These perfect Strawberry Kiss Cookies are the ultimate easy treat, ready in under 30 minutes of active time thanks to a simple cake mix shortcut. They have a pillowy, melt-in-your-mouth texture, a gorgeous pink color, and a classic chocolate kiss center that makes them completely irresistible. Whether you need an easy recipe for a school party or are looking for the perfect homemade Valentines Treats, this is the one you'll make again and again.
When I first set out to create the perfect strawberry cookie, my initial batches were a disaster. They spread too thin, the flavor was weak, and they were just… flat. It took me over nine tries, but I finally discovered the secret ingredient that changed everything: cream cheese. It gives the dough an incredible richness and a slight tang that perfectly balances the sweetness, ensuring they bake up thick and soft every single time.
Why This Recipe is a Must-Try
You are going to fall in love with these cookies, and here’s why:
- Incredibly Easy: Using a strawberry cake mix as the base means no measuring flour, sugar, or leavening agents. It’s a brilliant shortcut for foolproof results.
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: The combination of melted butter and softened cream cheese creates a cookie that is unbelievably tender and soft.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Their vibrant pink color makes them ideal for Valentine's Day, bake sales, baby showers, or just to brighten a regular Tuesday.
- A Tried-and-True Method: I’ve perfected this recipe so you don't have to. Follow these simple steps for guaranteed cookie success.
Just 5 Simple Ingredients
One of the best things about this recipe is the short and simple ingredient list. You likely have most of these on hand already!
- Strawberry Cake Mix: One standard 15.25 oz box is the key. It provides the flavor, color, and structure all in one.
- Butter: You'll need ½ cup (one stick) of butter, melted and slightly cooled. I let it cool for a few minutes so it doesn't scramble the egg.
- Large Egg: This acts as the binder for our delicious dough.
- Cream Cheese: The secret weapon! You'll need 4 oz of full-fat, brick-style cream cheese, softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free dough.
- Chocolate Kisses: About 30 unwrapped chocolate kisses are needed for that iconic center.
- Optional Coating: A little powdered sugar or pink sanding sugar gives the cookies a beautiful finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to make the best strawberry cookies of your life? Let's get baking!
### Make & Chill the Dough
- Combine Wet and Dry: In a large mixing bowl, combine the strawberry cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Mix with a spatula or electric mixer until a smooth dough forms.
- Add the Cream Cheese: Add the softened cream cheese and mix again until it's fully incorporated. The dough will be thick and smell like sweet strawberries.
- Chill Out: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step is non-negotiable! Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading into flat discs.
### Shape & Bake
- Prep Your Station: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Scoop and Roll: Use a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop to portion the chilled dough. Roll the dough between your palms to form 1-inch balls.
- Add a Sweet Coating (Optional): If you'd like, roll the dough balls in powdered sugar for a soft, matte finish or in pink sanding sugar for a festive sparkle.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes. The key is to look for edges that are set, but centers that still appear slightly soft and underbaked. Do not overbake them!
### Add the Chocolate Kiss
- The Perfect Timing: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for exactly 1-2 minutes. This is the sweet spot where they are firm enough to hold the chocolate but warm enough to melt it just slightly.
- Press the Kiss: Gently press one unwrapped chocolate kiss into the center of each warm cookie. You'll see beautiful cracks form around the chocolate—that’s the classic look we're going for!
- Cool Completely: Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. The chocolate will set as they cool.
Tips from My Kitchen for Perfect Cookies
- Don't Rush the Chill: If your kitchen is warm, the dough can soften quickly. For extra thick cookies, pop the rolled dough balls back into the fridge for 10 minutes before baking.
- Prevent Melted Kisses: If your chocolate kisses are melting and losing their shape, it means the cookies are too hot. Let the next batch rest on the pan for an extra minute before pressing in the chocolates.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough can be made and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This actually deepens the flavor!
The Perfect Valentines Treats for Parties & Bake Sales
These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are a guaranteed hit for any event. They are one of the most requested Valentines Treats for my kids' school parties because they are nut-free (check your cake mix label) and so visually appealing. For a bake sale, package 3-4 cookies in a clear cellophane bag tied with a festive ribbon. They sell out every single time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Strawberry Kiss Cookies spread so much?
Spreading is almost always caused by not chilling the dough long enough. Because this recipe uses melted butter and a soft cake mix base, a minimum of one hour in the fridge is essential to help the fats solidify. This keeps the cookies thick and chewy as they bake.
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of a cake mix?
This recipe is specifically designed for the convenience and structure of a cake mix. Fresh strawberries contain too much water, which would result in a very wet dough and flat cookies. The cake mix provides the perfect concentrated flavor and pillowy texture.
How do I store these cookies so they stay soft?
Thanks to the cream cheese, these cookies stay incredibly soft for days! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the baked cookies (without the chocolate kiss) for up to 3 months. Simply bake, cool, and freeze. When ready to serve, thaw and press a fresh kiss on top.
Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?
Absolutely! While strawberry is perfect for Valentine’s Day, this recipe works beautifully with other cake mixes. Try it with chocolate, red velvet, or lemon cake mix for a fun twist.
The Ultimate Strawberry Kiss Cookies: Soft, Chewy & Irresistibly Easy
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Cookies
- 1 box strawberry cake mix (15.25 oz)
- 8 tablespoons butter melted and slightly cooled (1/2 cup)
- 1 large egg
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 30 chocolate kisses unwrapped, such as Hershey's
- powdered sugar or pink granulated sugar for coating, optional
Instructions
- Combine the strawberry cake mix, melted butter, and large egg in a mixing bowl; stir until a smooth dough forms.
- Mix in the softened cream cheese until it is fully incorporated and the cookie dough becomes thick.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Scoop the chilled dough into tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into smooth, uniform balls.
- Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar or pink granulated sugar for a decorative coating, if desired, and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the cookie edges are set and the centers still appear soft and slightly underbaked.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 1-2 minutes before gently pressing a chocolate kiss into the center of each one.
- Transfer the finished Strawberry Kiss Cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before storing.
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire Rack
