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Gingerbread cookies on a cooling rack with a cloth beside the rack.
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Gingerbread Kiss Cookies

Gingerbread Kiss Cookies start with a gingerbread cake & cookie mix, rolled in sugar, and then topped with a Hershey's Hug. These easy gingerbread cookies are always a Christmas hit! A soft-baked, puffy gingerbread cookie with a soft white and milk chocolate kiss tucked in on top. 
Course Christmas, Cookies
Cuisine American
Keyword easy gingerbread cookies, gingerbread kiss cookies
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 15
Author Jessica - Together as Family

Ingredients

  • 1 box (14.5 oz) gingerbread cake and cookie mix
  • 1/4 cup half and half
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup raw cane sugar OR white granulated sugar
  • 15 Hershey's Hugs

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer, or use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together the gingerbread cookie mix, half and half, and softened butter.
    Beat until well combined, about 2 minutes.
    Scrape the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl with a spatula and mix again for 1 minute to ensure that everything is combined well.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • Place the raw cane sugar or sugar in a small bowl.
  • Scoop the dough using a medium cookie scoop (1.5 tablespoons of dough) and roll it into a ball. Roll the ball in the sugar and place it on the cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining cookie dough.
  • Bake for 9-13 minutes or just until the edges of the cookies are set and they look puffy and slightly crackly on top.
  • Allow the cookies to cool on the warm cookie sheet for 5-10 minutes before placing an unwrapped Hershey Hugs on the top of each one.
    * If you want softer, melty chocolate then put the Hershey Hug on the cookies about 2-3 minutes after they come out of the oven. If you prefer a firmer chocolate that keeps it's shape, wait for closer to 10 minutes before placing the Hug on top of the cookies.
  • Move the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely. Or try eating one warm!

Notes

Substitution Ideas
  • Whole Milk : You can use whole milk in place of half and half if that's what you have. I prefer the half and half because of the higher fat content, which lends to a rich and moist cookie but whole milk will work just fine in a pinch. 
  • Raw Cane Sugar : This sugar is a coarse sugar that gives these cookies their classic, rolled in sugar appearance but you can substitute regular white granulated sugar for a similar taste but the appearance will be slightly different. I usually always use the granulated sugar because groceries are expensive and I don't want to buy the raw sugar. So use what you prefer or use what you already have. 
  • Hershey Hugs : You can also use Hershey's Kisses or dark chocolate kisses for this recipe. 
Recipe Tips
  • Softened Butter : Be sure to soften your butter before starting. You can leave the butter out, on the countertop at room temperature, for about 1-3 hours before making the cookies. However, if you forget to do this there is another simple option (I usually always do this!). Place the stick of butter in the microwave for 5 seconds at a time, turning it after every heating. Be careful not to overheat the butter if doing it this way. You don't want the butter melted as it will completely change the look and texture of these cookies. 
  • Don't Skip The Chill Time : I hate waiting for cookie dough to chill and I try to avoid it at all costs. But with these cookies it is definitely worth it! First, the dough tends to be sticky and hard to work with when it is first mixed.  Second, it flattens out too much if it doesn't have time to chill first. So do yourself the favor and just stick the cookie dough in the fridge for 15 minutes before you roll it into the dough balls for baking. Out of the fridge, the dough is nice and workable, soft but not sticky, and the cookies turn out big and fluffy. 
  • Hershey Hugs Tip : If you want the hugs to be ooey gooey and soft, put them on just a minute or two after the cookies come out of the oven. If you prefer them firm with just a bit of soft give, then you'll want to wait 5-10 minute before putting the hugs on. The cookies in the photos had the Hershey Hugs put on about 8-10 minutes after baking.
  • Butter : Unsalted butter can be used as well but I would make sure to add just a pinch of salt in with the other ingredients.