There’s something undeniably cheerful about a cookie that’s bursting with sprinkles, soft cream cheese, and topped with a strawberry-flavored chocolate kiss. If you’re ready to bake something fun and delicious, this Strawberry Kiss Cookie Bars Recipe might just become your new favorite treat!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I first made these Strawberry Kiss Cookies on a whim, and honestly, I couldn’t stop smiling while baking. The combination of fluffy funfetti dough with a gentle tang from cream cheese and that little strawberry kiss melting on top? Perfection every time.
- Soft, Moist Texture: Cream cheese in the dough keeps these cookies tender and perfectly soft.
- Colorful & Festive: Funfetti sprinkles brighten the cookie and mood alike—great for celebrations or anytime you want a pop of color.
- Easy Prep: Using a funfetti sugar cookie mix means less fuss without sacrificing flavor.
- Unique Strawberry Twist: The Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses add a melty, fruity finish that makes these cookies extra special.
Ingredients & Why They Work
When you're shopping for this recipe, look for a good quality funfetti sugar cookie mix to ensure a sweet, well-flavored base. The cream cheese adds that lovely soft texture, so make sure it's softened well for easy mixing. And of course, don’t skip the star ingredient—the strawberry Hershey’s Kisses bring the whole cookie to life!
- Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix: Provides a colorful, sweet base packed with festive sprinkles and simple prep.
- Cream Cheese: Adds moisture and tenderness, giving the cookies a soft, melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Large Egg: Binds everything together and adds structure while keeping the dough soft.
- Pink or White Sanding Sugar or Non-Pareils: Coats the cookie dough balls, offering a delicate crunch and extra sparkle.
- Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses: The fruity chocolate star that melts gently into the cookie’s center, creating an irresistible topping.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about the Strawberry Kiss Cookie Bars Recipe is how easily you can customize it to fit your taste or occasion. Whether you want to tweak the look, flavor, or texture, it’s all about making these delightful treats your own!
- Funfetti Flair: I love adding extra colorful sprinkles both inside the dough and on top before baking to make these cookies extra festive, perfect for birthdays or holidays.
- Nutty Twist: For a little crunch, try mixing in finely chopped pecans or almonds. They add a subtle nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy cookie base and fruity Kiss.
- Dietary Swaps: To make these gluten-free, look for a funfetti cookie mix that’s GF-friendly. You can also swap the egg for a flax egg if you need an egg-free option, and use vegan cream cheese for a dairy-free version.
- Seasonal Swaps: Swap the strawberry Hershey’s Kisses for the classic or mint flavor during the holidays to match your festive theme.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Kiss Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Start by lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Then, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s important to get the oven fully heated so your cookies bake evenly and develop a perfect soft texture.
Step 2: Mix Together the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the 16-ounce bag of funfetti sugar cookie mix, softened 4 ounces of cream cheese, and 1 large egg. Use a hand or stand mixer to beat these ingredients until they form a soft, cohesive dough. The cream cheese adds a lovely richness and moisture that makes these cookies extra tender.
Step 3: Coat the Dough Balls
Pour about ½ cup of pink or white sanding sugar—or non-pareils if you prefer—into a shallow bowl. Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out dough balls and drop them into the sugar. Roll gently until fully coated and then shape them into smooth, round balls. Don’t worry if the dough feels sticky — you can chill it for 30-60 minutes to make rolling easier.
Step 4: Arrange and Bake Your Cookies
Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 ½ inches apart. This gives them room to spread just right. Bake in your preheated oven for 12 minutes, or until the edges look set but the centers are still soft and inviting. This timing gives you that perfect balance of tender cookie and delicate structure.
Step 5: Add the Strawberry Kisses and Cool
Once the cookies come out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes. While they’re still warm but not piping hot, press an unwrapped Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kiss into the center of each cookie. The warmth softens the Kiss just enough for a slight melty embrace without losing shape. Then transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool fully, or serve them warm if you prefer that melty chocolate experience right away.
Top Tip
Mastering the Strawberry Kiss Cookie Bars Recipe is easier with a few handy tips that make this funfetti delight come out perfectly every time. These little hints will help you handle the sticky dough and get that magical melt of the strawberry Kisses just right.
- Managing Sticky Dough: I always chill the dough for 30-60 minutes if it feels too sticky – it makes scooping and rolling so much smoother without losing that soft texture.
