Red and white sugar and a candy kiss give these Chocolate Candy Cane Kiss Cookies a festive holiday look. These sparkly chocolate kiss cookies will be the first treat to disappear off your holiday cookie tray this year.
I don't know about you, but I just love this time of year. I think it has something to do with all the cookies and fudge and candy that is always sure to be anywhere we go.
Yes, my sweet tooth gets a workout more than normal during the holidays. Thank goodness for weight and cardio workouts to keep me in check.
One thing that is an absolute must during the holidays is a cookie baking marathon. Just make sure you do NOT wrap your cookies in ziplock bags or saran wrap and put them on a tray INSIDE the oven.
Yes, that happened to us one year. We spent all day making peppermint snowball cookies, peppermint Oreo cookies, peppermint Oreo bark, plus a few other cookies.
We had to be somewhere later in the afternoon, so I bagged up the cooled cookies in a few Ziplock bags and left a few that were still cooling on the cookie sheets. I then proceeded to place all of the above items inside the oven.
You see, we had a dog who liked to steal goodies, so I thought I was being smart by hiding the trays and bags from her.
It turns out I'm not as smart as I think because we got home, and I decided to make a batch of peppermint brownie truffles that night. I turned the oven on and started to work on the cookie dough.
In a few minutes the smell of burning plastic had me running to the oven in a hurry and then a lot of crying may have happened.
Ever since then I have been a compulsive oven checker. I turn the oven on and open the door every.single.time now!!!
Ingredients Needed
Most of these ingredients are probably already in your pantry or fridge. So, just run out and buy a bag or two of the kisses and some colored sugars, so you can get baking.
- Butter - Set it out ahead of time, so it is easier to mix the cookie dough.
- Sugar - A mixture of granulated sugar and brown sugar sweetens the dough.
- Egg & Greek Yogurt - Adds moisture and binds the ingredients together.
- Baking Soda - Provides the lift as the cookies bake.
- Cocoa Powder - I like to use Hershey's dark cocoa powder to give these cookies a dark look.
- Flour - Thickens the dough. See how to measure flour correctly, so your cookies turn out right every time.
- Toppings - red and white sanding sugars and Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses give the kiss cookies a pretty holiday look.
How to Make Chocolate Kiss Cookies
Make Cookie Dough
Beat the butter and sugars until the mixture is creamy. Add the egg and yogurt and mix it again.
Stir together the flour, baking soda, and cocoa powder. Slowly beat this into the butter mixture.
Scoop out 36 dough balls. Roll each one into a round shape. The dough is very sticky, so you will need to spray your hands with nonstick baking spray to keep it from sticking to you while you roll the dough.
Bake & Decorate Cookies
Roll each dough ball in the sanding sugars and place on a baking sheet and bake. Remove and let the cookies cool on the tray for a few minutes.
Transfer the cookies to a sheet of parchment on your counter and top each one with an unwrapped candy cane kiss. The heat from the cookies will cause the kisses to "melt" and get soft.
Do not move the cookies until everything has cooled and the kiss has set back up again.
How to Store
Keep the cooled cookies in a tightly sealed container on the counter for 3-4 days. The chocolate kiss cookies can also be frozen in a freezer safe bag or container for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight on the counter.
More Easy Holiday Cookies
- Mint Truffle Kiss Cookies
- Shortbread Bar Cookies
- Peppermint Crunch Chocolate Cookies
- Peppermint Mocha Cookies
- Mint Chocolate Pudding Cookies
- Molasses Crackle Cookies
- Peppermint Meltaways
- Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life?
Please consider leaving a 5 star ⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further below.
Chocolate Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe
These Chocolate Candy Cane Kiss Cookies are rolled in red and white sugar and then topped with a candy kiss. They will be one of the first cookies to disappear off your holiday cookie tray.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup plain greek yogurt
- ⅔ cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ cups flour
- coarse red and white sanding sugar
- 36 Candy Cane Kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the yogurt and egg and beat again.
- Stir together the cocoa powder, baking soda, and flour. Slowly beat into the butter mixture.
- Roll the dough into 36 balls and roll in the red and white sugar. The cookie dough will be very sticky. Place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 1-2 minutes. Remove to a sheet of wax paper on the counter.
- Press a kiss into the top of each cookie. Do not move the cookies until they are completely cool and the kiss has set back up. Store in a sealed container.
