Name: Cherry Blossom Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter softened (2 sticks); 1 cup powdered sugar; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice; ½ teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract; 2 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup maraschino cherries finely chopped and drained; 2-4 drops red food coloring (optional); ¼ cup granulated sugar for rolling; 24 Hershey’s Kisses unwrapped

If you’re craving something buttery and uniquely sweet, you’re going to adore this Cherry Blossom Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe. These soft, pink-hued gems combine maraschino cherry juice, almond extract, and that iconic Hershey’s Kiss for a treat that’s as charming as it is delicious.

A white plate with a decorative pattern is filled with many small round pink cookies that have red flecks inside them. Each cookie has a smooth, shiny dollop of brown chocolate in the center. The cookies look soft with slight cracks on the surface. Bright red cherries with stems are scattered between the cookies, adding a fresh contrast. The plate is on a white marbled surface, and two round chocolates appear nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Blossom Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cherry Blossom Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cherry Blossom Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I baked these cherry blossom cookies — the scent of cherry and almond in the kitchen was instantly comforting, and that pop of a Hershey’s Kiss on top just made them irresistible to everyone who tried them.

Delightfully Soft Texture: These cookies melt in your mouth with a tender, buttery crumb that’s simply addictive.
Beautiful Presentation: The gentle pink tint and glossy Hershey’s Kisses make these cookies perfect for gifting or special occasions.
Balanced Flavors: The subtle almond extract paired with maraschino cherry juice creates a unique, nostalgic flavor combo.
Simple to Make: With straightforward ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up a batch in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When you shop for this recipe, pick high-quality unsalted butter and nicely drained maraschino cherries to keep the dough from getting too wet. A touch of almond extract brings that signature hint of fragrance that truly makes these cookies stand out.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with powdered sugar, a few grains of salt scattered nearby, a small white ceramic bowl containing deep red maraschino cherry juice, a small white ceramic bowl with pale almond extract, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl holding finely chopped bright red maraschino cherries, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, and a neat cluster of whole Hershey’s Kisses chocolates with shiny silver wrappers, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Using softened, unsalted butter lets you control the saltiness and ensures a creamy base for the cookies.
Powdered sugar: This adds a tender sweetness and helps create that soft melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
Maraschino cherry juice: This is where the cookies get their lovely cherry flavor and subtle pink tint.
Almond extract or vanilla extract: Almond extract gives that classic cherry-almond combo; vanilla works too if you prefer a milder flavor.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure — and you can adjust the amount slightly to get the dough just right.
Maraschino cherries: Finely chopped and well-drained to distribute bursts of sweet cherry flavor throughout.
Red food coloring (optional): A few drops create a beautiful pink shade that enhances the cookie’s visual appeal.
Granulated sugar: Used for rolling the dough balls — the sugar coating adds a subtle crunchy exterior.
Hershey’s Kisses: The iconic chocolate kiss crowns each cookie with a luscious finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the joys of baking Cherry Blossom Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe is how easy it is to personalize them to your taste and occasion. Whether you want to dial up the cherry flavor or explore new extracts, these cookies offer a wonderful canvas for creativity.

Almond Lover’s Dream: Swap the almond extract for a little more cherry or even vanilla extract for a softer, more classic cookie aroma. I find the almond adds a lovely nutty note, but vanilla turns it into a more subtle crowd-pleaser.
Festive Red Touch: Adding 2-4 drops of red food coloring not only makes the cookies pop with a pretty pink hue but also makes for an eye-catching holiday treat. I like to use this for Valentine’s Day or Christmas gifting.
Cherry-Chocolate Twist: For a richer treat, try using dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses instead of the traditional milk chocolate. The bittersweet chocolate pairs beautifully with the sweet cherries.
Cherry Blossom Vegan Version: Though this recipe uses butter, plant-based alternatives can be substituted to create a vegan-friendly option. Just keep in mind the texture may vary slightly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Blossom Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe

A white plate shows a stack of pink cookies with small red cherry pieces mixed inside. The top cookie is broken in half, revealing a thick, smooth dark brown chocolate layer inside. On top of some cookies, there is a chocolate kiss sitting in the middle, shining slightly. A shiny red cherry with a green stem lies next to the stack on the plate, which sits on a white marbled surface. The cookies have a soft, crumbly texture and a round, slightly domed shape, with some cookies blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Space and Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures your oven is perfectly warmed by the time your dough is ready. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat—this simple prep makes it so easy to remove your cookies without any sticking or crumbling. Trust me, this small step saves you from a sticky cleanup later!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar to Fluffy Perfection

In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup powdered sugar. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat them until the mixture turns light and fluffy—that’s the key to a tender cookie! This usually takes about 2-3 minutes on medium speed. You’ll notice the color lighten and the texture become creamy, which means you’re ready for the next step.

