I know, Orange Kiss-Me cookies sound more like a Valentine's Day cookie than a Christmas cookie. Suit yourself. Just make them. They are amazing.
NOTE: A couple of people have reported having problems with these. I have never had a problem with them spreading but I will make them again a couple of times and see if I can figure out what the problem is - stay tuned! Love, Marye - 12/17/2013
NOTE: I have made these cookies several times since the "spreading""spreading" problem was reported. Each time they came out just fine (see image below). I am guessing it is a difference in flour somehow but I am not sure what. I use Central Milling Company Unbleached Organic All Purpose Flour from Costco or King Arthur Unbleached Organic All Purpose flour. You might try baking at 350F. I don't know why some people are having problems. Love, Marye, March `10, 2014
These are your traditional "Blossom" type cookies with a Hershey's Kiss in the center but the dough is flavored with orange so that in each bite you get that orange-chocolate-crumbly-creamy-oh-my response from your mouth. This will require that your hand reaches to the plate again to repeat the process, and so on. Make no mistakes. These are good. I like to use an organic flavoring but use what you like best.
Also, they travel very well. I sent a batch to my son Chris, who is back in Iraq this Christmas (his third time!). He said that they were amazing and he is sworn to protect the United States with his life... would he lie?
Never mind about that math test in 1997....
Anyway, these are a beautiful addition to any cookie platter or cookie exchange and they freeze well, too. The texture is sort of like a chewy shortbread... hard to explain but very delicate and nice.
I love these. They stay a nice light color and the large, white sugar crystals are a wintery touch I think. You can use colored sugar to make them festive or melt a little white chocolate and flip it over the cookie with a fork. Lots of ways to make these look gorgeous.
If the Kiss doesn't seem to want to stay when you press it into the hot cookie just pop the pan back into the oven for a minute or two to help the chocolate get a little melty. Not enough to change the shape but just enough to melt to the cookie on the bottom.
📖 Recipe
Orange Kiss-Me Cookies
Print Rate RecipeIngredients
- White sugar crystals for rolling
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 36 Hershey Kisses or Hugs, , unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F
- Rub the orange zest into the sugar with your fingers to disperse the oils
- Beat the butter, orange extract, and sugar until light and fluffy
- Blend in the flour and salt
- Shape teaspoons of dough into balls and roll in sugar. You can use colored sugar if you like
- Place on a silpat covered baking sheet
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden and puffy
- Remove from oven
- Immediately press a Kiss into the center of the cookie
- Allow to cool completely. (HA! HA!)
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
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Janis says
I had no issues of spreading as others had. I wonder if those who had issues scooped the dough into TEASPOON sized balls per recipe directions?? Just trying to solve the problem...... 🙂
Marye says
That could be. Some people have had great success with these and others have problems ..I'm not sure what the difference is.
Suzanne Ramey says
I made these today I tripled the recipe and only ended up with 3 1/2 dozen cookies I used imperial margarine and didn't haven't problem with the cookie spreading. I rolled my cookies in regular sugar since I didn't any crystallized sugar. They look terrific I won't know what they taste cause I taking them to church to share. Will probably make again if my cookie say that they taste as good as they smell.
Marye Audet says
How did you like them?
Eileen says
Just tried making these and they spread out WAY too much! Should I have refrigerated the dough first before baking?
Marye Audet says
You might want to freeze it first. I don't chill it before baking but heat of the kitchen, how you measured your flour, differences in butter, etc can all contribute to differences.