Easy Hersheys Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies

The moment you bite into these Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies, your taste buds are greeted with a perfect balance of rich cocoa flavor and creamy chocolate kisses. These vibrant red treats combine the beloved classic red velvet cake flavor with the iconic Hershey’s chocolate kiss, creating an irresistible cookie that’s as stunning as it is delicious. Whether you’re preparing for a holiday gathering, Valentine’s Day celebration, or simply craving something sweet, these Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection. You’ll learn how to create perfectly soft-centered cookies with crackly tops and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate centers with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies stand out from ordinary cookies for countless reasons. First, their striking red color creates an instant visual impact that makes them perfect for holidays, special occasions, or whenever you want to impress guests. The texture contrast is truly remarkable – a slightly crisp exterior gives way to a tender, cake-like center, finished with the smooth melt of a Hershey’s kiss.

What makes this recipe particularly appealing is its simplicity. Using a boxed cake mix as the base means you can achieve bakery-quality results with minimal ingredients and effort. Even novice bakers can create professional-looking treats that taste homemade.

The flavor profile is equally impressive – subtle cocoa notes in the cookie complement the milk chocolate kiss without overwhelming it. Plus, these cookies maintain their soft texture for days, making them perfect for advance preparation. The combination of convenience, visual appeal, and delicious taste makes these red velvet blossoms a true triple threat in the cookie world.

Ingredients

For the Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies, you’ll need:

• 1 box (15.25 oz/432g) red velvet cake mix
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/3 cup (76g) vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (for rolling)
• 36-40 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped

The red velvet cake mix provides both the signature flavor and vibrant color, eliminating the need for measuring multiple dry ingredients or adding food coloring. Room temperature eggs incorporate more easily into the dough, creating a better texture. The Hershey’s Kisses should be unwrapped before baking begins and kept chilled until needed – this helps them maintain their shape when pressed into the warm cookies. For a more pronounced cocoa flavor, choose a high-quality red velvet mix with real cocoa powder listed in the ingredients.

Pro Tips

Perfect Your Timing: The most crucial element for Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies is the chocolate kiss placement. Remove cookies from the oven when they’re just set but still slightly underbaked (around 8-9 minutes). Press the kisses immediately into the center while cookies are hot – this allows them to adhere properly without melting completely. If cookies cool even slightly before adding kisses, they may crack too much or the kisses won’t stick.

Master the Texture: For the ideal cookie consistency, chill your dough for 30 minutes before rolling and baking. This prevents excessive spreading and helps maintain the classic blossom shape. If the dough feels too sticky when rolling into balls, lightly dust your hands with powdered sugar rather than flour to prevent altering the cookie’s color or flavor.

Enhance the Flavor Profile: Boost the red velvet flavor by adding 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your dough – this subtle acidic note enhances the cocoa flavor without being detectable. For special occasions, try using specialty Hershey’s Kisses varieties like dark chocolate or caramel-filled for exciting flavor combinations that complement the red velvet base.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the red velvet cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and a soft dough forms. The consistency should be slightly sticky but still manageable. If the dough seems too wet, refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to firm up.

Step 2: Shape the Cookies

Place the granulated sugar in a small bowl. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball between your palms until smooth, then coat thoroughly in the granulated sugar. This creates a beautiful sparkle and slight crunch on the finished cookies. Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. Don’t overbake – these Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies should maintain their soft texture. While the cookies are baking, unwrap all your Hershey’s Kisses and keep them nearby.

Step 4: Add the Chocolate Kiss

As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. Apply gentle, even pressure to create a slight crater without pushing all the way through. The heat from the cookies will secure the chocolate without melting it completely. If you notice the kisses starting to melt too quickly, you can place the entire cookie sheet in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.

Step 5: Cool and Set

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This gradual cooling process helps the cookies maintain their shape and allows the chocolate kisses to set properly. Once fully cooled, your Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies are ready to serve or store.

Variations

White Chocolate Red Velvet Blossoms: For a striking color contrast, use Hershey’s Hugs or white chocolate kisses instead of traditional milk chocolate ones. The white and red combination looks particularly festive for Christmas or Valentine’s Day. The creamy white chocolate complements the subtle cocoa notes in the red velvet cookie perfectly.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Red Velvet Blossoms: Create an indulgent twist by incorporating cream cheese into these Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies. Before baking, press a small cube of chilled cream cheese (about 1/2 teaspoon) into the center of each dough ball, then reshape around it. After baking, press the Hershey’s Kiss on top as usual. This creates a surprise cream cheese filling that enhances the authentic red velvet flavor profile.

Gluten-Free Option: For those with dietary restrictions, use a gluten-free red velvet cake mix as the base. Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to help with binding and texture. The cookies may spread slightly less than the original version, but they’ll maintain the same delicious flavor and appearance with the chocolate kiss center.

Storage and Serving

These Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies stay fresh when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and protect the chocolate kisses. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour before serving.

For an elevated dessert experience, serve these cookies slightly warmed (10 seconds in the microwave) alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream – the contrast of warm cookie and cold ice cream creates a delightful sensory experience. They also pair perfectly with a glass of cold milk, hot chocolate, or coffee for an afternoon treat. For special occasions, arrange the Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies on a tiered serving platter, alternating with classic chocolate chip cookies for a visually striking presentation.

FAQs

Why did my Hershey’s Kisses melt too much?
If your kisses are melting excessively, your cookies might be too hot. Let the cookies cool for 1-2 minutes after removing from the oven before adding the kisses, or refrigerate your kisses for 30 minutes before using them.

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes! The dough for Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and baking.

How do I get the perfect red color?
The cake mix typically provides sufficient color, but for an even more vibrant red, add 1-2 teaspoons of red food coloring to the dough. Gel food coloring works best without affecting the texture.

Can I use other flavors of cake mix?
Absolutely! While traditional red velvet creates the classic Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies, you can experiment with chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry cake mixes for different flavors and colors.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?
If your cookies spread excessively, try chilling the dough for 30-60 minutes before baking. Also, check that your oven temperature is accurate, as an overly hot oven can cause rapid spreading before the structure sets.

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