5 Best Hershey’s Cookies Recipes You Must Try (Easy, Gooey, & Irresistible!)

Introduction

Picture this: a plate of warm, freshly baked cookies, their edges golden and crisp, their centers soft and studded with melting Hershey’s chocolate. Whether you’re a cookie purist or a chocolate fanatic, these Hershey’s cookies are your new obsession. Fun fact: Hershey’s Kisses were originally hand-wrapped by workers until 1921—now, they’re the star of these recipes that take minutes to make but taste like they’ve been perfected for decades.

Perfect for after-school snacks, holiday cookie swaps, or midnight cravings, these recipes are foolproof, affordable, and guaranteed to make you the MVP of dessert night. Think of them as the upgraded, chocolate-packed siblings of your grandma’s classic cookies. Ready to bake your way to happiness? Let’s roll (dough)!

What Are Hershey’s Cookies?

Why Hershey’s cookies? Because regular chocolate chips just can’t compete with that iconic, creamy Hershey’s melt! These cookies are all about celebrating America’s favorite chocolate in every form—Kisses, bars, cocoa powder, you name it. Rumor has it the name was coined by a 1950s home baker who swore that stuffing Hershey’s bars into cookie dough saved her marriage. (Hey, “the way to the heart is through the stomach,” right?) Skeptical? Bake a batch and prepare to rename your dessert menu “Hershey’s Heaven.”

Why You’ll Love These Recipes

1. Chocolate Nirvana: Each recipe doubles down on cocoa goodness—think molten Kisses, crunchy Crunch bars, and velvety caramel swirls.
2. Budget Bliss: A $4 bag of Hershey’s Kisses makes 48 cookies. Compare that to $3 per bakery cookie—cha-ching!
3. Endless Customization: Add pretzels, drizzle with caramel, or sprinkle with flaky salt. Your kitchen, your rules!

1. Classic Hershey’s Kisses Thumbprint Cookies

Quick Overview: Buttery shortbread hugs a melted Hershey’s Kiss. Simple, nostalgic, and always a hit.
Prep Time: 15 mins | Bake Time: 10 mins | Total Time: 25 mins

Key Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 24 Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl until fluffy.
3. Mix in flour until dough forms. Roll into 1-inch balls.
4. Press your thumb into each ball to create a well. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
5. Immediately press a Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. Let cool before serving.

Pro Tip: Chill dough for 20 minutes to prevent spreading.

2. Hershey’s Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Quick Overview: Fudgy, chewy, and packed with chopped Hershey’s bars. Chocolate overload achieved!
Prep Time: 10 mins | Bake Time: 12 mins | Total Time: 22 mins

Key Ingredients:

• 1 box devil’s food cake mix
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup chopped Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Combine cake mix, oil, and eggs in a bowl. Fold in chopped chocolate and chips.
3. Scoop 1.5-tbsp dough balls onto baking sheets. Bake 10–12 minutes.
4. Let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.

Pair With: A glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

3. Hershey’s Crunch Bar Cookies

Quick Overview: Crispy rice meets chocolate bars in this crunchy, kid-friendly cookie.
Prep Time: 15 mins | Bake Time: 9 mins | Total Time: 24 mins

Key Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 4 Hershey’s Crunch Bars (chopped)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Cream butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt. Fold in Crunch Bar pieces.
4. Scoop dough onto baking sheets. Bake 9–11 minutes.

Pro Tip: Add ½ cup toasted almonds for extra crunch.

4. Hershey’s Peanut Butter Blossoms

Quick Overview: Peanut butter dough + Hershey’s Kisses = a match made in cookie heaven.
Prep Time: 20 mins | Bake Time: 8 mins | Total Time: 28 mins

Key Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 36 Hershey’s Kisses

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Cream peanut butter, butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt. Roll dough into 1-inch balls.
4. Bake 8–10 minutes. Press a Kiss into each cookie immediately after baking.

Pro Tip: Roll dough balls in sugar before baking for a sparkly finish.

5. Hershey’s Chocolate Caramel Thumbprint Cookies

Quick Overview: Gooey caramel meets Hershey’s chocolate in this decadent mashup.
Prep Time: 20 mins | Bake Time: 12 mins | Total Time: 32 mins

Key Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 24 soft caramel candies
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 24 Hershey’s Kisses

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cream butter and sugar. Mix in egg yolk and vanilla.
3. Stir in flour and cocoa powder. Roll dough into balls and create thumbprint wells.
4. Bake 10–12 minutes. Melt caramels with cream, then spoon into cookie wells. Top with a Kiss.

Pro Tip: Sprinkle with sea salt for a sweet-salty kick.

What to Serve With Hershey’s Cookies

• Drinks: Hot cocoa, spiced chai, or a bold espresso.
• Sides: Fresh strawberries, whipped cream, or a charcuterie board with sharp cheeses.

Top Tips for Perfect Cookies

1. Weigh Flour: Use a kitchen scale (1 cup = 120g) for accuracy.
2. Don’t Overmix: Stir until just combined for tender cookies.
3. Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures even baking.

Storing & Reheating

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freeze Dough: Portion into balls and freeze for 3 months. Bake straight from frozen (add 1–2 extra minutes).
• Revive Stale Cookies: Microwave for 8 seconds or place in a 300°F oven for 2 minutes.

Conclusion

From crunchy to gooey, peanut butter to caramel, these Hershey’s cookies are your ultimate baking toolkit. Tag us on Instagram with your creations—we’ll feature our favorites! 🍫

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