Name: Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter softened; 1¼ cup white sugar divided; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ½ tsp peppermint extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ¼ tsp baking soda; ¼ tsp salt; 2 tsp milk; ½ cup crushed candy canes; 28 Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses

There’s something magical about that perfect blend of minty crunch and rich chocolate nestled in a cookie — that’s exactly why the Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe is such a standout for me during the holidays. These cookies have a delightful peppermint punch and a gooey chocolate center that makes every bite feel like a festive hug.

The image shows many round cookies on a metal cooling rack. Each cookie has two layers: the base layer is light beige with a slightly cracked and soft texture, speckled with tiny red bits inside the dough. The top layer is a round candy sitting right in the middle of the cookie, striped with red and white swirls, smooth and shiny. The cookies are closely placed next to each other, and a few wrapped candies with shiny red and silver wrappers are scattered among them. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe because it’s been my go-to festive treat for years. What I love most is how simple the ingredients are, yet the result feels so special and impressive. Plus, the peppermint and chocolate combo never fails to delight guests and family alike!

Perfect Peppermint Flavor: Crushed candy canes give each cookie a refreshing minty crunch that's subtle but unmistakable.
Classic Chocolate Center: The Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses melt just right on warm cookies, adding a luscious chocolatey surprise.
Easy to Make: The dough comes together quickly and benefits from a chilling time that fits well into holiday prep.
Great for Gifting: These cookies look festive and taste fabulous, perfect for cookie exchanges or gift tins.

A close-up view of a small round cookie with a light beige color and crumbly texture, held by a woman's hand at the bottom left. The cookie has small red bits mixed in the dough and a white and red striped chocolate drop placed upright in the center on top. The cookie is partly bitten, revealing a soft inside, and the background is filled with more similar cookies out of focus on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe plays a role in achieving that perfect texture and flavor balance. Here’s a closer look at why these specific ingredients create magic together—and a little tip to help when you’re shopping.

Flat lay of a half cup of unsalted butter softened in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of white granulated sugar, a single large brown egg with clean shell, a tiny white bowl with clear vanilla extract, a tiny white bowl with clear peppermint extract, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white bowl with baking soda, a small white bowl with salt, a small white bowl of milk, a small white bowl containing crushed red and white candy cane pieces, and a neat pile of red and white peppermint Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses chocolates, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted keeps sweetness in check and lets you control the saltiness perfectly.
White Sugar: Divided sugar adds sweetness and helps create a light, slightly crisp edge on the cookies.
Egg: Binds everything together and contributes to a tender crumb.
Vanilla Extract: A classic background flavor that rounds out the peppermint without overpowering.
Peppermint Extract: The key peppermint aroma and taste that make these cookies feel festive.
All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure while keeping the cookie soft.
Baking Soda: Creates just enough lift so the cookies don’t turn out too dense.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and highlights the peppermint and chocolate flavors.
Milk: Keeps the dough moist and easy to work with.
Crushed Candy Canes: Adds crunch and bursts of peppermint flavor throughout.
Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses: The star of the show — they melt into a soft chocolatey mint center after baking.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about the Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you like things a little more minty or want to try a different chocolate, you can tweak this recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Variation: I once swapped peppermint extract for orange zest for a fun twist that gave the cookies a citrusy brightness, and it was a real hit with friends looking for something different!
Dietary Tip: If you want to make these gluten-free, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and chill the dough slightly longer to help it hold together.
Chocolate Swap: Using white chocolate kisses instead of peppermint works beautifully for those who want a sweeter, subtler chocolate note.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar

I start by beating the softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of white sugar on medium-low speed until the mixture turns fluffy. This usually takes about 1 to 2 minutes, and it’s a crucial step because it traps air, making the cookies light and tender.

Step 2: Adding the Egg and Extracts

Next, I add in the egg along with vanilla and peppermint extracts, mixing for another minute. This is where the dough starts coming together and the delicious peppermint aroma fills the kitchen — I love this part!