*The post and recipe for these Chocolate Candy Cane Kiss Cookies was originally published on December 2, 2013. The pictures and post have been updated, and it has been republished on December 4, 2018.
Barb
I just made these and LOVE them!! They definitely are sticky to work with but the outcome was so worth it. They are so pretty with the sparkling sugars I used. I had no trouble with my kisses melting. I unwrapped them and put them in the fridge the night before. I followed your directions of letting them cool for one or two minutes on the cookie sheet, then putting them on the waxed paper on my counter. I took the kisses out of the fridge and there was no melting at all. They look beautiful and are so tasty! Thank you for the great recipe! Merry Christmas!
Patti
Well, I followed this recipe exactly, including the timing on when to put the kisses on, etc. The kisses totally melted down into the cookie. They taste great, but they sure look funny and not nearly as nice as yours. Oh well. Thank you for the nice recipe!
Jocelyn
Oh, no!!! I know that if you freeze the kisses that can help them keep their shape. I don't usually freeze these ones though. I'm glad they taste good though!!! Merry Christmas!!
Susan
So very disappointed in this recipe! Ridiculously sweet...overly chewy texture. Components are tasty but the candy completely overwhelms the cocoa flavor. And while the sanding sugar adds to the appearance it just adds more sickening sweetness. The grandkids will eat them but I won’t make again.
Jocelyn
I am so sorry to hear you didn't care for these cookies. They have been made multiple times in our house, and I have taken them to parties over the years where they get rave reviews. I test and try each recipe to make sure it is approved before sharing online. That being said, everyone does have very different tastes, and if you are not used to eating a lot of sugar, then they will be sweet to you.
Bianca
Can I leave out the red and white sugars., and just roll them plain.
Jocelyn
You can roll them in regular sugar, but the red and white is so much prettier. 😉
Jackie
Can I use regular yogurt or does it have to be Greek yogurt?
Jocelyn
The Greek yogurt is better because it is thicker. You can also use sour cream if you have that on hand.
Jo Ann B
I used the sour cream and frankly prefer it. The cookies came out perfectly.
Mallory Lanz
Chocolate peppermint flavored cookies are my favorite!
Jennifer
I made these cookies for a holiday party and everyone LOVED them!!!
Lauren
The more sparkles, the better! These are so much fun!
Jamielyn
Adding these to my cookie plate this year! Yum!
Kristyn
Everything about these cookies screams delicious, festive, & cute! Chocolate & peppermint is the best combination!
Peggyvball
I'm a rookie baker. I've made the dough and now I have sticky dough - as you said it would be. I'm not sure how to roll these into a ball. Should I have flour and roll them in flour? No, I just rolled them without anything! 🙂 I didn't have time to get the special sugar but I used regular sprinkles and they came out wonderful!!! Thank you sooo much for this wonderful recipe - they look and taste great!
Jocelyn
Haha! Yes, this dough is very sticky. I'm glad you saw my comment about it and didn't roll them in extra flour. The sugar on them is all they need!
Sarah
I was really excited to make these but I only have unsweetened Hersey's chocolate will that work?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Do you mean for the cocoa powder? This particular recipe needs cocoa powder. If you add any more liquid ingredients it will be too runny.
sarah
Yes, sorry! I meant unsweetened cocoa powder. Wasn't sure if I'd need to add more sugar since it's unsweetened
Jocelyn Brubaker
That is exactly what you need 🙂 No extra sugar needed. I did use the dark cocoa powder, so if you use regular they won't be quite as dark. But they will still taste absolutely delicious!
sarah
Great! Thank you! And thanks for your quick responses!!! Can't wait to get home to bake 🙂
Melissa
So, I forgot to buy Greek yogurt. Any ideas on a substitution??
Jocelyn Brubaker
Sour cream would work too if you have that. I hope you are able to make these...they were so good!
Kristen Duke
I love the candy cane kisses and these cookies look so fun with the red and white sugar!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Kristen!!!
