12 Days of Christmas Baking – Day 1: Hershey’s Kisses Red Velvet Chocolate Blossoms

It’s been a very, very long time since I’ve blogged about my annual 12 Days of Christmas Baking (you can see the last time I blogged here, yes, super ancient ago). I’ve been going strong with this annual tradition for the last 12-13 years, wow — that’s crazy! I usually feature some of my favorite recipes each year (like these jam thumbprints or biscotti) and throw in a few new ones. Some are super easy to whip up, and others take a little bit more time… but overall, you still get a delicious sweet treat. I absolutely love this time of the year, baking goodies and giving them away to whoever will gladly take/eat them. For this year, I am kicking off with a new recipe, these Hershey’s KISSES red velvet chocolate blossoms.

So, what are red velvet chocolate blossoms? They’re just like the classic blossom cookies, cake-like but in a cookie form, and with a twist, added chocolate and red food coloring for that red velvet look. You really can’t go wrong with this cookie; you’ve got two sweet treats in one, the cookie and the chocolate kiss/hug. I love that the recipe asks you to roll your dough ball in sugar, it makes it feel fancy and looks fancy once baked.

As I mentioned before, I’ll be giving these red velvet chocolate blossoms away. My family likes baked goods, but we cannot eat them all. Every year, I usually end up giving these away. Luckily for the last couple of years, our lovely school bus driver and elderly neighbors across the street have been the lucky or unlucky recipients of my annual 12 Days of Christmas Baking. Thank goodness they like baked goods. For any extras I have, I give them away to family and friends or anyone who wants them. I’ve given goodies away in my local Buy Nothing Facebook group — they are amazing. I’m just glad I can give things away and people are willing to take them!

You really can’t go wrong with chocolate candies and cookies. This was the perfect treat to kick off this annual tradition. Below’s the recipe for these red velvet chocolate blossoms if you want to give them a try. Let me know how you like them!

Now… stay tuned for what day 2 will bring!

Hershey’s Kisses Red Velvet Chocolate Blossoms

Author: Mai Cuisine:American Courses:Dessert

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 35 minutesCook time: 9 minutesRest time: 30 minutesTotal time:1 hour 30 minutesServings:32-36 cookiesCalories:300 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

The taste of red velvet cake but in a cookie form with these red velvet blossom cookies.

Ingredients

• 32-36 Hershey’s kisses or hugs
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tbsp red food color (I used this gel food coloring)
• 1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup Hershey’s cocoa
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup sugar for rolling

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove wrappers from candies.
2. Beat butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, egg, milk, red food color, and vanilla in a large bowl until well blended. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; gradually beat into butter mixture, beating until well blended.
3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in decorator’s sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches or so apart.
4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cookie is set (do NOT overbake). Remove from oven; cool for 3 to 4 minutes. Press the candy piece into the center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

Keywords:dessert, cookies, holiday baking, christmas

Recipe courtesy of Hershey’s. This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.