If you’re on the hunt for a charmingly sweet treat that’s both easy to make and impossible to resist, the Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These vibrant red velvet cookies, crowned with a classic Hershey’s Kiss, offer a beautiful balance of moist cake-like texture and that perfect chocolatey pop right in the center. Ideal for holidays, gift-giving, or simply brightening up an ordinary day, this recipe transforms just a handful of pantry staples into festive, melt-in-your-mouth delights that everyone will rave about.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s amazing about this recipe is how straightforward and accessible the ingredients are, yet each one plays a crucial role in achieving that iconic red velvet richness, soft texture, and sparkling sugary finish.
- 1 box red velvet cake mix (15.25 oz): The star of the show, providing vibrant color, cake-like softness, and that unmistakable red velvet flavor.
- ½ cup vegetable oil: Adds moisture and tenderness, keeping the cookies delightfully soft instead of dry or crumbly.
- 2 large eggs: Bind all the ingredients together and help create structure with a nice lift.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional): A subtle enhancer that deepens the flavor, making these cookies taste homemade and extra comforting.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling): Adds a sweet, crunchy coating that contrasts perfectly with the soft cookie interior.
- 24–30 Hershey’s Kisses (milk chocolate or cream-filled), unwrapped: The iconic finishing touch that melts slightly to create a luscious chocolate center and a festive look.
How to Make Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven warms, line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your cookies will bake evenly and lift off the sheet effortlessly after baking, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract if you’re using it. Stir until you have a soft, uniform dough that’s thick yet pliable. The cake mix does all the heavy lifting here, so the dough comes together quickly and easily without fuss.
Step 3: Shape and Sugar-Coat
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them gently between your palms into balls. Roll each ball in the granulated sugar, which will give the cookies their classic shimmer and a bit of sweet crunch. Arrange them on your prepared baking sheet with about 2 inches of space between each to give them room to spread into perfect little mounds.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pop the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, watching for the edges to set and the tops to begin cracking. This visual cue means the cookies are perfectly baked with that sought-after slightly chewy center.
Step 5: Add the Hershey’s Kisses
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven and while they’re still warm (but not too hot), gently press a Hershey’s Kiss right into the center of each cookie. This temperature ensures the chocolate softens just enough to meld with the cookie without melting away. Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely for that perfect texture and appearance.
How to Serve Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate these cookies beyond the classic, try dusting them with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or cocoa powder just before serving. For a festive touch, crushed peppermint or edible glitter adds sparkle and seasonal charm, making every cookie look like a little holiday gem.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a warm mug of coffee or hot cocoa. Their moist, rich texture and chocolate-y center complement creamy and comforting drinks perfectly, creating an irresistible snack setup for any time of day.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies Recipe on a decorative platter lined with festive napkins for parties or gifting. You can also stack them with parchment paper between layers inside a pretty tin or mason jar for a charming homemade gift. Adding a handwritten tag with the recipe’s name and a heartfelt note gives that extra personal touch everyone loves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days, making them a perfect make-ahead treat for busy weeks or unexpected guests.
Freezing
If you want to make these beauties ahead of time for holiday baking or parties, freeze the baked cookies without the Hershey’s Kisses first. Once frozen solid, add the kisses or freeze with kisses for a slightly softened center. Store them in a sealed freezer-safe container for up to 3 months to enjoy fresh flavor later.
Reheating
To get that fresh-baked warmth back, simply let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature, then warm briefly in a preheated 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This little step revives their softness and ensures the chocolate center is perfectly melty again.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chocolate instead of Hershey’s Kisses?
Absolutely! While Hershey’s Kisses are traditional and convenient, feel free to try mini chocolate chips, chunks, or even flavored kisses. Just make sure to add them while the cookies are still warm for that perfect melty result.
Is it necessary to use a boxed cake mix for this recipe?
Using a boxed red velvet cake mix keeps this recipe quick and foolproof. However, if you prefer from-scratch baking, you can create a red velvet dough, but expect more prep time and ingredient measuring involved.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
If you can find a gluten-free red velvet cake mix, you can substitute it here to make gluten-free Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies Recipe. Just be sure to double-check all ingredients like vanilla extract and kisses for gluten content.
Why do the cookies crack while baking?
Those pretty cracks are a hallmark of this recipe and happen as the cookies rise and set. They add character and hold the chocolate in place, so embrace them as part of what makes these cookies so special.
What’s the best way to prevent the chocolate from melting too much?
Remove the cookies from the oven and wait a few minutes before pressing in the kisses. They should be warm but not piping hot, which keeps the chocolate from melting completely and keeps the presentation neat and delicious.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something so joyful about making and sharing the Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies Recipe. Its simplicity, festive looks, and irresistible flavor guarantee smiles every time. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or yourself, these sweet little cookies bring a touch of red velvet magic wherever they go. Don’t hesitate—grab your ingredients and start baking your new favorite cookie experience today!
Print
Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24–30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies are festive and delicious red velvet cookies made from a cake mix, rolled in sugar, baked to perfection, and topped with a classic Hershey’s Kiss. These soft and chewy cookies are perfect for holidays, gift boxes, or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box red velvet cake mix (15.25 oz)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Topping
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 24–30 Hershey’s Kisses (milk chocolate or cream-filled), unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make Dough: In a large bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract if using. Mix until a soft, uniform dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated but not overmixed.
- Shape Cookies: Using a tablespoon, scoop out portions of the dough and roll each into a ball. Then, roll each dough ball in granulated sugar, coating them evenly, and place them on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops start to crack slightly, indicating they are perfectly baked but still soft inside.
- Add Hershey’s Kisses: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press one unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. This step should be done while the cookies are warm but not hot to avoid melting the chocolate too much.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to set the chocolate and cookie shape, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Ensure the cookies are warm, not hot, before pressing the Hershey’s Kisses on to prevent the chocolate from melting excessively.
- These cookies are ideal for holiday celebrations and make excellent gifts when packaged in festive boxes.
