It’s crunch time people. The final days where stuffing your face with christmas cookies is still socially acceptable.
Milk it for all it’s worth.
I’ll admit I’ve made some pretty darn delicious cookies this year, but these may just be the best of the lot.
I first came across the elusive Mint Truffle Kiss during our excursion to Hershey’s kitchens. Where better to find these magical bites than where they were born? Anyway, a bag came home with me, although at the time I didn’t quite realize what I had discovered. I was, I think, expecting more of a minty flavored chocolate rather than a creme-de-menthe filled confection. They’re like Andes mints in the shape of Kisses. Once I realized this, well, let’s just say that bag didn’t last long.
Two Krogers, a Walgreens, and a Publix later… I had four more bags. And don’t be surprised if I make another run before they disappear for good.
I knew that I had to turn some of these Kisses into the ultimate Christmas cookie.
The cookie base I used is basically a soft chocolate sugar cookie. I’m not one to add cream cheese willy nilly to things (in fact, you could call me somewhat cream cheese averse,) but there isn’t a hint of it in the final cookie other than a delicate, pillowy texture that stays soft for days (not that they’ll last that long, but still).
I first set out to make a chocolate mint version of the classic Peanut Butter Blossom, but soon discovered that stuffing the cookies was where it’s at. They look all innocent on the outside, and then BAM! Mint truffle EXPLOSION.
Sorry for the outburst. I think all the sugar has gone to my head.
Chocolate Mint Truffle Cookies
Soft chocolate sugar cookie recipe stuffed with mint truffle kisses for an unexpected minty surprise!
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
- 1/4 cup (2 ounces) regular cream cheese, room temperature
- 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 36 Hershey’s Mint Truffle Kisses, unwrapped
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, cream cheese and melted butter in a large bowl and whisk until mixture forms a smooth paste. Whisk in oil. Add egg, milk, and vanilla extract and stir until smooth. Fold in flour mixture until all flour is incorporated and no dry ingredients remain.
- Pour 1/4 cup or so of sugar into a small bowl. Dough will be soft, but should still be workable. If not, refrigerate it for 15 to 20 minutes until it is. Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out about 2 tablespoons of dough. Press a kiss in the center, shape into a ball around it, then roll in sugar to coat. Arrange on prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
- Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, until cookies are set and cracked. Cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Cookie base adapted from Cooks Illustrated via the Craving Chronicles.
All images and text ©Lindsay Landis / Love & Olive OilDid you make this recipe?
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Have you ever frozen these?
Sure, they’d freeze great either unbaked or baked!
Amazing!! Some of the best cookies I’ve ever had. Years ago I used to make a chocolate shortbread cookie with a mint kiss in the middle. I’ve lost the recipe but when I saw this I thought it may be similar. It’s not identical but it’s absolutely wonderful! I used Hershey’s bells with mint fudge center’s instead as they are milk and not dark chocolate. Thanks for the recipe!! It will be a favorite!
Made this cookie as a test run for an upcoming cookie exchange. Everyone loved them!! These are really very good cookies, especially around the holidays! Will be making more!
Yay, so glad you enjoyed!! :)
I’ve made these cookies before and everyone who ate them loved them. Would like to make them again for Christmas. Can these cookies be frozen if made a couple of weeks ahead?
I might suggest making the dough, shaping it into balls, and freezing that. Then bake them up fresh when you need them. :)
Can you omit the cream cheese part? and If so, can or should you substitute it with something else?
I’ve substituted it with goat cheese before, which works but the cream cheese keeps the cookies much softer. It’s one of the secrets that makes these cookies so soft. :)
I just made these cookies and they are absolutely AWESOME!!! I left the first batch in the oven a little too long and the bottom got a little too brown but it didn’t affect the taste at all. Just be careful not to overbake as it doesn’t take long for them to be done. Not only did the mint truffle add the awesomeness to this recipe but the cookie recipe itself is DIVINE. It is soft like a brownie and the taste is WOW! It definitely is a mint truffle explosion and a pleasant surprise when you bite into this wonderful cookie. I will be making these cookies from now on along with my family’s other favorites. Thank you for sharing the recipe as well as the photos.
