If you’re on the hunt for a whimsical and festive treat that’s bound to bring joy and smiles, look no further than this Delightful Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe. These enchanting green cookies pack a punch of holiday spirit with their vibrant color, gooey chocolate centers, and charming red heart decorations that perfectly capture the playful essence of the Grinch. Whether you’re baking with kids, gifting to friends, or decking your dessert table, these cookies are pure magic from the very first bite to the last.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, kitchen-staple ingredients is all you need to create these festive wonders. Each component plays a special part: the sugar cookie mix and flour provide a soft, tender base; butter lends richness and moisture; green gel food coloring gives that unmistakable Grinch hue; and the Hershey’s Kisses and heart-shaped sprinkles add irresistible flavor and adorable finishing touches.
- 18 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped: These chocolates form a melty surprise center inside each cookie.
- 18 large heart-shaped candy sprinkles: A sweet, festive decoration to mimic the Grinch’s mischievous little heart.
- 17.5 ounces sugar cookie mix: The foundation for a chewy, crowd-pleasing cookie texture.
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour: Helps firm up the dough for shaping around the chocolate.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and adds tenderness.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature: Brings richness and a soft mouthfeel.
- 3/4 teaspoon green gel food coloring: The key to that festive bright green color that screams Grinch!
How to Make Delightful Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This is super important because a properly heated oven ensures your cookies bake evenly and develop the perfect texture. While the oven does its work, prep your mini muffin pan by giving it a gentle grease or lining so the cookies don’t stick later.
Step 2: Mix Green Egg Mixture
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and green gel food coloring until you get a consistent, vibrant shade of green. This will infuse your cookies with the playful, unmistakable Grinch spirit we’re aiming for.
Step 3: Blend the Dough
Grab a larger bowl and combine the sugar cookie mix, all-purpose flour, and unsalted butter. Using a handheld mixer on low speed, blend everything for about 2 to 3 minutes until you get a thick, cohesive dough. It should be free of dry spots and easy to work with for shaping around your chocolates.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies with Chocolate Centers
Using a 1½-inch cookie scoop, measure out a generous tablespoon and a half of dough. Flatten the dough into a 3-inch disc, place an unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss in the exact center upright, then carefully wrap the dough around the chocolate, forming a tight ball. Make sure the Kiss is completely covered by dough so it melts perfectly inside when baking.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Place the dough balls into the prepared mini muffin pan, ensuring that the Hershey’s Kisses remain upright during the baking process. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the dough has set but hasn’t browned. The goal is to keep these cookies brightly green, capturing that unmistakable Grinch hue.
Step 6: Add the Final Touches
As soon as you take the cookies from the oven, gently press one heart-shaped candy sprinkle slightly off-center on each cookie. This whimsical heart represents the Grinch’s little heart growing three sizes that day and adds just the right pop of red against the green. Let the cookies cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Delightful Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe
Garnishes
To make these cookies truly pop, you can dust lightly with powdered sugar for a snowy effect or add extra festive sprinkles around the edges. A tiny drizzle of white chocolate can add a snowy highlight that looks charming and tastes divine.
Side Dishes
These delightful treats pair wonderfully with hot cocoa or a warm mug of spiced apple cider. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side can also turn these cookies into an indulgent holiday dessert everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider stacking the cookies on a festive platter or arranging them around a centerpiece for an eye-catching holiday dessert display. Wrapping a few in clear cellophane tied with a red ribbon makes an adorable edible gift for neighbors, friends, or coworkers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Delightful Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe fresh by storing leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and flavorful for up to 4 days, perfect for snacking throughout the holidays.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these festive cookies ahead of time, you can freeze the dough balls before baking. Arrange them on a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a sealed bag. Bake them straight from frozen—adding a minute or two to the baking time—and enjoy fresh-baked goodness anytime.
Reheating
To revive the warm, melty center of these cookies, gently heat a cookie in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This quick trick makes the Hershey Kiss inside perfectly gooey again without compromising the cookie’s texture.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chocolate instead of Hershey’s Kisses?
Absolutely! While Hershey’s Kisses give a classic melt and shape, you can experiment with other chocolates such as mini peanut butter cups or your favorite bite-sized chocolates for a fun twist.
Is green gel food coloring necessary?
Using gel food coloring is best because it provides vibrant color without thinning your dough. Liquid food coloring might make the dough too wet and affect the texture.
Why do the cookies need to be baked in a mini muffin pan?
The mini muffin pan helps the cookies maintain their shape and keeps the chocolate upright during baking, so you get that perfect center and a neat round cookie.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make them gluten-free, swap the sugar cookie mix for a gluten-free version, and ensure your other ingredients are certified gluten-free. The texture may vary slightly, but they’ll still be delicious.
How long will these cookies stay fresh?
When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies are best enjoyed within 4 days to maintain their soft texture and fresh flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Delightful Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe—it’s not just a cookie, it’s a festive experience that brings a smile and a warm feeling with each bite. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday tradition or just want to spread some cheer, this recipe is an absolute must-try. Go ahead, gather your ingredients, and let the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes right in your kitchen.
Print
Delightful Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Grinch Cookies with Hershey Kisses are festive holiday treats that combine a vibrant green sugar cookie dough encasing a Hershey’s Kiss, topped with a heart-shaped candy sprinkle for a whimsical look. These soft, chewy cookies are perfect for holiday parties and gift-giving, featuring a fun ‘Grinch’ theme with eye-catching colors and a gooey chocolate center.
Ingredients
For the Grinch Kiss Cookies
- 18 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped
- 18 large heart-shaped candy sprinkles
- 17.5 ounces sugar cookie mix
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 teaspoon green gel food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. This step is vital because it ensures that your cookies bake evenly. While the oven heats up, you can prepare your mini muffin pan to save time.
- Mix Egg and Food Coloring: In a small bowl, combine the large egg with the green gel food coloring. Whisk them together until the color is evenly distributed. This vibrant green will give your cookies their characteristic Grinch charm!
- Mix Dough: In a larger bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, all-purpose flour, and unsalted butter. Use a handheld mixer on low speed to blend the mixture together for about 2 to 3 minutes. You want to mix until a thick dough forms, ensuring that all ingredients are well incorporated and no dry spots remain.
- Form Cookies: Using a 1½-inch cookie scoop, measure out 1½ tablespoons of dough. Flatten each scoop into a 3-inch disc, then place an unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss upright in the center. Carefully wrap the sides around the candy and shape the dough into a ball, ensuring the Kiss is entirely enclosed.
- Arrange and Bake: Arrange the dough balls in your prepared mini muffin pan, keeping the Hershey’s Kisses upright. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the dough sets but does not brown. Watch carefully to maintain bright green color and avoid overbaking.
- Add Heart Sprinkles and Cool: Once baked, immediately place one large heart-shaped candy sprinkle slightly offset to the right from the center of each cookie for a whimsical touch. Allow cookies to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated before baking to get an even bake and avoid spreading.
- Wrap the dough tightly around Hershey’s Kisses to avoid them leaking during baking.
- Do not overbake to preserve the bright green color and soft texture.
- Allow cookies to cool in the pan before transferring to prevent breakage.
- Use mini muffin pans to keep cookies shaped well and kisses upright.
