Description
Fiesta Fudge Cookies are rich, chocolatey treats made with a buttery fudge base combined with sweetened condensed milk and sugar cookie mix, topped with a signature Hershey Hugs candy for a festive finish. These cookies are quick to prepare and perfect for holiday gatherings or any occasion needing a sweet, delightful indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Mixture
- 1/3 cup butter
- 6 oz unsweetened chocolate
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
Cookie Dough
- 1 lb 1.5 oz sugar cookie mix
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Topping
- 40 Hershey Hugs unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside to prepare the dough while the oven heats.
- Melt Butter and Chocolate: In a large microwavable bowl, microwave the butter and unsweetened chocolate for 1 minute. Stir well, then microwave an additional 1 minute until the butter is fully melted and the chocolate mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Stir the entire can of sweetened condensed milk into the melted chocolate and butter mixture until fully combined.
- Mix in Cookie Ingredients: Gradually stir in the sugar cookie mix and ground cinnamon into the chocolate mixture. Continue stirring until the dough is well blended and smooth.
- Portion the Dough: Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie. Place each dough ball about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow space for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 7 minutes or until the cookie edges lose their shiny appearance but do not overbake.
- Add Hershey Hugs Topping: Immediately upon removing the cookies from the oven, press one unwrapped Hershey Hugs candy into the center of each cookie with the pointed side facing up.
- Cool on Sheets: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. To help the candy spread slightly and meld with the cookie, gently tap the edges of each cookie.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack or plate to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Hershey’s Hugs are striped chocolates with a white creme layer hugged by milk chocolate, adding a decorative and flavorful touch.
- A 12 oz bag of Hershey’s Hugs contains approximately 70 candies, enough for about 40 cookies.
- Try variations by substituting Hershey’s Hot Cocoa Kisses, Peppermint Bark Bells, Mint Truffles, or Candy Cane Mint Chocolates for a seasonal or flavor twist.
- Store cookies covered at room temperature to maintain freshness for several days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
