Description
Delightfully soft and festive, these Red Velvet Blossom Cookies combine the rich flavors of red velvet cake with a sweet, melty chocolate center. Perfect for holiday baking or any special occasion, they feature a tender crumb, a slightly crisp sugar coating, and a classic Hershey’s kiss on top for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 box red velvet cake mix (15.25 oz.)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp espresso powder (optional)
Coating
- 1 cup regular or coarse sugar
Topping
- 24 Hershey’s kiss candies (or other mini chocolate candy)
Instructions
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk together the eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until fully combined.
- Combine with Dry Ingredients: Add the red velvet cake mix and espresso powder (if using) to the wet mixture and stir thoroughly until a uniform dough is formed.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to handle and roll.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Once chilled, scoop and roll the dough into 1½-inch balls. Roll each ball in a cup of sugar to coat evenly.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the sugar-coated dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to set and the cookies are puffed with slight crinkling on top.
- Add Chocolate Kisses: Remove the cookies from the oven and, while still warm, gently press a Hershey’s kiss candy into the center of each cookie. Allow the cookies to cool completely to set the candies.
- Optional Candy Handling: If using Hugs candy kisses, which tend to soften and melt more, transfer the cookies to the refrigerator or freezer until the chocolate firms up to prevent excessive melting into the cookie.
Notes
- Espresso powder is optional but enhances the chocolate flavor depth in the cookies.
- Using coarse sugar for coating gives a nice texture contrast on the cookie surface.
- Be careful not to overbake; cookies should be soft and slightly underdone for the best texture.
- Keep cookies stored in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- For a festive touch, consider using colored sugar or sprinkles instead of plain sugar.