My grocery store didn’t have mint kisses so I bought ghiradelli mint chips. They didn’t melt… I baked them as directed. Help?
Unfortunately the mint kisses are quite unique. And whatever is in the center doesn’t actually melt, but rather stays suspended in the center of the cookie. I think using a different kind of kiss would be a better alternative, I know they have some cherry or caramel filled ones that I think would be a nice variation. :)
Does this dough roll out easily? I want to make cut-out decorated cookies and this dough sounds delicious!
It’s a softer dough that flattens and spreads during cooking, so I don’t think it’d be suitable for roll-out cookies. It’s not chocolate, but these are my absolute favorite cut out sugar cookie recipe: http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2010/12/vanilla-almond-sugar-cookies.html
These look amazing! I can’t wait to try them. If I can’t find the kisses, do you think Andes mints would work? Also can I make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it? Thanks!
Late to the game so I missed out on those Hershey kisses but I managed to stuff some Andes mints in there and they’re delicious! Thanks!
Hey Anu, with the Andes mint they work out fine? I would love to try to make this, unfortunately we dont have Hershey’s mint kisses in Malaysia.
Just made a bunch of these and these are too die for, delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I ran to Target for day after Christmas sale candy just to buy the truffle kisses for these cookies. I lucked out and got 3 bags. After trying these cookies, however, it is apparent that I should have bought every bag they had. YUM. Thanks for a wonderful recipe.
oh wow i’m speechless…
I just made these and they are amazing! Could use a little more chocolate flavor, but amazing taste and texture… A great recipe! Thanks so much!
These look amazing! Can’t wait to try them soon- can’t have enough cookies around the holidays!
Love the look of these and the pictures are fantastic. Wish we got Hersey’s chocolate here in the UK!
For the record, I’ve made two batches of these cookies in the last two days. I’m trying to keep them around long enough to take to my mom’s for Christmas Eve dinner, but the wife and kids keep demolishing them.
Mixing Christmas candy with Christmas cookies is the best. This recipe is a winner. And now I am off to the store to get some Mint kisses :)
Anche io ho fatto questi biscotti con un’ altro ripieno, solo buonissimi forse i più buoni che ho fatto.
Mi stuzzica anche la variante che hai proposto te, credo proprio di provarli.
Complimenti per il tuo blog è carinissimo!!
Ciao ciao
These look amazing and so delicious. The middle is to die for.
These look amazing! I was just complaining the other day on Twitter that I can’t find those Kisses here anymore. We had them for 2 Christmases and now nothing. Boo!
But if I find a bag or manage to get someone to take pity on me and send me some, I will make these cookies in a heartbeat!
These look wonderful, but I don’t see chocolate in the ingredients. How much and what kind do you use?
Just cocoa powder. It’s there, just below the flour.
Looks delish! Very clever to put the kiss inside – def trying this recipe! Glad I stumbled on your blog, I’ll be back for sure :)
This looks really amazing!
So I thought I was done baking today and then I saw these cookies. Hello yummy! I think I’m gonna have to get back in the kitchen and bake these with some Hershey’s HUGS inside.
wow- these are AMAZING cookies!
Gorgeous cookies. Anything stuffed is an automatic win! I love stuffing the Kiss rather than just perching it on top. Way smarter!
I’d never think to squish a whole Hershey’s kiss into a cookie. Genious!
I’ve got to try these! I hate it when your little blossoms puddle, making them this way would def fix that problem!
What a fabolous cookie!!! I love mint and I can only imagine how wonderful it must taste with a kiss in the middle!
I’m not a huge mint fan, but I have a feeling these cookies would change my mind. :)
I need a dozen of these in my life now! I will definitely be on the hunt for these kisses.
Yum! I may make these tonight!
These look heavenly!!
Love love LOVE these cookies! :)
These look unreal!
Love love love…sigh, all of their kiss varieties are so good. Right now I’m obsessed with the candy cane ones!