This Cherry Kiss cookie has been a festive favorite in my kitchen for years. I first discovered this combination on a chilly December afternoon when I wanted something bright, sweet, and slightly retro to take to a holiday cookie swap. The first bite—tender, buttery cookie flecked with pretty pink maraschino cherries and finished with a glossy chocolate Kiss—reminded me of cookie plates and neighborhood potlucks from my childhood. It’s the kind of treat that sparks conversation and brings out smiles, a small baked moment that feels both celebratory and comfortingly familiar.

What makes this version special is how the maraschino cherries are treated: drained, patted dry, and lightly dusted with flour so that they distribute evenly without sinking or turning the dough soggy. The dough itself is straightforward — butter, sifted powdered sugar, a dash of almond and vanilla extracts, and a whisper of cherry juice for flavor and color. If you choose to add a few drops of red food coloring, you’ll get a charming pink hue that feels perfect for holidays, birthdays, or any time you want to serve something a little more whimsical. These cookies bake quickly, press perfectly for the Kiss, and are sturdy enough to transport without losing their shape.

Ingredients

• Maraschino cherries: Use a 12-ounce jar, drain and reserve 1 1/2 tablespoons of juice. Pat cherries dry before chopping to avoid excess moisture; Luxardo-style cherries are too intense — use classic bright maraschinos for the right balance.
• All-purpose flour: 2 cups for the dough and an extra 2 tablespoons to toss with the chopped cherries so they don’t sink during mixing and baking.
• Unsalted butter: 1 cup at room temperature. I use a high-quality European-style butter for extra richness; make sure it’s soft but not melted for proper creaming.
• Powdered sugar: 1 cup, sifted. Sifting removes lumps and helps the dough yield a smooth, tender crumb.
• Flavors: 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for depth — the almond note complements the cherry very well.
• Optional color: 4 to 6 drops red food coloring to tint the dough a soft pink for festive presentation.
• Finishing: 1/4 cup granulated sugar for rolling, plus 36 Hershey’s Kiss candies to press into the warm cookies.

Instructions

Prep the oven and pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper so the cookies bake evenly and release cleanly. Set the sheets aside while you prepare the dough. Prep the cherries: Drain a 12-ounce jar of maraschino cherries, reserving 1 1/2 tablespoons of the juice. Pat the cherries dry on a paper towel to remove excess syrup, then finely chop. Toss the chopped cherries with the reserved 2 tablespoons of flour so they won’t clump or bleed into the dough. Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl whisk together the remaining 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Keeping the dry mixture separate helps you add it gradually to avoid overmixing when combined with the butter and sugar. Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat 1 cup unsalted butter and 1 cup sifted powdered sugar on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes until light and fluffy. The creaming step incorporates air, which keeps the cookies tender and slightly elevated. Add extracts and cherry juice: Mix in the reserved 1 1/2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice along with 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until fully incorporated. If using red food coloring, add 2 to 3 drops now and adjust with 1 or 2 more drops until you reach your desired pink shade. Incorporate flour: Slowly add the flour-salt mixture on low speed just until combined. The dough should be stiff but pliable. Overmixing develops gluten and will yield tougher cookies, so stop as soon as you see no streaks of flour. Fold in cherries: Using a rubber spatula, fold the reserved, floured chopped cherries into the dough until evenly distributed. The flour coating on the cherries prevents them from sinking or creating wet spots. Scoop and roll: Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the dough, roll each portion into a smooth ball, and gently roll in 1/4 cup granulated sugar to coat. Place cookies 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart on prepared sheets — a 12x16-inch sheet holds 12 to 15 cookies comfortably. Bake: Bake in the center of the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are just lightly golden. Watch the first sheet closely; ovens vary and you want a tender cookie that still holds shape. Top with a Kiss: Remove from oven and immediately press one Hershey's Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. Press just enough to slightly spread the cookie and secure the candy; pressing too far in can cause the Kiss to sink when cooled. Cool: Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

Storage Tips

To maintain the cookies’ texture, cool completely on a wire rack before storing. Store at room temperature in an airtight container layered with parchment paper for up to four days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a sheet tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers; they’ll keep up to three months. Reheat frozen cookies briefly in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to refresh the texture before serving. If you freeze unbaked scooped dough, freeze on a tray then transfer to a bag and bake from frozen, adding 1 to 2 minutes to bake time.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you need to avoid dairy, substitute 1 cup of a firm vegan butter substitute that behaves like dairy butter for creaming; results will be similar though flavor shifts slightly. For a nut-free option, omit the almond extract and increase vanilla to 3/4 teaspoon or add 1/4 teaspoon butter extract for depth. To reduce sweetness slightly, use 3/4 cup powdered sugar and increase the flour by 1 to 2 tablespoons to maintain texture; note that flavor and tenderness will change. For a darker chocolate note, replace standard Hershey's Kisses with dark chocolate Kisses or mini chocolate chips pressed into the center.

Serving Suggestions

These are perfect on holiday platters alongside thumbprint cookies and spritzes. For a pretty presentation, arrange on a tiered stand with sprigs of evergreen or edible holly for winter or scatter rose petals for a Valentine’s display. Pair with strong coffee or a milky hot chocolate — the cherry and almond notes pair especially well with slightly bitter beverages. For parties, place cookies on decorative parchment and label flavors to make the tray approachable and festive.

Cultural Background

The idea of pressing a chocolate into a cookie dates back decades and evokes classic American home baking and school bake sales. These cookies blend the nostalgic charm of midcentury American sweets — the bright maraschino cherry and the iconic Hershey’s Kiss — with homemade technique. Variations of cherry-studded cookies appear in many family cookbooks and community cook-offs, and this combination captures a sense of celebration and approachable sweetness that has kept it popular across generations.

Seasonal Adaptations

For winter holidays, tint the dough a pale pink or leave natural and dust with powdered sugar. In summer, swap maraschino cherries for chopped glacé cherries or candied cherries for similar sweetness but different texture; reduce added cherry juice if cherries are very moist. For Valentine’s Day, use pink sanding sugar for rolling and heart-shaped presentation boxes. On patriotic holidays, make a small batch with blue-tinted dough and white chocolate centers to create a themed platter.

Meal Prep Tips

Portion dough using a 1 tablespoon scoop and freeze the raw balls on a tray. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag; bake straight from frozen, adding 1 to 2 minutes to baking time. This makes it easy to pop a batch in the oven for unexpected guests or to prepare trays for multiple events. Keep a small jar of extra cherries and Kisses for quick topping and finishing right before serving for the freshest appearance.

These cookies always bring warmth to gatherings and are an easy way to create memorable moments. Give them a try at your next celebration — you’ll likely find, as I did, that simple techniques and a few thoughtful details make all the difference.