What exactly are Hershey Hugs?

Hershey Hugs are delightful striped chocolates combining creamy white creme and milk chocolate, giving a unique peppermint flavor. They’re perfect for this recipe because they melt beautifully on the cookie tops without losing their charm.

Can I use another chocolate candy instead of Hershey Hugs?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with Hot Cocoa Kisses, Peppermint Bark Bells, or even classic chocolate kisses. Just choose something that melts nicely and complements the cinnamon and chocolate cookie base.

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking, or bake and freeze the cookies. Just keep them stored airtight to maintain their fudgy texture and freshness.

How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for edges that just start to lose their shiny gloss but avoid any browning; this will ensure the center stays fudgy. Baking 6 to 7 minutes at 350°F usually does the trick for most ovens.

Fiesta Fudge Cookies with Hershey Hugs

Name: Fiesta Fudge Cookies with Hershey Hugs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 17 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ⅓ cup butter; 6 oz unsweetened chocolate; 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk; 1 1lb 1.5 oz sugar cookie mix; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 40 Hershey Hugs, unwrapped

Description

Delight in these rich Fiesta Fudge Cookies featuring a luscious blend of butter, unsweetened chocolate, and sweetened condensed milk, combined with sugar cookie mix and a hint of cinnamon. Each cookie is topped with a Hershey's Hug for a festive finish, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Base

⅓ cup butter
6 oz unsweetened chocolate
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 1lb 1.5 oz sugar cookie mix
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Topping

40 Hershey Hugs, unwrapped

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside for cookie placement.
Melt Butter and Chocolate: In a large microwavable bowl, microwave the butter and unsweetened chocolate for 1 minute. Stir the mixture and microwave an additional 1 minute until butter is completely melted and the chocolate is smooth.
Add Condensed Milk: Stir the sweetened condensed milk into the melted chocolate and butter mixture until fully combined.
Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually stir in the sugar cookie mix and ground cinnamon until the dough is well blended and uniform in texture.
Portion Dough: Using a medium cookie scoop, portion approximately 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Place each dough ball 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 7 minutes or until the edges lose their shiny appearance. Take care not to over bake.
Press Candies: Immediately after removing from the oven, press one Hershey Hug into the center of each cookie with the point side facing up.
Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then gently tap the edges to help the candy spread slightly on the cookie surface. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely before serving.

Notes

Hershey’s Hugs are striped chocolates with white creme hugged by milk chocolate, adding a special touch to each cookie.
A 12 oz bag of Hugs contains about 70 pieces, enough for approximately 40 cookies.
Try substituting Hugs with Hot Cocoa Kisses, Peppermint Bark Bells, Mint Truffles, or Candy Cane Mint Chocolates for unique seasonal variations.
Store the cookies covered at room temperature to maintain freshness.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 150 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 75 mg
Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 22 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 2 g
Cholesterol: 20 mg