Irresistible Chocolate Blossom Cookies Recipe – Soft, Chewy & Perfectly Sweet
Chocolate Blossom Cookies bring back memories of childhood holiday baking sessions, where the kitchen was filled with the rich aroma of cocoa and the excitement of pressing those iconic Hershey’s kisses into warm, tender cookies.
There’s something magical about watching these simple ingredients transform into perfectly gooey chocolate cookies that have delighted families for generations. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your homemade baking journey, these tender chocolate blossoms represent the perfect blend of simplicity and indulgence that makes every bite worth savoring.
Picture this: you walk into a kitchen where flour dusts the countertops, the sweet scent of vanilla mingles with rich cocoa powder, and a tray of fresh chocolate blossom treats sits cooling on the counter. That’s the magic these cookies bring to any home, turning an ordinary afternoon into a special moment of connection and creativity.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This simple chocolate cookie recipe has become my go-to whenever I need to create something special without spending hours in the kitchen. Last month, when my neighbor’s daughter had a bake sale, we whipped up three dozen of these beauties in under two hours – and they were the first to sell out! The secret lies in how the soft, chocolatey base perfectly complements the sweet surprise of that Hershey’s kiss on top.
What makes these best chocolate blossom treats truly irresistible is their foolproof nature. Even if you’ve never baked before, these easy baking tips for cookies will guide you to success every time. The dough comes together quickly, rolls beautifully in your choice of sugar, sprinkles, or powdered sugar, and bakes to that perfect tender texture that melts in your mouth.
Ready to create your own batch of magic? Explore more quick & easy dinner recipes here to complete your homemade meal planning, but first, let’s dive into these incredible homemade chocolate blossom cookies!
Ingredients List
| Component | Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cookies | All-purpose flour | 150 g |
| Natural cocoa powder | 50 g | |
| Baking powder | ½ teaspoon | |
| Baking soda | ½ teaspoon | |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon | |
| Unsalted butter, softened to room temperature | 115 g | |
| Brown sugar | 100 g | |
| Large egg, room temperature | 1 | |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | |
| For Rolling | Granulated sugar | 30 g |
| Sprinkles | 30 g | |
| Powdered sugar | 30 g | |
| For Topping | Hershey’s kisses, unwrapped | 24 |
Planning a complete homemade feast? Find more delicious lunch ideas here to pair perfectly with your sweet cookie creation!
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap all 24 Hershey’s kisses and set them aside – this saves precious time when your cookies come out of the oven hot and ready for their chocolate crowns.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This ensures even distribution and prevents any lumps from forming in your cookie dough.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together using an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. This step creates the perfect tender texture that makes these Chocolate Blossom Cookies so irresistible.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the room temperature egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated. The mixture should be smooth and well-blended.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Don’t overmix – this keeps your cookies tender rather than tough.
Step 6: Prepare Rolling Stations
Set up three small bowls with granulated sugar, sprinkles, and powdered sugar for rolling your cookie dough balls.
Step 7: Shape and Roll
Roll the dough into 24 equal balls (about 1 tablespoon each). Roll each ball in your choice of coating – granulated sugar for classic crackle, sprinkles for fun color, or powdered sugar for elegant sweetness.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set but centers still look slightly soft.
Step 9: Add the Hershey’s Kisses
Immediately after removing from the oven, gently press a Hershey’s kiss into the center of each warm cookie. The residual heat will slightly melt the chocolate for that perfect gooey center.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This allows the chocolate to set while maintaining that tender cookie texture.
Exact Timing to make Chocolate Blossom Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (including unwrapping chocolates)
- Baking Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
- Cooling Time: 15 minutes
- Total Active Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including cooling)
- Yield: 24 cookies
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Per Cookie | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 145 | 7% |
| Total Fat | 6.2g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 3.8g | 19% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 18mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 95mg | 4% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.5g | 5% |
| Total Sugars | 16g | – |
| Added Sugars | 14g | 28% |
| Protein | 2.1g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 45mcg | 5% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.8mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 85mg | 2% |
*Based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutritional data calculated using USDA food composition database and manufacturer specifications for Hershey’s kisses.
Healthier Alternatives
| Original Ingredient | Healthier Swap | Benefits | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | Whole wheat pastry flour | Higher fiber, more nutrients | 1:1 replacement |
| Butter | Greek yogurt + coconut oil | Reduced saturated fat, added protein | ½ cup yogurt + ¼ cup oil |
| Brown sugar | Coconut sugar or date paste | Lower glycemic index, minerals | 1:1 for coconut sugar |
| Hershey’s kisses | Dark chocolate chips (70%+) | Antioxidants, less sugar | 1 teaspoon per cookie |
| Cocoa powder | Raw cacao powder | Higher antioxidants, minerals | 1:1 replacement |
| Regular egg | Flax egg (1 tbsp ground + 3 tbsp water) | Omega-3 fatty acids, vegan option | 1:1 replacement |
These modifications help create lighter Chocolate Blossom Cookies without sacrificing the beloved flavor profile that makes them so special. For even more sweet inspiration, explore more delicious desserts here to expand your healthy baking repertoire!
