Christmas Kiss Cookies

Ingredients

• 12 Tablespoons unsalted butter (softened )
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup light or dark brown sugar (firmly packed)
• 4 large eggs (room temperature preferred)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup natural cocoa powder
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon table salt
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
• 36 candy cane Hershey kisses (unwrapped (or your favorite christmas kiss))

Steps

1. 1

   Combine butter and sugars In a large mixing bowl and use an electric mixer to beat together until light, fluffy, and well-creamed.

2. 2

   Add eggs one at a time, stirring after each addition to be sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next.

3. 3

   Stir in vanilla extract.

4. 4

   In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and table salt.

5. 5

   Gradually add dry ingredients into wet and stir together until completely combined.

6. 6

   Add mini chocolate chips and stir to distribute.

7. 7

   Cover bowl of dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 3 days.

8. 8

   When you’re almost ready to bake, preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

9. 9

   Remove dough from refrigerator and scoop 1 ½ Tablespoon sized ball of dough and roll gently with your palms to create a smooth ball. Roll through powdered sugar to evenly coat the entire ball of dough.

10. 10

    Transfer cookie dough to prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies at least 2” (5cm) apart. Transfer to center rack of 350F (175C) oven and bake for 9-10 minutes.

11. 11

    Immediately after removing cookies from oven, gently press one hershey kiss into the center of each cookie.

12. 12

    Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheet before enjoying (note that the hershey kisses will take quite a while to resolidify completely)!