- Coating Tricks: Using sanding sugar on my hands and cookie scoop was a game-changer. It keeps the dough from sticking and gives the cookies a pretty sparkle, unlike non-pareils which coat the cookie but not your hands.
- Kiss Placement Timing: I found letting the cookies cool 3-5 minutes before pressing the Kisses in gives the perfect balance—the chocolate melts slightly but doesn’t lose its shape.
- Avoiding Misshapen Kisses: Never cover or store cookies while warm to keep those strawberry Kisses intact and looking picture-perfect.
How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
To add an extra pop of color and texture, sprinkle some extra pink or white sanding sugar over the cookies just before serving. You can even dust a little powdered sugar for a light, snowy effect perfect for holiday vibes. Fresh strawberry slices or a few edible flower petals on the serving tray make these cookie bars feel extra festive.
Side Dishes
These strawberry-topped funfetti cookies pair beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk or a creamy vanilla latte. For a festive gathering, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or a bowl of whipped cream to dip the bars in. They also make a charming companion to a light sorbet or vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert trio.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Strawberry Kiss Cookie Bars have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature where they will stay fresh for 3-4 days. If you want them to last a bit longer, keep them refrigerated for up to one week—but be mindful that chilling can slightly firm up the cookies and Kisses.
Freezing
To enjoy these treats anytime, freeze the cooled cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag for 2-3 months. When you’re ready, just thaw them at room temperature for a few hours — they’ll taste nearly as fresh as the day you baked them!
Reheating
If you love them warm with a melty Kiss center, gently warm the cookies in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Just be careful not to overheat, or the Kisses can lose their shape.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While the Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses add a unique fruity twist, you can try classic milk chocolate or even white chocolate Kisses to change up the flavor profile of your cookie bars.
No worries! You can use two spoons to scoop and form dough balls or simply use your hands (coating them lightly with sanding sugar to prevent sticking) to shape the cookies evenly.
The cream cheese adds moisture and richness, creating a wonderfully soft and tender cookie texture that perfectly complements the sweet strawberry topping.
To make a gluten-free version, choose a gluten-free funfetti sugar cookie mix. Just ensure the other ingredients like the Kisses and sanding sugar are also gluten-free to keep the recipe safe.
Final Thoughts
The Strawberry Kiss Cookie Bars Recipe is one of those joyful treats that bring a smile with every bite – soft, colorful, and topped with that deliciously melty strawberry Kiss. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a party, or just a simple sweet fix, these cookies never disappoint. I hope these tips and serving ideas inspire you to make this fun, festive recipe a new favorite in your kitchen. Happy baking and even happier eating!
Print
Strawberry Kiss Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 52 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Strawberry Kiss Cookies are delightful sugar cookies made from a funfetti mix blended with cream cheese for a soft texture, then topped with a strawberry-flavored Hershey’s Kiss. These colorful, sweet treats have a perfect balance of soft cookie and melty chocolate, ideal for festive occasions or anytime you crave a fun, fruity cookie.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 16 ounce bag Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix
- 4 ounce cream cheese softened (½ 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
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking.
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat together the funfetti sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, and large egg until combined into a soft dough.
- Prepare Sugar Coating: Pour the pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils into a shallow bowl to coat the cookie dough balls later.
- Scoop and Coat Dough: Using a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out balls of dough and drop them into the bowl with sugar or non-pareils. Roll gently to coat and then roll into an even ball.
- Optional Chill: If the dough is too sticky to handle, refrigerate or freeze it for 30-60 minutes. This will make it easier to scoop and roll, though it will still be slightly sticky.
- Arrange Cookies: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 ½ inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the edges are set but cookies are still soft in the center.
- Cool and Add Kisses: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes, then press an unwrapped Hershey’s Strawberry Kiss firmly into the center of each cookie.
- Final Cooling: Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely or serve them warm, enjoying the melty chocolate top.
Notes
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate up to one week.
- Cookies can be frozen for 2-3 months to maintain freshness.
- Avoid covering or storing cookies while still warm to prevent the Kisses from deforming.
- Chilling dough before scooping helps manage stickiness and makes rolling easier.
- Use sanding sugar on hands and scoops to manage sticky dough; non-pareils coat cookies but don’t prevent stickiness on hands.
- Adjust cookie cooling time before pressing in Kisses to control how soft or firm the chocolate becomes; longer cooling results in firmer Kisses.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Leave a Reply