onto the donut surface. Small scattered sprinkles surround the donut on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep for Success

Start by lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure your cookies come off easily and to keep cleanup simple. Then, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s perfectly hot by the time you’re ready to bake. It’s a small but important step that sets you up for cookie perfection.

Step 2: Mix Up That Creamy Dough

Grab a large bowl and your mixer—hand or stand—and beat together the funfetti sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and the large egg. You’re aiming for a soft, slightly sticky dough that’s bursting with those joyful sprinkles. If the dough feels too sticky to manage, don’t worry—refrigerate it for 30 to 60 minutes. This little chill helps the dough firm up just enough to handle without losing its softness.

Step 3: Coat the Dough Balls in Sparkle

Pour your choice of pink or white sanding sugar—or non-pareils—into a shallow bowl. Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the dough and drop each ball directly into the sugary coating. Roll it gently between your hands to cover the dough completely, shaping it into a neat, smooth ball. This sugary coating adds a delightful crunch and a hint of sparkle that makes these cookies extra special.

Step 4: Space Them Out and Bake

Arrange your coated cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 ½ inches apart. This spacing gives the cookies room to spread without merging into one another. Pop the tray in your preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes—or just until the edges are set and slightly firm. You’ll notice the cookies puff a little and the sugar coating will catch the light beautifully.

Step 5: Add the Iconic Strawberry Kiss

Once baked, let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 to 5 minutes—just enough time for them to settle but still be warm. Now comes the fun part: gently press an unwrapped Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kiss into the center of each cookie. This warm cookie will slightly soften the Kiss, creating a luscious, creamy center that’s as pretty as it is tasty.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Transfer your cookies to a cooling rack to set completely if you prefer a firmer Kiss, or serve them warm if you love that soft, melty center. Remember, how long you wait to press in the Kisses influences their texture—the sooner you add them after baking, the softer they’ll be. Either way, you’re in for a treat!

Top Tip

These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are a delightful treat, but a few handy tips can make your baking experience even better and ensure perfect results every time.

Handling Sticky Dough: I found that chilling the dough for 30 to 60 minutes really helps with scooping and rolling. Coating your hands and cookie scoop lightly with sanding sugar also works wonders to keep things from sticking too much.
Cookie Cooling Time: From personal trial, pressing the Strawberry Kisses into the cookies after they’ve cooled for about 3 to 5 minutes strikes the perfect balance. The chocolates soften a little without completely melting and losing shape.
Choosing Your Coating: Sanding sugar is my go-to for rolling the dough because it prevents sticking and adds a lovely sparkle, while non-pareils create cute texture but are a bit trickier to work with.
Storage Mistake to Avoid: Don’t cover or store the cookies while they are still warm. This can deform the Strawberry Kisses and affect the cookie’s shape—patience here pays off!

How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

A clear glass bowl sits on a white marbled surface, filled with a thick, creamy dough that has colorful small sprinkles mixed throughout. Around the bowl, there are small white bowls containing pink sugar and round tiny red and white sprinkles, as well as foil-wrapped candies in shiny purple wrappers spilling slightly out of one bowl. To the upper right, a white plate with a gold rim holds a wooden holder with a broken eggshell inside. The overall scene is bright and soft, with soft shadows and a clean, white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To make your Strawberry Kiss Cookies even more festive, try sprinkling a few extra non-pareils or sanding sugar around the edges after baking. A light dusting of powdered sugar can add a touch of elegance for special occasions. For a fun twist, serve them alongside fresh strawberries or a drizzle of white chocolate.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a cup of lightly brewed herbal tea. For parties, consider serving them with a strawberry or vanilla ice cream sundae bar, or alongside other pink-themed treats like raspberry macarons or strawberry cupcakes to keep the theme going.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once fully cooled, store your Strawberry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. They stay fresh and chewy during this time, perfect for snacking or sharing with friends.

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies for 2-3 months. For best results, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Reheating

If you prefer warm cookies, gently reheat them in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds or pop them in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. Just be careful not to melt the Strawberry Kisses too much — warm, soft, but still shaped is the sweet spot!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular Hershey’s Kisses instead of Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses?

Absolutely! While the Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses add a fun strawberry twist, you can use any Hershey’s Kisses you like. Just remember the flavor and texture will vary slightly.

What if my dough is too sticky to handle?

If you find the dough too sticky, refrigerate or freeze it for 30-60 minutes before scooping and rolling. Also, lightly dust your hands and scoop with sanding sugar to avoid sticking.

How long should I wait before pressing the Kisses on top?

I recommend letting the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 to 5 minutes before pressing in the Kisses. This way, they soften slightly without melting completely.

How long do the Strawberry Kiss Cookies stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh for 3-4 days. Refrigeration can extend their life up to a week, and freezing up to 2-3 months.

Final Thoughts

Making Strawberry Kiss Cookies is a joyful experience—both in the baking and the sharing. These sweet, sparkly cookies bring a burst of fun to any occasion and are sure to brighten your day. Whether you’re baking for a party or a cozy afternoon treat, I hope this recipe fills your kitchen with warmth and happiness. Happy baking!