Tips for Perfect Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
- Chill for best shape: As with many peppermint kiss cookies, chilled dough spreads less and holds a nice, rounded shape, which is especially important when pressing a Kiss into the center.
- Crush candy canes finely: Smaller pieces mix in more easily and are less likely to create sharp shards or melt into sticky puddles, matching advice from candy cane cookie and bar recipes.
- Don’t overbake: Remove cookies when the edges are set but still light in color; they will continue to set as they cool, keeping the interiors soft.
- Work quickly with Kisses: Press Kisses in right after baking, and if your kitchen is warm, you can pop the tray briefly in the fridge after a few minutes to help the Kisses firm up without losing their shape.
- Peppermint strength: Start with 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract; if you prefer a very strong mint flavor, some recipes suggest adding a touch more, but it’s easy to overdo, so increase cautiously.
Variations and serving ideas
You can experiment with other Hershey’s Kisses flavors—like milk chocolate, white chocolate, or hot cocoa Kisses—for different holiday looks while keeping the peppermint cookie base. Some bakers like to dip the bottoms of cooled Kisses in melted white chocolate and then crushed candy canes before pressing into the cookie for extra peppermint flair, echoing ideas from decorated peppermint blossom recipes.
Serve Candy Cane Kiss Cookies on holiday dessert platters with gingerbread men, sugar cookies, and chocolate peppermint bark. They pair especially well with hot chocolate, peppermint mochas, or coffee, similar to serving suggestions in Christmas cookie roundups. They also look beautiful, packed in tins or clear bags with ribbon as edible gifts.
Storage, make-ahead, and FAQs
Store fully cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for several days; like other peppermint and kiss cookies, they keep their texture well if protected from air. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to containers or freezer bags and thaw at room temperature.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes. Many candy cane and peppermint blossom recipes recommend making the dough up to a day ahead, chilling it tightly covered, then shaping and baking when ready.
Can I freeze unbaked dough balls?
You can roll dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, then store in freezer bags. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time, and still press the Kisses in while warm.
Why did my Kisses melt too much?
The cookies may have been very hot or the room very warm. Some bakers place the sheet in the fridge or freezer for a short time after adding the Kisses to help them set without losing the iconic shape.
Can I use mint extract instead of peppermint?
Peppermint extract is standard in candy–cane–style cookies and has a sharper, cleaner flavor than generic “mint” extract, which often includes spearmint. You can use mint extract, but the flavor may taste slightly different than classic candy cane.
Candy Cane Kiss Cookies bring together buttery sugar-cookie dough, peppermint, and creamy Candy Cane Kisses for a festive holiday treat that looks as good as it tastes and fits right in with classic Christmas bakes.