Hershey's Red Velvet Blossoms

These soft, festive red velvet cookies topped with a classic Hershey's Kiss have become my go-to recipe whenever I need a show-stopping treat that's surprisingly simple to make. With their vibrant color and perfect balance of chocolate and vanilla flavors, they're guaranteed to be the star of any cookie platter.

I first made these for a Valentine's Day party and watched them disappear within minutes. The combination of the tender red velvet cookie with the creamy chocolate kiss creates such a delightful texture contrast that I now keep Hershey's Kisses on hand year-round just for this recipe.

Ingredients

• Butter softened to room temperature for proper creaming and tender texture
• Brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel note that complements the cocoa
• Granulated sugar provides structure and the perfect level of sweetness
• Vanilla extract enhances the flavor profile and balances the cocoa
• Egg yolk creates richness and helps bind the dough
• Red gel food coloring delivers vibrant color without altering texture
• All-purpose flour forms the structure of the cookies
• Cocoa powder provides the classic red velvet chocolate undertone
• Baking powder ensures a slight rise for soft texture
• Salt balances the sweetness and enhances all flavors
• Red sanding sugar adds festive sparkle and subtle crunch
• Hershey's milk chocolate kisses create the signature look and chocolate center

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This temperature creates the perfect environment for even baking while the parchment prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.

Create the Base

Cream together softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This crucial step incorporates air into the dough for a softer texture.

Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and red food coloring until fully incorporated and vibrantly colored. The gel coloring should be thoroughly distributed with no streaks remaining.

Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents throughout the dough.

Form the Dough

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix just until combined. Overmixing will develop gluten and result in tough cookies, so stop as soon as no dry flour remains visible.

Shape and Coat

Scoop the dough into 18 equal portions using a tablespoon measure, roll into smooth balls between your palms, then roll each ball in red sanding sugar until fully coated for that festive sparkle.

Bake to Perfection

Arrange the cookie balls on your prepared baking sheet with about 2 inches between each and bake for exactly 10 minutes. The edges should be set but the centers will still appear slightly soft.

Add the Kiss

Working quickly, press a Hershey's Kiss into the center of each hot cookie immediately after removing from the oven. The residual heat will secure the chocolate without melting it completely.

Cool Properly

Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This two-stage cooling prevents breaking while ensuring they set completely.

Bookmark

The first time I made these cookies, I discovered that using a light-colored baking sheet produced the best results. My husband, who typically avoids sweets, ate four in one sitting and declared them his favorite holiday cookie ever. The slight tang from the red velvet paired with the smooth chocolate kiss creates such a memorable flavor combination.

Perfect Storage Methods

These red velvet blossoms maintain their soft texture and vibrant color when stored properly. Place them in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent the kisses from sticking to other cookies. At room temperature, they stay fresh for 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week, though the texture becomes slightly firmer when chilled. Allow refrigerated cookies to come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving for the best taste and texture experience.

Creative Variations

While traditional milk chocolate kisses create the classic blossom cookie experience, this recipe opens up wonderful opportunities for customization. Try dark chocolate kisses for a more intense chocolate contrast, caramel-filled kisses for a gooey surprise center, or white chocolate hugs for a striking visual appeal against the red cookie. During holidays, peppermint kisses make these perfect for Christmas platters, while almond kisses create a sophisticated flavor profile for special occasions. Whatever variety you choose, unwrap all kisses before baking begins so you can quickly press them into the hot cookies.

Serving Suggestions

These red velvet blossoms elevate any dessert display with their festive appearance. For holiday gatherings, arrange them on a tiered serving platter surrounded by traditional cookies for a beautiful centerpiece. At Valentine's Day, package pairs of cookies in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for heartfelt homemade gifts. For an elegant dessert option, serve slightly warmed cookies alongside vanilla bean ice cream where the still-soft chocolate kiss creates a delightful melted chocolate experience. These cookies also complement coffee service beautifully, especially when paired with a light roast that won't overpower their delicate flavor.

The Science Behind Red Velvet

The signature red velvet color historically came from a chemical reaction between cocoa powder and acidic ingredients like buttermilk or vinegar. Modern red velvet recipes rely primarily on food coloring, but the small amount of cocoa powder in these cookies is essential for authentic flavor. The traditional undertone of chocolate without overwhelming chocolatiness comes from this careful balance. Using Dutch-processed cocoa will result in a deeper color while natural cocoa produces brighter red cookies. Either works beautifully in this recipe, allowing you to adjust based on your color preference or what you have available in your pantry.

Your Questions Answered About This Recipe

→ Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate it tightly wrapped. Alternatively, roll the dough balls and freeze them for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, roll frozen balls in sanding sugar and add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

→ Why do you press the Hershey's Kisses immediately after baking?

Pressing the chocolate kisses into the cookies while they're still hot ensures the chocolate slightly melts at the base, helping it adhere to the cookie. If you wait until the cookies cool, the kisses may not stick properly and could fall off.

→ What makes these cookies red velvet?

The red velvet flavor comes from the combination of cocoa powder and red food coloring, which gives the cookies both their distinctive color and subtle chocolate flavor. Traditional red velvet includes a hint of cocoa rather than an intense chocolate taste.

→ Can I substitute the red sanding sugar?

Absolutely! You can use regular granulated sugar, colored sanding sugar in different shades for various holidays, or even roll the cookies in powdered sugar for a different look. For Christmas, try alternating red and green sanding sugar.

→ What other Hershey's Kiss varieties work well with these cookies?

These cookies are versatile and pair beautifully with many Kiss varieties. Try dark chocolate, white chocolate, caramel-filled, or seasonal flavors like peppermint during holidays. For Valentine's Day, the strawberry cream Kisses create a lovely complement to the red velvet flavor.

→ How do I achieve the perfect soft texture?

For soft cookies, be careful not to overbake. Remove them from the oven when the edges are just set but the centers still look slightly underdone. They'll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet. The brown sugar and egg yolk also contribute to their soft, chewy texture.