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Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my favorite holiday cookies! These Peppermint Kiss Cookies (we call them Candy Cane Blossoms in our house) have become such a Christmas tradition in my kitchen. Every December, my whole house fills with the most amazing buttery-minty aroma as these little beauties bake. They're absolutely perfect for gifting, though I'll admit, sometimes they don't quite make it to the gift boxes!
Why These Are Our Family Favorite
What I love most about these cookies is how quick they are to make no chilling time needed! When my kids start begging for Christmas cookies, I can whip these up in under 30 minutes. They've saved me more than once when I needed last-minute treats for school parties or unexpected holiday visitors.
Let's Gather Our Ingredients
- Candy Cane Kisses: I stock up on these as soon as they hit the stores! Trust me, they disappear fast.
- All-Purpose Flour: Just your regular flour works perfectly here.
- Butter: I use unsalted and let it soften naturally on the counter.
- Sugar: Keep extra for rolling it makes them sparkle like snow!
- Milk: This makes them so wonderfully soft.
- Vanilla: The good stuff makes a difference!
- Baking Soda: For that perfect, tender texture.
- Salt: Just a pinch makes everything pop.
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Let's Start Baking!
- Getting Ready
- First thing I do is preheat to 350°F and line my trusted cookie sheets they've seen many batches of these beauties!
- The Magic Begins
- Cream that butter and sugar until it's fluffy as clouds. My kids love watching the transformation!
- Making It Smooth
- In goes the milk and vanilla. I learned from my grandmother to always use pure vanilla extract it makes such a difference.
- Creating Our Dough
- Mix in those dry ingredients just until they're combined. Over-mixing is not our friend here!
- Roll and Sparkle
- This is where the kids join in! Rolling the dough in sugar makes them feel like little bakers.
- Baking Time
- Ten minutes is usually perfect in my oven. I watch for those slightly golden edges.
- The Final Touch
- Working quickly with those Candy Cane Kisses is key they need a warm cookie to nestle into!
Serving Up Smiles
In our house, these cookies have become part of our cozy winter ritual! Nothing beats curling up with a plate of these and a steaming mug of hot cocoa. During our holiday movie nights, I arrange them on my grandmother's vintage cookie plate it always makes everyone feel extra special. My husband claims they're even better with his evening coffee!
Keeping Them Fresh
Want to know my storage secret? I keep these little gems in an old cookie tin lined with parchment paper they stay perfect for a week! Though honestly, they rarely last that long in our house. When I'm really on top of my game, I'll make a double batch and freeze some for surprise visitors. Just don't tell anyone I have a secret stash in the back of the freezer!
My Best Baking Tips
After years of making these cookies (and a few memorable mishaps!), I've learned some tricks. Always let that butter soften naturally rushing it in the microwave just isn't the same. Sometimes I add a tiny drop of peppermint extract to the dough when I'm craving extra mint flavor. And here's my favorite tip: use a small cookie scoop for perfectly sized cookies every time!
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Learning From My Mistakes
Oh, let me tell you about my first batch of these cookies! I learned the hard way that timing is everything with those Candy Cane Kisses. Pop them on too early, they melt completely; too late, they won't stick. Now I have it down to a science: 2-3 minutes of cooling is just right. And don't try moving them right after adding the kiss I still have memories of my epic cookie slide of 2019!
Making Them Your Own
My family loves experimenting with these cookies! Last Christmas, my daughter suggested using dark chocolate kisses, and they were amazing! Sometimes we roll them in colored sugar to match different holidays. My son's favorite version includes a sprinkle of crushed candy canes in the sugar coating pure genius from my little baker!
Wrapping Up The Love
These cookies make the sweetest gifts! I love packaging them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon, or nestling them in pretty holiday tins. My daughter helps write little note cards with warming instructions (and usually adds some artwork too!). There's something so special about giving a homemade treat it's like sharing a little piece of our kitchen joy.
Everyone Can Enjoy
Over the years, I've adapted this recipe for friends with different dietary needs. My neighbor's dairy-free version using plant-based butter turned out wonderfully! For my gluten-free friends, I use a reliable cup-for-cup flour blend. The joy on their faces when they can enjoy holiday cookies with everyone else makes the extra effort so worth it.
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Baking With Little Helpers
Some of my favorite holiday memories involve making these cookies with my kids. They've become expert dough rollers and sugar coaters! Yes, we end up with sugar everywhere, and sometimes the kisses aren't perfectly centered, but those imperfect cookies often taste the best. Plus, these moments in the kitchen are teaching them so much more than just baking.
Making Them Sparkle
Want to know what makes these cookies extra special? I keep different colored sugars in my pantry just for coating these! Red and green for Christmas, pink for Valentine's Day, pastels for Easter. My kids love choosing the colors, and sometimes we mix them for a magical sparkly effect. A light dusting of powdered sugar on top makes them look like they've been kissed by snow!
Perfect for Parties
These cookies have become my go-to for holiday gatherings! They look so pretty on a dessert table, and I love how guests' eyes light up when they spot them. Last year's Christmas party turned into an impromptu cookie and cocoa pairing session everyone had such fun trying different combinations!
Cookie Swap Star
Every year at our neighborhood cookie swap, these are always a hit! I package them carefully with little recipe cards tucked inside people always ask for the recipe. It's become such a tradition that if I try bringing something different, everyone asks 'But where are the peppermint kisses?'
Getting Ahead of the Game
During the busy holiday season, I've learned to work smarter! I often make the dough ahead and keep it in the fridge never longer than two days though, or my family starts sneaking bites of cookie dough! When I'm ready to bake, I just let it come to room temperature while the oven preheats. Such a time-saver during those busy December days!
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The Perfect Holiday Match
These cookies have become part of our holiday drink tradition too! My husband loves them with his evening coffee, the kids dunk them in hot chocolate, and I enjoy mine with a festive chai tea. During our annual tree-trimming party, we serve them alongside mulled wine pure heaven! There's just something about that minty sweetness that makes every holiday drink taste even better.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why don't these cookies need chilling?
- The recipe is balanced with the right amount of butter and flour to create a stable dough. The cookies hold their shape well during baking without needing time in the fridge.
- → When should I add the candy cane kisses?
- Add the kisses right after baking while cookies are still warm but not hot. Let them cool 2-3 minutes first so the kisses don't melt completely.
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
- You can make and store these cookies for several days. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature, making sure the kisses don't get squished.
- → Why are my cookies spreading too much?
- Make sure your butter is just softened, not melted. Also check that you're using the right amount of flour and your baking soda is fresh for best results.
- → Can I use regular chocolate kisses instead?
- Yes, you can use any variety of Hershey's kisses. Candy cane kisses give the signature peppermint flavor, but regular chocolate or other flavors work too.