Blossom cookies have been a favorite in American homes for decades, especially around Valentine’s Day and Christmas. This version keeps the familiar soft cookie texture but adds the rich cocoa flavor and velvety red color that makes red velvet desserts so unmistakable. Because the dough mixes quickly and holds its shape well, beginners can make these cookies with confidence. The final touch—a chocolate kiss pressed into the warm cookie—adds that nostalgic charm people love.
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Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies
Description
Soft, chewy red velvet cookies topped with Hershey’s chocolate kisses. Perfect for holidays, Valentine’s Day, parties, or cozy treats at home.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour – 1 1/2 cups
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – 2 tbsp
- Baking soda – 1 tsp
- Salt – 1/4 tsp
- Unsalted butter, softened – 1/2 cup (1 stick)
- Granulated sugar – 1 cup
- Egg – 1 large
- Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
- Red food coloring – 1 tbsp
- Hershey’s Kisses – 24 pieces
- Powdered sugar – 1/2 cup (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in egg, vanilla, and red food coloring.
- Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt separately. Gradually combine with wet ingredients. Chill dough 20 minutes.
- Shape dough into balls, roll in powdered sugar, and place on baking sheet.
- Bake 10–12 minutes until tops crack slightly. Immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into each cookie.
- Cool on baking sheet a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Dough and baked cookies can be frozen for future use. Use different chocolate kiss flavors for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
Table of Contents
Why Red Velvet Works Perfectly with Hershey’s Chocolate
Red velvet already carries a gentle cocoa base, so pairing it with a milk chocolate center brings a natural balance of sweetness and flavor. The softness of the cookie and the creamy chocolate melt together just enough to create a bite that feels warm, comforting, and a little fancy. This is also why these cookies rank so well in searches—people adore easy holiday cookies with a beautiful appearance and a familiar flavor they can rely on.
Ingredients for Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies
Simple Ingredients for Beginner-Friendly Baking
| Category | Ingredient | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Ingredients | All-purpose flour | 1 1/2 cups |
| Unsweetened cocoa powder | 2 tablespoons | |
| Baking soda | 1 teaspoon | |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon | |
| Wet Ingredients | Unsalted butter, softened | 1/2 cup (1 stick) |
| Granulated sugar | 1 cup | |
| Egg | 1 large | |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | |
| Red food coloring | 1 tablespoon | |
| Additional Ingredients | Hershey’s Kisses (milk chocolate or similar) | 24 pieces |
| Powdered sugar (for rolling) | 1/2 cup |
How to Make Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies
Mixing the Red Velvet Cookie Dough
To start, place the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Cream them together until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step helps your cookies stay soft, so take a moment to mix it well. After that, add the egg, vanilla extract, and red food coloring. Because the liquid coloring blends evenly at this stage, you’ll get that deep red velvet shade without streaks.
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Once the dry ingredients look blended, slowly add them to the wet mixture. Stir until the dough comes together. It should be soft but not sticky. If it feels sticky, a tiny spoonful of flour helps bring it back together. Cover the bowl and chill the dough for about 20 minutes so it firms up enough to roll.
Shaping, Rolling, and Baking the Cookies
After the dough chills, scoop small portions and roll them into smooth balls. Keep each one close in size so they bake evenly. Roll each ball gently in powdered sugar before placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment. The sugar coating not only adds sweetness but also gives the cookies their crinkle-like look as they bake.
Bake the cookies until they rise and the tops crack slightly. Right after taking them out of the oven, press a chocolate kiss into the center of each warm cookie. The chocolate softens just enough to sit neatly without melting everywhere. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a rack. Once cooled, they hold their shape with that perfect chocolate center.
Tips for Perfect Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies
How to Get the Perfect Red Velvet Texture
Because red velvet cookies should stay soft and slightly chewy, paying attention to a few small details makes a big difference. First, make sure your butter is softened—not melted. Softened butter mixes smoothly with sugar and gives the cookies their tender texture. Also, measure the flour carefully. Adding too much flour can make the dough dense, while too little can cause the cookies to spread too much. Chilling the dough helps it firm up, which keeps the cookies thick and helps the powdered sugar stick better. With these simple steps in place, your cookies stay light while still holding their shape.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Center
If you want the Hershey’s kisses to keep their shape, press them into the cookies right after baking while the cookies are warm but not too soft. The heat lets the chocolate settle without melting into a puddle. Because the chocolate will firm back up as the cookies cool, let them rest on the baking sheet for a minute or two before moving them to a rack. This short cooling time keeps the chocolate centered and helps the cookies set properly. Small details like these make each cookie look polished and bakery-ready.
Looking for a savory balance? Try our Pink Lemonade Thumbprint Cookies for an easy family-friendly meal.
Serving Ideas for Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies
Perfect for Holidays, Parties, and Everyday Treats
Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies shine at just about any gathering because they look festive without requiring hours of baking. They fit beautifully on a Valentine’s Day dessert plate, but they’re just as welcome at Christmas cookie exchanges or weekend movie nights. Since they stay soft even after cooling, you can serve them on a platter, pack them in a tin, or bring them to school events without worrying about crumbling. Their bright red color and chocolate center add a cheerful touch that people notice right away.
Pairing These Cookies with Simple Drinks
Because the cookies are sweet and soft, they pair so well with cozy drinks. A cold glass of milk keeps things classic, while hot chocolate or warm herbal tea makes them feel extra comforting during cooler months. If you want a refreshing option, iced tea with lemon or a berry spritzer offers a bright contrast to the rich cocoa flavor. These easy pairing ideas help round out the dessert table without adding extra work.
Try our Valentine Strawberry Cookies for more quick recipe ideas.
FAQs About Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies
Can I use homemade red velvet cookie dough instead of a cake mix?
Yes, you can use a homemade dough, but the texture may come out slightly thicker or less chewy. Cake mix versions tend to bake faster and stay soft, while homemade recipes usually taste a bit richer. Both options work as long as the dough is chilled before rolling.
Can I use different flavors of Hershey’s Kisses?
Absolutely. Dark chocolate, white chocolate, and even cookies-and-cream flavors all pair well with red velvet. Choose the flavor that fits your taste or the occasion.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the cookies stay soft for up to five days. They can also be frozen for longer storage.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes. Shape the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to two months. Roll in powdered sugar right before baking.
Do I need to line the baking sheet with parchment paper?
You don’t have to, but it helps the cookies bake evenly and keeps the bottoms from browning too quickly. It also makes cleanup easier.
Conclusion
Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies capture everything people love about homemade baking: simple steps, rich flavor, and a charming presentation that never fails to bring a smile. With their soft red velvet base and classic chocolate center, these cookies feel special enough for holidays but easy enough for any day of the week. Because the dough comes together quickly and uses familiar pantry ingredients, even beginners can bake a batch with confidence. They store well, freeze well, and always stand out on a dessert table, making them a go-to recipe for family gatherings, parties, or cozy weekends at home. Whether you stick with the classic version or try a fun variation, these blossoms deliver warmth and comfort in every bite. Give them a try and enjoy a sweet treat that’s sure to become a yearly favorite.