Strawberry Kiss Sweet Cookies (Printer-Friendly)

Soft, pink cookies with strawberry flavor and a chocolate kiss surprise, ideal for festive treats or everyday enjoyment.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cookie Dough

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 large egg, at room temperature
04 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
05 - 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
06 - 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 tsp baking powder
08 - 1/4 tsp salt
09 - 1 package (3 oz) strawberry-flavored gelatin mix
10 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting

→ Topping

11 - 24-30 chocolate kiss candies, unwrapped

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
02 - Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using, and beat until fully combined. Mix in the strawberry gelatin powder thoroughly.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed until a soft, pink dough forms. If too sticky, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour.
05 - Scoop approximately 1 tablespoon of dough, roll into smooth balls, place on a lined baking sheet, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chilled dough balls 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets without pressing an indentation.
07 - Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until edges are set but centers remain slightly soft.
08 - Remove cookies from oven, let rest on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then gently press a chocolate kiss into the center of each warm cookie.
09 - Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, then dust with powdered sugar before serving.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Use butter at room temperature for optimal creaming and texture. Chilling the dough prevents spreading, ensuring perfect shape.
02 - Eggs should be at room temperature to integrate smoothly into the batter, resulting in softer cookies.