Alice
I been following your blog for a while now, and I really wanted to try these to give away as Christmas presents. However, I've never had much luck baking cookies, but I thought I'd give it a shot. They turned out great - just like your pictures! They taste great too. I did add an extra step to your instructions. After I rolled them in sugar, I froze them for 20 minutes to keep them from spreading too thin, which worked perfectly. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I am so excited to hear that you tried these cookies! And I am even more excited to hear yours turned out like the picture 🙂 The freezer tip does work great for keeping cookies from spreading thin, although I have never had these go too thin yet.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
Oh I have had my fair share of ruined cookies! I sure would be extra sad if these cuties got messed up. They are adorable!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Katrina!!! Thank goodness this happened years ago when I just made plain cookies and plain chocolate covered pretzels...I would die if it happened now with as much time as I spend on my baking!
Renee @ Awesome on $20
These cookies are so cute. Normally, I'm not a Hersey's Kiss fan, but the candy cane ones are irresistible. I'd love to try these cookies.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Not a Kiss fan? Hhhhmmm I'm not sure about that...you redeemed yourself by adding that you liked the candy cane ones 😉 I hope you give these cookies a try for sure!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
The peppermint kisses are my favorite! I love how you rolled these in the red and green sugar - so pretty and sparkly!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Ashley! Those are one of my fav kisses too!!!
Cheryl Pottorf
I Love the kisses also. Is there a substitute for the yogurt?
Jocelyn
Sour cream can also be used for the yogurt. I hope you enjoy the cookies!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
What a fun kiss cookie! I love the colored sugar!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Julianne!
Chels R.
OMG-I love how they sparkle!!! So cute, my kids are going to flip out for them.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Chels! The shimmer is what makes me smile the most on these cookies...that and the kiss!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg
You got me with the peppermint. My favorite. Pinning!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Glad I could reel you in with the peppermint 🙂 thank you for the pin love!
Kelly @ old blue silo
Ugh! I hate it when I leave something the oven and forget about it 🙁
A month or so ago, I had a few loaves of bread rising with plastic wrap over them and I forgot to take the wrap off before I put them in the oven!! I was so depressed because I don't make bread very often and I needed it for a blog post.
P.S. Back to the cookies.. they look amazing! I am sure they taste as good as they look 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Oh no!!! That is so sad about the bread...especially maddening when you need it for something too!
Jenn@eatcakefordinner
Candy Cane Kisses are the BEST EVER. Thanks for reminding me I need to get some. I love your paper lined napkin 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
And you are reminding me that I need to stock up before this month is over. The paper lined napkin was from the Dollar Spot at Target when school started...I kind of love them 🙂
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain
You're right - I could use a LOT of chocolate to get me through this Monday! teehee. I could easily eat half a dozen of these right now, Jocelyn. They taste even better when they're festive I bet. 😉
Jocelyn Brubaker
Chocolate always makes any day that much better! And yes, pretty cookies just seem to taste better too!!!
Stephanie @ PlainChicken
Love how the sugar looks on the chocolate cookies. Must give these a try!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Stephanie. I was so excited when they came out of the oven and you could still see the sugar!!!
Mary
these look so pretty! what a lovely holiday treat
Mary x
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Mary!
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen
Oh NO!! I cringed when you told that story. All that hard work gone to waste! But I love these cookies! A nice festive and minty twist on peanut butter blossoms. Very pretty!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Renee. It was definitely not a good day! But fun sprinkly cookies now make up for the pain of past years.
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar
What a bummer to lose that hard work! These cookies look so tasty and festive though - yum! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Lindsay! Nothing like doing something twice because I had a dumb moment. At least I learned to never store things in the oven.
Ashley | CenterCutCook
Oh my gosh, I can only imagine how awful that was! Not only the lost treats but the smell!! These cookies are so cute and festive!
Jocelyn Brubaker
The smell, the horrible feeling in my stomach...it was not a good day at all!
Beth @ bethcakes
Really loving all those chocolaty desserts! Your cookies are so cute and I want to eat all of them. 🙂 I love that you roll the cookies in red and white sanding sugar. Adds a little more color with that candy cane kiss! Those are definitely one of my favorite holiday candies to bake with.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Beth. I really did want to eat every cookie...it was a good idea to take them to a dinner we had.
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
Oh no!! I can only imagine that sick feeling knowing all that hard work was ruined. Boo.
These cookies are so fun and festive! LOVE the sugar sprinkles!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks. It was definitely a sad moment!!! I may have even cried!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
Love these cute kiss cookies! They are so perfect for cookie swap and holiday events. Pinned to my cookies board!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much for the sweet comment and the pin love!!!