Serving Suggestions
Holiday Party Perfection: Arrange your Chocolate Blossom Cookies on a festive platter alongside other holiday treats. Their eye-catching appearance and perfect bite-size portions make them ideal for cookie exchanges, potluck gatherings, or as an elegant dessert for dinner parties.
Milk and Cookie Moments: Serve these tender cookies with cold milk, hot cocoa, or even a warm cup of coffee for the ultimate comfort experience. The rich chocolate flavor pairs beautifully with creamy beverages, creating that nostalgic moment we all crave.
Gift Giving Magic: Package these homemade treats in decorative tins or clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for thoughtful gifts. Their professional appearance and irresistible taste make them perfect for teachers, neighbors, or anyone who deserves something special.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Temperature Troubles: Using butter that’s too cold or too warm can dramatically affect your cookie texture. Room temperature butter should give slightly when pressed but not be melted or greasy. This ensures proper creaming with the sugar and creates that perfect tender crumb in your finished Chocolate Blossom Cookies.
Kiss Timing Issues: Don’t wait too long to press in the Hershey’s kisses after removing cookies from the oven. The residual heat is crucial for creating that slight melt that makes the chocolate adhere properly. If you wait more than 30 seconds, the cookies may crack when you press the chocolate.
Overmixing the Dough: Once you add the flour mixture, mix just until combined. Overworking the dough develops too much gluten, resulting in tough, dense cookies instead of the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes these treats so beloved.
Storing Tips
Short-term Storage: Store your cooled Chocolate Blossom Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent the Hershey’s kisses from sticking to other cookies and maintain their perfect appearance.
Freezer-Friendly Options: These cookies freeze beautifully for up to three months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving – they’ll taste just as fresh as the day you baked them.
Dough Preparation Ahead: Roll your cookie dough balls and freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags once solid. You can bake frozen dough balls directly from the freezer, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time for fresh Chocolate Blossom Cookies whenever cravings strike.
FAQs
Q: Why do my Chocolate Blossom Cookies spread too much during baking?
A: Cookie spreading usually happens when your butter is too warm or your dough is too soft. Make sure your butter is properly softened (room temperature, not melted) and consider chilling your shaped cookie dough balls for 15 minutes before baking if your kitchen is particularly warm.
Q: Can I make Chocolate Blossom Cookies without the Hershey’s kisses?
A: Absolutely! While the kisses are traditional, you can substitute with dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or even a small piece of your favorite chocolate bar. Press whatever chocolate you choose into the warm cookies immediately after baking for the best results.
Q: How do I prevent my Chocolate Blossom Cookies from becoming too hard?
A: The key to tender cookies is not overbaking them. Remove them from the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft and underdone. They’ll continue cooking slightly on the hot pan, and this technique ensures that perfect chewy texture.
Q: What’s the best way to get evenly sized Chocolate Blossom Cookies?
A: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon measure to portion your dough consistently. Each ball should be about 1 tablespoon of dough, which creates uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professionally made. This also ensures each cookie gets the perfect proportion of Hershey’s kiss to cookie base.
Chocolate Blossom Cookies
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet, these Chocolate Blossom Cookies are a timeless treat every home baker loves. A cozy classic among cookie and baking recipes, they feature rich cocoa flavor with a sweet Hershey’s kiss center. Perfect for holidays, bake sales, or whenever your sweet tooth strikes, these cookies are quick to make and full of chocolate charm.
Ingredients
- 150 g all-purpose flour
- 50 g natural cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 115 g unsalted butter, softened
- 100 g brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 30 g granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 30 g sprinkles (for rolling)
- 30 g powdered sugar (for rolling)
- 24 Hershey’s kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap all Hershey’s kisses and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar for 2–3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract until well blended.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until combined. Do not overmix.
- Place granulated sugar, sprinkles, and powdered sugar in separate small bowls for rolling.
- Roll dough into 24 balls, then coat each ball in your choice of sugar or sprinkles.
- Arrange cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheets and bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are set and centers are soft.
- Immediately press a Hershey’s kiss into the center of each cookie while warm.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Notes
For perfectly shaped cookies, chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking. You can mix and match coatings for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: chocolate cookies, baking recipes, recipes dessert, recipes easy
