Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe

Looking for a fun, festive treat to impress your sweetheart this year? This Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe brings together soft, chewy sugar cookie dough wrapped snugly around a sweet Hershey’s Hug, topped with adorable sprinkles. Trust me, these bite-sized delights are as joyful to make as they are to munch!

this …

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients & Why They Work
• Make It Your Way
• Step-by-Step: How I Make Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe
• Top Tip
• How to Serve Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe
• Make Ahead and Storage
• Frequently Asked Questions:
• Final Thoughts
• Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you dive in, gather all your ingredients to keep things smooth and fun. I recommend a good quality sugar cookie mix and that you use salted butter for just the right balance of flavor. Also, picking your favorite themed sprinkles adds an extra touch of love!

• Sugar cookie mix: This forms the soft, chewy base and keeps things easy without starting from scratch.
• Salted butter: Melts into the dough for richness and flavor balance.
• All-purpose flour: Helps give the cookie dough structure so it holds the Hershey’s Hug perfectly.
• Egg: Binds all the ingredients and adds moisture for that tender texture.
• Pink or red food coloring: To make your cookie cups festive and eye-catching.
• Hershey’s Hugs: The star of the show—melts beautifully inside to create a creamy, chocolatey surprise.
• Decorative sprinkles (optional): Adds charm and a pop of color right on top.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about making these Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe is how easy it is to personalize them to suit your taste or occasion. Whether you want to play with colors, flavors, or toppings, it’s all about creating sweet little bites that make you smile.

• Variation: Classic Chocolate Chip Twist — I love swapping out the sugar cookie mix for a chocolate chip cookie dough base occasionally. Wrapping the Hershey’s Hugs in a chocolate chip cookie dough ball adds an extra layer of melty chocolate goodness and a subtle crunch from the chips. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect if you like a little extra texture.
• Dietary Friendly: Gluten-Free Option — For friends or family who are gluten-sensitive, you can use a gluten-free sugar cookie mix instead of the regular one. Just be sure the mix is sturdy enough to hold that Hershey’s Hug inside without cracking. The method remains the same, and the results are just as adorable.
• Seasonal Flair: Spice It Up — In the cooler months, I sometimes add a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to the dough. It adds a cozy warmth that complements the sweet chocolate and white swirl of the Hershey’s Hugs beautifully, making these perfect for winter holidays too!
• Toppings Galore — Instead of standard decorative sprinkles, try crushed freeze-dried raspberries, edible glitter, or even finely chopped nuts pressed into the warm tops. The variations not only look stunning but introduce new flavor dimensions to these bite-sized delights.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Space and Preheat the Oven

First things first: give your mini cupcake pan a light spray with cooking spray to help those cookie cups release easily after baking. Then preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures the oven is perfectly heated by the time your cookie cups are ready to bake, giving you an even, golden finish every time.

Step 2: Whip Up the Sugar Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, combine the 17.5-ounce package of sugar cookie mix with ½ cup melted salted butter, 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, and 1 large room temperature egg. Add pink or red food coloring a little at a time until you reach that lovely rosy shade perfect for Valentine’s Day. Beat gently just until everything comes together—overmixing can make the dough tough, so be gentle!

Step 3: Flatten and Stuff the Dough

Grab about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it with your hand or a rolling pin to roughly the size of your palm. Place one unwrapped Hershey’s Hug right in the center, then carefully wrap the dough around the chocolate, forming it into a tight ball. If any cracks form, use your fingers to gently pinch and seal them—this helps keep that melty center perfectly tucked inside as it bakes.

Step 4: Arrange and Bake

Place each dough ball upright in the mini cupcake pan cavities. You should fill about 25 cups with these tiny delights. Then, slide the pan into your preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges look set and lightly golden, with the cookie tops still soft but holding their shape.

Step 5: Add Sprinkles and Cool Down

As soon as you pull the pan from the oven, sprinkle your favorite decorative sprinkles over each warm cookie cup. Press them gently so they stick while the dough is still soft. Let your cookie cups cool in the pan for 15 minutes. This cooling period is key—it helps the cookie cups firm up so you can remove them without worrying about breakage.

How to Serve Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe

Garnishes

These cookie cups are already adorable, but you can add some extra charm with creative garnishes. Think heart-shaped sprinkles, edible glitter, or tiny sugar pearls to amplify that Valentine’s Day theme. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also add a snowy, romantic touch. If you want to get fancy, drizzle some melted white or dark chocolate over the cooled cookie cups for an extra dash of elegance.

Side Dishes

Because these cookie cups are bite-sized and rich, they pair wonderfully with light, refreshing sides. Serve alongside a small bowl of fresh strawberries or raspberries to complement the sweet flavors. A cup of your favorite coffee, hot cocoa, or even a glass of cold milk perfectly balances their sweetness. For a Valentine’s Day celebration, a sparkling rosé or pink lemonade could set a delightful festive mood.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, store your Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to two weeks, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for parties or gift-giving.

Freezing

If you want to keep these cookie cups longer, freeze them individually wrapped in plastic wrap or foil. Then place the wrapped treats in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep wonderfully for 5 to 6 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw at room temperature—easy and convenient!

Reheating

For that fresh-baked warmth, gently reheat your cookie cups in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This softens them up nicely and refreshes the gooey Hershey’s Hug center. Just be sure to watch closely to avoid overheating, which can melt the candy too much.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe — a little sweet surprise wrapped inside a tender cookie, topped with sprinkles and baked with love. Whether you’re making them for your sweetheart, friends, or family, these treats are sure to bring smiles. Have fun baking and sharing these joyful bites of affection, and keep this recipe handy for many celebratory moments to come!

Print