Name: Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 52 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounce bag Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix; 4 ounce cream cheese, softened (½ 8-ounce package); 1 large egg; ½ cup pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils; 18 Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses, unwrapped

Get ready to fall in love with the sweet and colorful charm of this Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe. These soft funfetti sugar cookies are not your average cookie—they’re enriched with cream cheese and crowned with iconic Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses for that perfect fruity finish.

A white plate with a pink woven pattern holds several small round cookies. Each cookie has two layers: a base layer in light beige or white with some showing tiny colored sprinkles, and a top layer of pink dollop cream with a smooth texture. Some cookies have their edges covered in red, pink, and white small round sprinkles giving a bright colorful border. The cookies are arranged closely on the plate, which sits on a white marbled surface. In the background, more cookies with the same colors are visible. 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 Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I baked these Strawberry Kiss Cookies—it was like a celebration in my kitchen! They’re fun, festive, and bring a smile with every bite. Honestly, they’re the perfect treat to brighten any day or holiday gathering.

Soft & Tender Texture: The cream cheese gives these funfetti sugar cookies a moist, melt-in-your-mouth feel you’ll crave.
Beautiful Presentation: Rolling the dough balls in pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils adds a festive sparkle.
Iconic Topping: Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses aren't just cute—they add a delicious fruity punch on top.
Simple & Quick: With just a handful of ingredients and about an hour total (including chill time), these are easy enough for a last-minute bake.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When it comes to ingredients, I like to keep things simple but quality-focused. You’ll find these are easy pantry staples except for the standout Strawberry Kisses that truly give this recipe its charm.

Flat lay of a simple white ceramic bowl of smooth cream cheese, one large brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl filled with pink sanding sugar crystals, a neat pile of unwrapped Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses with shiny pink foil wrappers removed showing their glossy pink surface, and a simple white ceramic bowl holding plain sugar cookie mix, all arranged symmetrically in realistic proportions, placed 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

Funfetti Sugar Cookie Mix: This pre-made mix keeps things quick and adds those colorful sprinkles that make every bite fun.
Cream Cheese: Adds moisture and a slight tang that makes the cookies irresistibly soft and rich.
Large Egg: Binds the dough while helping with that tender structure.
Pink or White Sanding Sugar or Non-Pareils: Coats the dough balls to add texture and festive color.
Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses: The star of the show, giving each cookie a luscious strawberry-flavored top that's as delightful to look at as it is to eat.

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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 the best things about the Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize these sweet treats to suit your style or occasion. Whether you want to add a festive flair or tweak the flavor, there are plenty of ways to make these cookies truly your own.

Play with the Coating: I love swapping out the sanding sugar for colorful non-pareils when I want an extra pop of texture and sparkle, especially around holidays. It makes the cookies feel even more festive and fun!
Try Different Kisses: While the Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses are iconic here, you could experiment with other seasonal Kiss flavors to create new flavor profiles that work for different times of the year.
Add Mix-ins: For a little surprise inside the dough, consider stirring in mini white chocolate chips or freeze-dried strawberries for a boost of berry flavor and a bit of extra chew.
Go Dairy-Free: If you prefer, substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free soft cheese alternative—just keep in mind it may slightly change the texture but still keeps the dough soft and tender.
Make It Mini: Using a smaller cookie scoop can create bite-sized versions perfect for parties or as a sweet bite during afternoon tea.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a bite taken donut with a light beige, soft texture sprinkled with red, pink, and white round sprinkles on the outside. The donut is topped with a cone-shaped dollop of smooth pink icing that drips slightly onto the donut surface. Small scattered sprinkles surround the donut on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Workspace

Start by lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper to keep your cookies from sticking and to make cleanup a breeze. Then, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit—this ensures your cookies bake evenly with just the right golden edges.

Step 2: Mix the Soft, Funfetti Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine the 16-ounce bag of funfetti sugar cookie mix with the softened 4 ounces of cream cheese and 1 large egg. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat everything together until a soft, smooth dough forms. It should be moist and a little sticky—that’s exactly right!

Step 3: Coat and Shape the Cookie Balls

Pour your choice of pink or white sanding sugar or non-pareils into a shallow bowl. Use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough and drop each scoop into the sugar or non-pareils bowl. Gently roll the dough around until it's fully coated, then shape into an even ball. This coating not only adds a lovely crunch and sparkle but also helps tame the stickiness of the dough.