Step 3: Combining the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these first prevents any clumps and ensures an even distribution in the dough.

Step 4: Gently Mixing the Dough

Now, I add the dry ingredients, milk, and crushed candy canes into the wet mixture and beat just until everything is incorporated — about 30 seconds. Overmixing here can toughen the dough, so I stop as soon as I see no streaks of flour.

Step 5: Scooping and Chilling

I scoop the dough with a tablespoon measure, then roll each scoop into a smooth ball. Next, I coat each ball in the remaining sugar — this gives the cookies a lovely sparkle and crunch. The big secret is chilling these dough balls in the fridge for 2 hours before baking; it helps keep their shape and intensifies the flavors.

Step 6: Baking and Adding the Kisses

Into a preheated 375°F oven they go for about 10 minutes — you’ll know they’re ready when the centers are just set but still soft. After cooling for 5 minutes, I press an unwrapped Hershey’s Candy Cane Kiss gently into the center of each warm cookie. The residual heat softens the chocolate just right.

Top Tip

From my many batches of this Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe, I’ve learned a few small but vital tricks that make a big difference when baking.

Chill Your Dough Thoroughly: The 2-hour rest in the fridge prevents spreading and helps preserve that charming cookie shape.
Don’t Overmix: When adding the flour, mix just until combined — overworking will make your cookies tough, and that’s not what you want here.
Use Fresh Candy Canes: Crushing fresh candy canes rather than old or soft ones makes the minty crunch pop in every bite.
Press Kisses When Cookies are Warm: This melts the chocolate nicely to create that signature soft center without flattening the cookie.

How to Serve Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple here — a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving adds a snowy effect and a touch of elegance. Sometimes, I sprinkle extra crushed candy canes on top for an extra festive crunch and pop of color.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with a hot cup of cocoa or peppermint mocha—such a cozy combo especially on a chilly evening. I’ve also served them alongside a cheese platter at holiday parties, balancing sweetness with savory flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I like arranging these cookies on a festive platter lined with parchment paper and garnished with holly sprigs or rosemary. Wrapping a few in cellophane tied with a red ribbon also makes a charming edible gift!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store any leftover Candy Cane Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep wonderfully soft and fresh for 5 to 7 days—perfect for nibbling through the week.

Freezing

Freezing this cookie dough before baking is a game-changer. I shape the dough balls, roll them in sugar, then freeze them on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake straight from frozen by adding a minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

To refresh the cookies after storage, I pop them in a warm oven (around 300°F) for 3 to 5 minutes. It softens the chocolate center and revives that fresh-baked warmth—trust me, it makes all the difference!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of chocolate kiss for the Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! While Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses offer that classic mint-chocolate combo, white chocolate or even regular milk chocolate kisses can be great substitutes if you prefer less peppermint flavor or want to experiment.

What’s the best way to crush candy canes without making a mess?

I find placing candy canes in a Ziplock bag and gently tapping with a rolling pin or meat mallet works wonders without scattering shards everywhere. Just be sure to crush them into small, uneven pieces to get that lovely texture in the cookies.

Can I skip chilling the dough for the Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe?

Technically, you can, but I don’t recommend it. Chilling the dough for 2 hours helps the cookies hold their shape and develop better flavor. Skipping this step might cause them to spread too much and bake unevenly.

How do I prevent my Candy Cane Kiss Cookies from becoming too hard?

To keep them soft, don’t overbake—remove them as soon as the centers are set but still tender. Also, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature and avoid refrigerating, which can dry them out. Reheating briefly before serving helps soften them back up.

Final Thoughts

This Candy Cane Kiss Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking lineup because it’s a perfect mixture of nostalgia and fresh holiday vibes. The first time I made these, the sound of cracking candy canes and the smell of peppermint chocolate instantly lifted everyone’s spirits. I’m confident you’ll enjoy baking and sharing these as much as I do — it’s a simple way to sprinkle a little magic into your festive memories!