Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies

If you're looking for a fun, festive cookie recipe that looks stunning on a holiday dessert table, these Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies are the perfect choice.

this recipe

Right after the first bite, you'll taste soft, buttery red velvet with a hint of cocoa, topped with a melty Hershey’s Kiss that brings it all together. These cookies are as easy to make as they are to love, and they’re ideal for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or any time you want a cookie that pops with color and flavor.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love These Cookies
• Flavor and Texture
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Pro Tips for Perfect Blossoms
• How to Serve Them
• Storage Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Cookie Recipes You’ll Love
• Try It and Share
• Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

Quick and Simple to Make

This is a one-bowl recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes. You don’t need any fancy tools, and the steps are straightforward. It's a great baking project to do with kids or if you’re new to baking.

Festive and Fun

Their bright red color and glittery sugar coating make them eye-catching on any cookie platter. Plus, you can easily adapt them with different Hershey’s Kisses for any season or celebration.

Small Batch, Big Flavor

This recipe yields about 18 cookies—perfect if you want just enough to enjoy or gift without baking four dozen.

Flavor and Texture

These red velvet blossoms are soft and tender in the center, with a slightly crisp, sugary edge. The flavor balances buttery richness with a gentle chocolate note from the cocoa powder. The Hershey’s Kiss in the center adds a creamy, melty surprise in every bite. If you love red velvet cake, this is your cookie version dream.

Ingredients and Substitutions

What You’ll Need

• 7 tablespoons softened butter (salted or unsalted)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon red gel food coloring
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup red sanding sugar
• 18 Hershey's Kisses (any variety)

Substitution Ideas

• No red sanding sugar? Use coarse white sugar or mix white sugar with a drop of red food coloring.
• Want to skip dairy? Use plant-based butter and dairy-free chocolate kisses.
• No egg yolk? Replace it with 1 tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt or applesauce for a similar result.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Mix until well combined.

4. Stir in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Mix just until no dry streaks remain.
5. Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, then coat in red sanding sugar.
6. Place cookie dough balls on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart and bake for 10 minutes.

7. As soon as they come out of the oven, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie.
8. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pro Tips for Perfect Blossoms

Best Practices

• Use gel food coloring for vibrant red color without thinning your dough.
• Cream the butter and sugar well to create a light, soft cookie.
• Unwrap all your Hershey’s Kisses before you start baking so they’re ready to press in while the cookies are hot.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overbaking. The cookies may look slightly soft when you take them out but will firm up as they cool.
• Skipping the sanding sugar. It gives the cookies that festive, sparkly look and a slight crunch.

Make It Even Easier

• You can make the dough ahead and refrigerate it for up to 2 days.
• Freeze shaped dough balls (before coating in sugar) and bake directly from frozen, adding 1 extra minute.

How to Serve Them

Great with Drinks and Desserts

Serve these cookies with:

• A glass of cold milk or hot cocoa
• White chocolate mocha or peppermint coffee
• A scoop of vanilla ice cream for a cookie sundae

Beautiful Presentation Ideas

Stack them in a clear glass jar for gifting, or arrange on a white platter with green and white cookies for a Christmas theme. You can even mix and match Kiss varieties like peppermint or white chocolate swirl for extra flair.

Storage Tips

Keeping Them Fresh

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 1 week.

Best Way to Reheat

Microwave a cookie for 8 to 10 seconds to soften the center and gently melt the Kiss again. It’s almost like they just came out of the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fun Recipe Variations

Make It Holiday-Ready

Use green sanding sugar for Christmas or pastel pink for Valentine’s Day. You can even use black sugar for Halloween.

Gluten-Free Option

Swap all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

Vegan Version

Use vegan butter and a plant-based egg substitute like 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water. Replace the Kiss with vegan chocolate pieces.

More Cookie Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re in the mood to bake even more cookies, check out these fun and easy recipes:

• Easy Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies (with cake mix)
• 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
• Sugar-Free Pumpkin Cookies

These pair perfectly on a holiday cookie tray with your red velvet blossoms.

Try It and Share

These Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies are guaranteed to impress at your next holiday party or cookie exchange. They’re as delightful to look at as they are to eat, and so simple that anyone can make them with confidence.

If you bake them, I’d love to see how they turn out. Share your photos and tag me or pin this recipe on Pinterest at Bake with Lina on Pinterest. Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know how they turned out.

Happy baking!

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