Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup very finely chopped walnuts (about 4 ounces)
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (215 grams)
Filling & Coating
- 30 Hershey's Kisses, unwrapped (about 3/4 of a 10.2 ounce package)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Mix dough & chill: In a stand mixer fitted with a beater blade or using a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and continue beating for about 20 seconds until well combined. Next, on low speed, mix in the finely chopped walnuts, followed by the all-purpose flour until just incorporated. Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for one hour to firm up.
- Prepare to bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop or measuring spoon, portion out tablespoons of dough.
- Form cookies with hidden kiss: Take each dough portion and gently roll it around a single unwrapped Hershey's Kiss. You can either smoosh the dough slightly in your palm, insert the Kiss point-first, and then wrap the dough completely around it, ensuring the chocolate is fully hidden. Alternatively, press the dough flat, place the Kiss on top, and wrap the dough around, which helps keep the Kiss right-side up. Make sure to smooth the dough to securely encase the chocolate.
- Bake cookies: Arrange the formed cookies on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-11 minutes, or until they are set and the bottoms turn just lightly golden brown.
- Cool & dust with powdered sugar: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about five minutes to firm up further. Meanwhile, place the powdered sugar in a bowl. Gently roll or dust each cookie in powdered sugar, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Be sure the butter is fully softened to achieve a smooth, fluffy dough.
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and helps the cookies maintain shape around the chocolate centers.
- Spacing cookies adequately on the baking sheet avoids them merging during baking.
- Rolling cookies in powdered sugar while warm adds a delicate sweetness and attractive finish.
- If you prefer a different chocolate, you can substitute the Hershey's Kisses with other small chocolates of similar size.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Cookie
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