Step 4: Chill the Dough if Needed

If the dough feels too sticky to handle, no worries! Pop it into the fridge or freezer for 30 to 60 minutes. This helps firm it up just enough to make scooping and rolling much easier while keeping some of that lovely softness intact.

Step 5: Space and Bake the Cookies

Arrange the coated cookie balls on your prepared baking sheet, giving each about 1 ½ inches of space so they have room to spread. Then bake them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes, or until you see the edges set and the cookies are just turning lightly golden. The aroma at this point is dreamy!

Step 6: Add the Signature Strawberry Kisses

Once out of the oven, let your cookies rest on the baking sheet for 3 to 5 minutes. This brief cooling lets the bottoms set while the tops stay soft enough to gently press an unwrapped Hershey’s Strawberry Kiss right into the center of each cookie. If you prefer softer, slightly melted Kisses, press them in immediately; for firmer Kisses, wait a bit longer.

Step 7: Final Cooling and Serving

Transfer your beautiful cookies to a wire rack to cool completely if you like your Kisses firm, or serve warm right away for that irresistible gooey finish. Enjoy the burst of fruity sweetness paired with the classic funfetti base!

Top Tip

Making the perfect Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe is easier when you keep a few handy tips in mind. These little nuggets of wisdom will help you get that ideal soft texture, gorgeous look, and perfect strawberry finish every time.

Chill the Dough: Because this cookie dough is a bit sticky, chilling it for 30 minutes makes scooping and rolling so much smoother—without losing that soft, tender bite.
Use Sanding Sugar to Tame Stickiness: Rolling dough balls in sanding sugar not only adds a sparkly, festive look but also prevents the dough from sticking to your hands and scoop. It’s a double win!
Timing is Key for the Kisses: Press in the Hershey’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cone Kisses right after baking if you want them soft and melty, or wait 3-5 minutes (or longer) for a firmer, more defined shape.
Don’t Store While Warm: Let your cookies cool completely before packing them away to avoid the Kisses melting out of shape—a little patience really pays off here.

How to Serve Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe

A clear glass bowl sits on a white marbled surface, filled with a thick, creamy dough that has colorful small sprinkles mixed throughout. Around the bowl, there are small white bowls containing pink sugar and round tiny red and white sprinkles, as well as foil-wrapped candies in shiny purple wrappers spilling slightly out of one bowl. To the upper right, a white plate with a gold rim holds a wooden holder with a broken eggshell inside. The overall scene is bright and soft, with soft shadows and a clean, white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To add an extra special touch, you can sprinkle additional colorful sanding sugar or edible glitter on top before baking for an eye-catching sparkle. Fresh strawberry slices or a light dusting of powdered sugar can complement the fruity notes beautifully when serving.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with a cold glass of milk or a cup of warm tea. For a fun party spread, serve alongside fresh fruit salad or vanilla ice cream for a luscious, balanced dessert experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your cooled Strawberry Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want them to last longer, refrigeration will keep them fresh for up to a week—just bring them back to room temperature before enjoying to soften up the Kisses.

Freezing

Freeze your cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months. To thaw, let them sit at room temperature until fully defrosted and soft again. Freezing is a great way to have these cheerful treats ready for any occasion.

Reheating

If you prefer your Kisses soft and melty, gently warm a cookie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Just be careful not to overheat, or the chocolate can lose its perfect texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular sugar cookies instead of funfetti in this recipe?

You certainly can, but the funfetti sugar cookie mix really adds a fun, colorful twist that complements the strawberry flavor beautifully—it's part of what makes this recipe special!

Why is the dough sticky, and how do I handle it?

The cream cheese adds moisture, creating a slightly sticky dough. Chilling it before scooping and using sanding sugar to coat your hands and scoop will make handling much easier.

What’s the best way to get the perfect Kiss texture?

If you prefer soft, melty Kisses, press them into the cookies right out of the oven. For a firmer Kiss, wait 3-5 minutes or until the cookies have cooled more before adding the candy.

How long do these cookies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay fresh for 3-4 days, or up to a week if refrigerated. They also freeze well for 2-3 months.

Final Thoughts

These Strawberry Kiss Cookies Recipe delights me every time—whether for a holiday gathering, a special treat, or just because. Their soft funfetti base paired with creamy tang from the cream cheese and the sweet, fruity kiss on top is pure magic. I hope these tips and serving ideas inspire you to bake a batch that brings joy and smiles all around your kitchen. Happy baking!