Step 3: Add Flavor and Color - The Cherry Blossom Magic

Stir in ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice, and ½ teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla extract if you prefer). If you want a pretty pink color, now is the time to add 2 to 4 drops of red food coloring. Mix gently until everything is evenly blended and you see that lovely cherry pink tint spreading through the dough.

Step 4: Flour Time — Gradually Build Your Dough

Slowly add 2 cups of all-purpose flour to your wet mixture. Stir gently, then check the dough’s texture. If it still feels sticky, add up to ½ cup more flour. The goal is a soft, pliable dough that’s not sticky to the touch. Overmixing here can make the cookies tough, so take your time and mix just until combined.

Step 5: Fold in the Chopped Cherries with Care

Gently fold in 1 cup of finely chopped and well-drained maraschino cherries. Make sure they are evenly distributed but try to avoid overworking the dough. This step adds bursts of juicy cherry flavor that beautifully complement the buttery dough, and those little red flecks are part of what makes these cookies so charming.

Step 6: Shape, Coat, and Arrange

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll each into a smooth ball. Then, roll each ball in ¼ cup granulated sugar for a sweet, sparkling coating. Place them about 2 inches apart on your baking sheet—this spacing gives the cookies room to spread without crowding.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Watch for the edges to just start turning light golden brown, while the centers remain soft. This ensures the cookies stay tender and melt-in-your-mouth, exactly as they should be. The aroma of cherry and almond will fill your kitchen—absolute heaven!

Step 8: The Beautiful Finishing Touch — Hershey’s Kisses

As soon as you take the cookies out of the oven, gently press one unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each hot cookie. Press it down slightly so it sticks but still maintains its iconic shape. The warmth will soften the chocolate just enough without melting it completely, creating a gooey, dreamy center.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes so they set perfectly. Then transfer them carefully to a wire rack to cool completely. This cool-down phase helps keep the texture just right: soft, buttery, and wonderfully tender. Now, it’s time to indulge in your beautiful Cherry Blossom Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses!

Top Tip

These tips will make your Cherry Blossom Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe turn out perfectly soft, flavorful, and beautifully decorated every time.

Chill Your Dough: If your dough feels too soft or sticky, chilling it for about 30 minutes before rolling makes shaping the cookies so much easier and prevents spreading too much during baking.
Drain the Cherries Well: Excess moisture from maraschino cherries can make the dough soggy. I learned to pat them dry really well after chopping to keep the texture just right.
Press Kisses While Warm: Always press the Hershey’s Kisses into the cookies immediately after they come out of the oven — this helps them stick nicely without cracking the cookie.
Don’t Skip the Sugar Roll: Rolling the dough balls in granulated sugar before baking adds a delightful crunchy coating that contrasts perfectly with the soft cookie center.

How to Serve Cherry Blossom Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe

A clear glass bowl sits on a white marbled surface, containing a thick beige dough with bright red chopped cherries piled in the center on top. Near the bowl, a white cup filled with whole red cherries is placed on the bottom left, with some scattered cherries around it. Silver-wrapped chocolate kisses are scattered in the top left corner, and a green and white checkered cloth lies folded partially under the bowl on the right side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate your Cherry Blossom Cookies, consider adding a dusting of powdered sugar just before serving for an elegant touch. You can also sprinkle edible dried rose petals or finely chopped pistachios around the plate for a charming presentation that complements the cookies’ delicate almond and cherry flavors.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of green tea or a light, floral herbal tea to highlight the cherry and almond notes. For a more indulgent treat, serve alongside vanilla ice cream or a refreshing glass of sparkling rosé to enjoy a sweet and satisfying snack or dessert experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Cherry Blossom Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh and soft for up to one week. Keeping them properly sealed ensures the cookies maintain their buttery texture and the cherries don’t dry out.

Freezing

If you want to keep these delightful cookies longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container or zip-top bag. Thaw them at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Reheating

To revive the soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture, gently warm the cookies in a preheated 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes. This will refresh their buttery goodness without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute almond extract with vanilla extract in this recipe?

Yes! While almond extract gives that classic flavor reminiscent of cherry blossoms, you can absolutely use vanilla extract if you prefer a milder taste. Both work wonderfully.

Do I need to use red food coloring?

No, red food coloring is completely optional. It's used to give the cookies a lovely pink hue, but your cookies will still taste delicious without it.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?

If your cookies spread more than you'd like, try chilling the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before shaping. Also, make sure your flour measurement is accurate to ensure the dough isn't too soft.

Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make the dough, shape it into balls, and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. This can improve the flavor and make baking day easier.

Final Thoughts

I hope this Cherry Blossom Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe becomes one of your favorite go-to treats—whether for holidays, special occasions, or simply a cozy afternoon snack. Their tender crumb, subtle cherry and almond notes, and that iconic chocolate kiss on top make them truly special. I can’t wait for you to bake, share, and enjoy these delightful cookies with loved ones. Happy baking!