Cherry Cookies Cookies with a chocolate kiss highlight the very best in dessert treats. Showcasing the timeless love affair between chocolate and cherries, these cookies are simple to make and perfect for the holidays or any occasion.
If you are new to baking or an experienced baker, take a look at our in-house professional chef’s post on how to bake cookies for beginners. It’s a great review for all!

These cherry kiss cookies are perfect for the holidays or any day when you need a little extra love.[/caption]
About this recipe

What says love, like cherries and dark chocolate?
This Cherry Kiss Cookies Recipe is deeply rooted within the timeless love affair between cherries and chocolate.
We're not talking just any chocolate. These cookies are all about the dark chocolate.
Featuring a combination of cherry juice, chopped maraschino cherries, and dark chocolate Hershey kisses, this Cherry Kiss Cookies Recipe harkens back to the basics, even to the extent of being able to mix this batter by hand with a fork. No electronics necessary (said with glee by a dad of six boys).
I've gotten into the habit of baking almost everything on a stone, in all probability all for my own personal love affair with pizza. With this Cherry Kiss Cookies Recipe though, I made an exception.
The heat from a stone carries over long (and intensely) after it comes out of the oven. As soon as these cookies are finished baking, the kisses are placed in their centers.
Using a metal cookie sheet helps ensure that the chocolate kisses are don't get too warm via conduction, allowing for a gentle softening of the chocolate, instead of an all-out meltdown.
This recipe makes about 30 cookies.
If you're looking for a simple and delicious cookie treat, look no further. These Cherry Cookies not only taste great, they're a tasty reminder of the enduring ying and yang between chocolate and cherries.
A love affair that will surely live on forever.
Cherry Kiss Cookies are easy to make and easier to eat.
More Christmas cookie recipes
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📖 Recipe

Cherry Chocolate Kiss Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened to room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons maraschino cherry juice
- ½ teaspoon pure almond extract
- 6 drops red food coloring optional
- 2-¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ - ¾ cup coarsely chopped maraschino cherries
- About 30milk chocolate kisses unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter, powdered sugar and salt. Mix in cherry juice, extract and optional food coloring. Gradually stir in flour and baking soda. Fold in cherries.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on to greased baking sheet.
- Bake 8-10 minutes or until bottoms are light brown. Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cook. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
Video
Nutrition

Cassie
Can i substitute the almond extract for vanilla? My son has a tree nut allergy.
Dan from Platter Talk
Yes, absolutely. Enjoy these chocolate kissed cherry cookies!!
Susan
NYE 2017
FOUND THESE BEAUTIES...WILL MAKE FOR VALENTINES DAY!
we love Dark chocolate
But then u went n put Milk choc.kisses on n in recipe...blah!
Dan from Platter Talk
Happy New Year Susan!
valentina
Brilliant idea. I bet these are super delicious. Love their tiny size and how full of love they are! (I'd be in danger of eating way too many!) 😉
Chef Kat from Platter Talk
Thanks, Valentina. We have two words of advise: Risk. It. 🙂
Molly Kumar
These look so adorable n perfect for Valentines. The combination of chocolate n cherries is definitely one of the best.
Laura | Wandercooks
I'm usually more of a milk chocolate fan myself, but when you put it THAT way how can I not give it a try with dark! Plus they look so adorable too!
Anjali
Love it when kisses are in another cookie! love the pretty pink.
Shelley
These did not turn out well for me. I followed the instructions to a T....a messy, crumbly mess to make and not at all pretty once baked and cooled. Nice taste but won't make again for presentation reasons.
Chef Kat from Platter Talk
Thanks for the feedback, Shelly. We're sorry these did not turn out the way you had hoped.
Tina
These are such a treat! I'd love if someone made these for me for Valentine's this year. Guess I might have to leave this page open on my computer as a hint..
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities
These look sooooo good. I dont think i could make them because I would eat the cherries and the kisses before they ever got into the cookie
Lisa
Such a pretty cookie, and wonderful flavor combo! I bet they'd be over the top with the Cherry Cordial Kisses! Honestly I cannot buy them because I eat them all, but if I'm going to try your recipe using them, and I just happen to have some leftover, well....can't let them go to waste! ???? I think I'll make some for my mom...at 76 she probably won't get a Valentine unless I take her one, and she'd LOVE these! ❤