Strawberry Kiss Cookies – Easy 4-Ingredient Recipe

The Prettiest, Easiest Pink Cookie You’ll Ever Make

Imagine a cookie that’s soft and tender, with a sweet strawberry flavor and a pretty pink hue, all crowned with a classic chocolate kiss. These Strawberry Kiss Cookies are exactly that magical treat, and the best part is they’re incredibly easy to make. By using a simple shortcut—a strawberry cake mix—you get perfectly flavored, vibrantly colored cookies with minimal effort. They’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser for bake sales, Valentine’s Day, baby showers, or any day that needs a little extra sweetness. If you love easy, festive cookies, our Brown Butter Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are another must-try.

Why This Recipe Is a Baking Game-Changer

• 4-Ingredient Simplicity: The base is just cake mix, butter, egg, and cream cheese.
• Foolproof & Fast: No mixer required, and they bake in just 10 minutes.
• Always Soft & Pillowy: The cream cheese creates an incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Visually Stunning: The natural pink color makes them a gorgeous addition to any dessert table.
• Nostalgic Twist: It’s the classic chocolate kiss cookie with a fun, fruity strawberry flavor everyone loves.

Your Short & Sweet Ingredient List

• Strawberry Cake Mix: 1 standard box (15.25 oz). This is your flavor, color, and flour base.
• Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick), melted and slightly cooled.
• Large Egg: 1, at room temperature.
• Cream Cheese: 4 oz, softened to room temperature. This is the secret to the soft texture!
• Hershey’s Kisses: About 30, unwrapped.
• For Rolling: Powdered sugar (for a soft, matte finish) or pink/red sanding sugar (for sparkle).

Baker’s Secret: The cream cheese is non-negotiable. It adds moisture, tang to balance the sweetness, and most importantly, it prevents the cookies from spreading too much, giving them that perfect, thick, and soft texture.

Step-by-Step to Perfect Kiss Cookies

1. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, stir together the dry strawberry cake mix, melted butter, and egg until a soft dough forms. Gently mix in the softened cream cheese until just combined and no white streaks remain. The dough will be soft and sticky.
2. Chill the Dough (Crucial Step!): Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour. This firms it up, makes it easier to handle, and is the key to keeping your cookies thick instead of flat.
3. Shape & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized portions and roll into smooth balls. If desired, roll each ball in a bowl of powdered sugar or sanding sugar for coating.
4. Bake: Place dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes. The edges should be set, but the centers will still look very soft. Do not overbake!
5. Add the Kiss: As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for exactly 1-2 minutes. Then, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss straight down into the center of each warm cookie. The cookie will crack slightly around the edges—this is perfect!
6. Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 more minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. The chocolate will set as they cool.

Pro Tips for Bakery-Worthy Results

• Don’t Skip the Chill: This is the #1 rule. Chilled dough = thick, pretty cookies. Warm dough = flat, spread-out cookies.
• Room Temp Ingredients: Ensure your egg and cream cheese are truly at room temperature to mix smoothly into the dough without overmixing.
• Press the Kiss at the Right Time: If the cookies are too hot, the kiss will melt into a puddle. If they’re too cool, it won’t stick. The 1-2 minute window is perfect.
• Store for Softness: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. The cream cheese helps them stay soft for days.
• Make Ahead: You can refrigerate the dough, covered, for up to 3 days before baking.

Serving Suggestions & Perfect Pairings

These adorable cookies are perfect all on their own! Serve them on a pretty platter for a party or package them in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift. They pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk, a cup of coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For another beautiful pink treat, try our Best Red Velvet Pancakes.

Nutrition at a Glance

(Approximate per cookie) Calories: ~120, Fat: 6g, Carbohydrates: 16g, Sugar: 11g, Protein: 1g. This is a sweet, indulgent treat.

Storing and Gifting Your Cookies

• Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Freeze baked, unfrosted cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature.
• Gift: Layer cookies between sheets of parchment paper in a gift box or tin.

Your Strawberry Kiss Cookie Questions Answered

• Can I use a different cake mix flavor? Absolutely! Try funfetti for birthday parties, chocolate, or lemon cake mix.
• Why did my cookies spread and get flat? The dough wasn’t chilled long enough, or your oven temperature might be off. Use an oven thermometer and always chill for the full hour.
• Can I use fresh strawberries? No, the added moisture will make the dough far too wet and sticky. The cake mix provides concentrated flavor without the water.
• My chocolate kiss melted completely. What happened? The cookies were too hot when you pressed it in. Next time, let them cool for the full 2 minutes on the baking sheet first.
• Can I make these without cream cheese? You can substitute with an additional 4 oz of softened butter, but the cookies will be crisper and will spread more. The cream cheese texture is highly recommended.

More Easy & Festive Cookie Recipes to Try

If these become a hit, you’ll love our other simple treats. Our Easy Chocolate Dipped Butter Cookies are elegant and simple, and our Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies are always a timeless favorite.

The Story Behind This Simple Sweet

This recipe is a celebration of the clever “cake mix cookie”—a brilliant hack that delivers consistent flavor, color, and perfect results with incredible ease. It takes the nostalgic joy of a classic Hershey’s Kiss cookie and gives it a vibrant, fruity twist that’s guaranteed to delight both kids and adults. The method of using cream cheese to create a supremely soft, thick base was inspired by the meticulously tested Strawberry Kiss Cookies recipe on Sweet Craft Recipes.

Pin This Recipe For Your Next Celebration!

These cookies are almost too pretty to eat! Save them to your “Easy Desserts” or “Holiday Baking” Pinterest board so you’re always ready for a baking project. Did you make a batch? We’d love to see your beautiful cookies—tag us! For hundreds more recipes designed to be simple and delicious, explore our full collection.