Grinch Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’ve come to the right place! Today, I’m sharing my favorite Grinch Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe—a magical little cookie that’s stuffed with chocolate, topped with a cute heart, and dyed the perfect shade of Grinchy green. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll steal your heart faster than the Grinch himself!

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Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Grinch Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe come together to create such festive magic. The ready-made sugar cookie mix saves you time without sacrificing flavor, and the green gel food coloring gives that iconic bright Grinch hue without changing the texture. Each ingredient plays a vital role, so here are some thoughts as you shop!

• Sugar cookie mix: This is your base and shortcut—it’s easy and ensures perfect cookie flavor.
• All-purpose flour: Added for sturdiness so your cookie cups hold shape, especially with the candy inside.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture—make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
• Large egg: Mixes with the green food coloring for even color throughout the dough.
• Green gel food coloring: Use gel, not liquid, for that vibrant color without thinning your dough.
• Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped): The hidden center of pure chocolate goodness—tip: keep them upright when stuffing.
• Heart candy sprinkles: A sweet, seasonal finishing touch that adds charm and color.

Make It Your Way

I love how versatile this Grinch Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe can be. Besides the classic version, I sometimes swap out the sprinkles or experiment with different Hershey’s Kiss flavors like caramel or almond. You can really make it your own and tailor it to your taste or holiday vibe.

• Variation: Once, I tried white chocolate Hershey’s Kisses inside, which added a lovely contrast and creaminess—definitely try it if you want a twist!
• Dietary twist: For gluten-free fans, a gluten-free sugar cookie mix works surprisingly well here, just keep an eye on the texture.
• Holiday flair: Swap the heart sprinkles with red, green, or gold nonpareils for a Christmas party – instant showstopper!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Grinch Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Color Mixing

First things first — preheat your oven to 375°F and prep a mini muffin tin by lightly spraying it with baker’s spray or lining it with paper mini cups. This helps your cookie cups pop out cleanly later. For the bright green color that’s all Grinch, whisk your egg and green gel food coloring together in a small bowl until the color is totally combined with the egg—it really helps the dough turn out evenly green instead of patchy.

Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough

Next, in a large bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, all-purpose flour, softened unsalted butter, and your vibrant green egg mixture. Use a handheld mixer on low for about 2 to 3 minutes until everything’s fully incorporated—your dough will be thick and dense but that’s exactly what you want. Don’t overmix; just enough to blend everything smoothly.

Step 3: Form and Fill Your Cookie Cups

Using a 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop (or a rounded tablespoon), scoop dough balls and flatten each into roughly a 3-inch disc in your palm. Now here’s the fun part: place a Hershey’s Kiss directly in the center of the disc, making sure it stays upright, and carefully wrap the dough around it to seal completely. It’s okay if the dough cracks a little—just pinch gently to seal.

Step 4: Bake and Decorate

Place each stuffed dough ball into your mini muffin cups, making sure the Hershey’s Kiss stays standing upright so it melts inside perfectly. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep a close eye — you want them to be just set, not browned. When they come out hot and tempting, gently press a heart candy sprinkle just off-center on top of each cookie cup. Let them cool for 10 minutes in the pan before moving to a wire rack to cool completely; this rest time helps them hold their adorable shape.

How to Serve Grinch Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe

Garnishes

I’m all about keeping things cute but simple, so the heart candy sprinkles are my go-to—they add just the right pop of color and a little extra sweetness that screams holiday cheer. Sometimes I’ll dust a little powdered sugar for a frosty look, especially if it’s Christmas Eve and I want to make these cookies feel extra special.

Side Dishes

These cookie cups pair wonderfully with a warm mug of cocoa or peppermint hot chocolate—the creaminess balances the sweet, buttery flavor beautifully. I also love setting them alongside a festive fruit platter to brighten up a holiday dessert table without weighing things down.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve arranged these Grinch Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe on a tiered dessert stand surrounded by pine sprigs and tiny fairy lights—it always garners “oohs” and “aahs.” Wrapping a few individually in cellophane with green ribbons makes them perfect little gifts or stocking stuffers. Trust me, presentation takes this from just a delicious cookie to an unforgettable experience!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and fresh for about 3-4 days — if you notice they start to lose their moisture, warming them slightly helps bring back that just-baked softness.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cookie cups wrapped individually in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer-safe container. They freeze beautifully and thaw overnight in the fridge. When you’re ready for a treat, pop them in the oven at 325°F for 5 minutes or so to refresh that freshly-baked feeling.

Reheating

To reheat, I gently warm them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes — just enough to warm but not dry them out. If you want that melty Hershey’s Kiss center to shine again, try heating right before serving!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

These Grinch Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Kisses Recipe have become my go-to treat whenever I want to wow at holiday parties or simply enjoy a cozy bake-at-home moment. There’s just something so joyful about sneaking that melted chocolate center and that vibrant green color that makes every bite a celebration. I can’t wait for you to give them a try—and I’m pretty sure once you do, they’ll become a staple in your festive baking lineup, too. Happy baking, friends!

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