1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking.

This will allow the cookies to bake evenly and give them the perfect texture as they come out of the oven. Preparing your baking sheets ahead of time will save you time once the cookie dough is ready.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this bowl aside, as you’ll be adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients later.

The cocoa powder is essential for giving the cookies their signature red velvet flavor, and the baking soda will help the dough rise and spread as it bakes. Make sure to sift the cocoa powder to avoid any clumps in the dough.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture is light and fluffy.

This step is crucial for creating the right texture in your cookies. The butter and sugar mixture should be smooth and pale, which means the sugar is well incorporated and the cookies will have a soft, chewy texture once baked.

4. Add the Wet Ingredients

Once the butter and sugar are fully creamed together, add the egg, milk, red food coloring, vanilla extract, and white vinegar to the mixture. Beat on low speed until all ingredients are fully incorporated.

The red food coloring will give the cookies their signature deep red hue, while the vinegar reacts with the baking soda to give the cookies a slight rise and ensure they have the perfect texture. The milk will add moisture, making the dough easy to work with.

5. Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together and forms a soft, slightly sticky texture. If the dough seems too sticky to handle, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it reaches a manageable consistency.

The dough should be soft and pliable but not too sticky. If necessary, use your hands to finish incorporating the flour and cocoa powder into the dough.

6. Form the Cookie Dough Balls

Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion out the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Roll each ball of dough between your hands to create a smooth, even ball.

Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one to allow for spreading during baking.

7. Bake the Cookies

Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should look slightly puffed and set around the edges but still soft in the center.

It’s important not to over-bake these cookies, as you want them to remain soft and chewy. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet, so take them out of the oven while they are still slightly underdone in the center.

8. Top the Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses

Once the cookies are out of the oven, immediately place a Hershey’s Kiss in the center of each cookie. Gently press down on the kiss so that it sticks to the cookie, but be careful not to press too hard or the cookie might break apart.

The warm cookies will soften the chocolate kiss, allowing it to meld beautifully with the red velvet cookie base. If you prefer, you can use other types of Hershey’s chocolate kisses, such as caramel-filled, peanut butter, or even special holiday flavors.

9. Cool the Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This gives the Hershey’s Kisses time to firm up and makes it easier to remove the cookies from the baking sheets.

While the cookies are cooling, the chocolate kiss will solidify a bit, but the inside will remain soft and melty. This combination of warm, gooey chocolate and soft, chewy cookie is what makes these Hershey’s Red Velvet Blossoms so irresistible.

10. Serve and Enjoy

Once the cookies have cooled completely, they are ready to be enjoyed! The bright red color and shiny Hershey’s Kiss on top make them a visually stunning treat, while the combination of cocoa, butter, and chocolate is sure to satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth.

These cookies are perfect for holiday parties, gift-giving, or as a special treat to enjoy with a glass of milk or hot cocoa.