Easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms

These easy Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms Cookies are a bright and festive treat perfect for celebrations like Christmas or Valentine’s Day. Instead of the usual thumbprint cookie jam center, each cookie features a melted Hershey’s Kiss that adds a luscious chocolate surprise. Their tender texture and vibrant red color make them as delightful to look at as they are to eat.

I first made these during a holiday baking day with my family, and they quickly became a favorite because the cookies look so pretty with the red sugar coating and the melty chocolate tops everyone loved.

Ingredients

• Butter: softened butter gives the cookies a tender and rich base, salted or unsalted both work
• Brown and granulated sugar: combines for the perfect texture, brown sugar adds moisture and depth while granulated sugar provides crunch
• Egg yolk: adds richness and helps bind the dough without making it too cakey
• Vanilla extract: brings out warm, aromatic flavor notes
• All-purpose flour: the foundation to build structure in your cookies
• Cocoa powder: a small amount to create the classic red velvet chocolate essence
• Salt: enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the dough
• Baking powder: gives the cookies a slight lift and lightness
• Red gel food coloring: the key to achieving that iconic vivid red color, gel works better than liquids for intense color without adding liquid
• Red sanding sugar: coats the cookies for sparkle and a little extra sweetness, choosing a glittery or sparkling sanding sugar makes the cookies more festive
• Hershey’s Kisses: the star of the cookie center, milk chocolate is classic but you can swap in other flavors for variety

Instructions

Sift and measure ingredients:

Begin by sifting your all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and prevents lumps for a smooth cookie dough.

Cream the butter and sugars:

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both the brown and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. This step creates tiny air pockets, which are the secret to a soft cookie texture.

Incorporate egg yolk, vanilla, and food coloring:

Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and red gel food coloring to the creamed butter mixture. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are fully combined and the batter turns a bright red shade.

Add the dry ingredients:

Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently, just until all the flour mixture has been incorporated. Be careful not to overmix or your cookies could become tough.

Shape and coat the dough balls:

Scoop out approximately 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie and roll it gently between your palms to form smooth balls. Roll each ball in the red sanding sugar until fully coated. This sugar coating creates an attractive sparkling effect once baked.

Bake and add Hershey’s Kisses:

Place the sugar-coated dough balls evenly spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie so it melts slightly into the warm dough.

Allow to cool:

Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps the Hershey’s Kiss set nicely and prevents the cookies from breaking apart.

My favorite ingredient has to be the red sanding sugar. It not only gives these cookies their festive sparkle but also adds a delicate crunch on the outside that contrasts with the soft interior. A family favorite memory is gifting these cookies during Christmas, watching everyone’s faces light up at the surprise of melty chocolate inside.

Storage Tips

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to maintain their freshness. If you want them to last longer, keep them in the refrigerator for up to one week. Just be sure to bring them back to room temperature before serving, or warm them briefly in the microwave for that fresh-baked softness.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have red sanding sugar, regular granulated sugar can work as a substitute; just choose a thicker grain sugar for texture. You can experiment with colored sanding sugars to match different holidays, such as green for Christmas or black for Halloween. For the chocolate center, try white chocolate or dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses for a different flavor experience.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are great on their own with a cup of milk or hot cocoa. They can also be arranged on festive cookie platters for holiday parties. For a more decadent treat, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream.

These festive cookies are simple to make and delightful to share. Enjoy them fresh for the best texture and melty chocolate centers.

Common Questions About Recipes

→ How should red velvet blossoms be stored?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.

→ Can I substitute red sanding sugar?

Yes, regular granulated sugar works well, preferably thicker grains. Colored sanding sugars can be used for different occasions to adjust the look.

→ What flavors do these blossoms have?

They offer a buttery texture with subtle cocoa and vanilla notes, enhanced by the creamy chocolate kiss center.

→ Can I use different chocolates in the center?

Absolutely, try various Hershey’s Kisses or chocolates to customize flavor and theme.

→ Are these blossoms suitable for holidays?

Yes, their bright red color and festive sugar coating make them perfect for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or other celebrations.