Katie Farmer @ThePrettyPartyShoppe
I love peppermint, and I love those Hershey Kisses! I may have to make these for my cookie exchange next week. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, make them for every cookie exchange and let me know how you like them!
Katie Farmer @ThePrettyPartyShoppe
Ok, so I made them tonight and they are delicious! I just posted them on my FB page (TPPS page) and tagged you. I was not sure how big to make the balls *snicker*. Mine were definitely a little too big and I had to cook them 2 more minutes. I only got 28 out. These will be part of my teacher gifts! Two more cookies to make tomorrow. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
I am glad you like the cookies! I roll the dough into 36 balls before I even bake any...that way I know they are pretty much the same size.
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent
Love how you rolled them in the red and white sugar! So cute with the kiss on top. I have the same dog issue so I hide stuff in the microwave... its a good trick because you dont have to preheat it... but sometimes it isnt large enough. So they go on top of the toaster. The toaster height gives enough she cant get to them I guess.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I do the same thing too. And on top of the refrigerator...never in the oven anymore 😉
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
This is so fun! All of these desserts look amazing! I was obsessed with these hershey kisses last year and can not wait to start baking with them again this year! Your cookies look amazing!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Nancy! These are such good Hershey kisses...I should stock up for all year!
Shaina
Those Candy Cane Hershey Kisses are SO good!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I agree 100%!
Courtney M
How cool, my mom & I had this same idea 🙂 Everybody makes the standard peanut blossoms, so we figured chocolate cookies with candy cane kisses would be an awesome combo. The only drawback is having to give the cookies away....maybe we'll get gifted with some ourselves this year LOL
Jocelyn Brubaker
The chocolate cookies do look so fun with the candy cane kisses. I'm glad you guys had the same thought! I don't like giving cookies away either, but my hips and thighs thank me that I do 🙂
Joan@Chocolate and More
Jocelyn, I feel your pain with the burning plastic wrap in the oven but I can do you one better. How about a plastic serving tray? So glad my oven came with 3 racks! Even though I scrubbed that sucker clean for hours, I still swear I can smell the plastic any time I have to use that extra rack!
Your cookies look amazing. I'm in love with those peppermint Kisses, I think I ate a whole bag by my self. And I love how your sugar shows up on your chocolate cookie, so festive!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Oh, girl. That's bad! Thank goodness for extra baking racks! And those candy cane kisses are very dangerous to have around 🙂
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Oh no! My kitchen blunder that has scarred me was putting foil in the microwave. I do not recommend. 🙂 I am loving the texture on these cookies! What a fun twist on kiss cookies! Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Mary! Yeah, foil in the microwave is bad too! I accidentally put a bowl that had a metal ring on it in the microwave too. Not good!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
Yay for cookie bake dates! I feel you on the oven debacle...I once left dough to rise in a plastic bowl in the oven, then decided to preheat the oven and...you know where this is going. I love the crunchy sugar on the outside with the sweet mint on the inside. So fun!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Oh no! That's bad. I'm glad my treats weren't on a plastic tray too! Eeeiiikk! I can still smell that terribleness!
Taylor @ FoodFaithFitness
So, I just found your blog and I am so happy that I did! These cookies have everything good in the world, all in one bite. And, they are just so bea-yoo-tiful! They are almost too pretty to eat. But, only almost. Yum!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Taylor. And I am so excited you "found' me too! I can't wait to check out your blog.
Kelly
Yikes, sorry to hear about the burnt saran wrapped cookies. I have left baked cookies that I forgot about in the oven before too but they weren't wrapped yet. They still ended up burning though and had to be tossed away hehe.
These cookies look incredible Jocelyn! These are one of my favorite holiday cookies - I love stocking up on these Peppermint Hershey Kisses 🙂 Love how pretty these cookies look with the colored sanding sugar 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
I'm glad I'm not the only one that forgets about storing things in the oven! Stocking up on holiday Hershey kisses sounds like a good idea.
Tanya
Where do i find the sanding sugar? Been to 3 stores with no luck. Any suggestions?
Jocelyn Brubaker
I bought it at Walmart in the season holiday baking aisle. I have seen it at Michaels and Hobby Lobby too. It is just a coarser sugar than table sugar.
Linda
Amazon has sugars and kisses