Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe
Introduction
These Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups are a delightful treat perfect for sharing with someone special. Soft sugar cookie cups filled with melted Hershey’s hugs and topped with festive sprinkles make for a fun and delicious dessert that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 17.5 ounce package sugar cookie mix
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- Pink or red food coloring
- 24-26 Hershey’s hugs, unwrapped
- Decorative sprinkles (optional topping)
Instructions
- Step 1: Spray a mini cupcake pan with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat together the sugar cookie mix, melted butter, all-purpose flour, egg, and food coloring until just combined. Adjust the amount of food coloring to achieve your desired shade.
- Step 3: Take about 1 tablespoon of the cookie dough mixture and flatten it with your hand or a rolling pin to roughly the size of your palm.
- Step 4: Place an unwrapped Hershey’s hug in the center of the flattened dough, then wrap the dough around the chocolate to form a ball.
- Step 5: Set each filled dough ball upright into a cavity of the prepared muffin pan. Repeat until all dough is used.
- Step 6: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the outside of the cookie dough looks set and lightly golden.
- Step 7: Remove from the oven and immediately top with decorative sprinkles, if desired.
- Step 8: Allow the cookie cups to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before serving to let them set.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough before mixing.
- Swap red or pink food coloring for natural options like beet juice or freeze-dried strawberry powder.
- Use different wrapped chocolates such as peanut butter cups or caramel-filled candies for variety.
- Adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top after baking can enhance the sweet and salty contrast.
Storage
Store the cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To enjoy them warm, reheat briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Avoid refrigeration as it may dry out the cookies.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make these cookie cups without food coloring?
Yes, you can skip the food coloring if you prefer natural cookie colors. The taste will remain the same, and the treats will still be delicious.
What if I don’t have a mini cupcake pan?
You can try shaping the cookie dough around the candy by hand and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. They won’t be perfectly shaped cups, but will still taste wonderful.
PrintValentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with these delightful Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups featuring soft sugar cookie dough wrapped around creamy Hershey’s Hugs chocolates. These festive, bite-sized treats are perfect for sharing or gifting, with optional decorative sprinkles to add a charming touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24–26 cookie cups 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 17.5 ounce package sugar cookie mix
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- Pink/red food coloring, as needed
Filling & Topping
- 24–26 Hershey’s Hugs, unwrapped
- Decorative sprinkles, optional topping
Instructions
- Prepare Pan and Oven: Spray a mini cupcake pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when your cookie cups are assembled.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, melted butter, all-purpose flour, egg, and pink/red food coloring. Beat together until just combined, adjusting the amount of food coloring to achieve your desired shade.
- Flatten Dough Balls: Take about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough and flatten it to approximately the size of your palm using your hands or a rolling pin, preparing it to wrap around the chocolate.
- Add the Chocolate Center: Place one unwrapped Hershey’s Hug in the center of the flattened dough, then carefully wrap the dough around the chocolate to form a ball, ensuring the chocolate is fully enclosed.
- Place in Pan: Position each dough-wrapped chocolate ball upright into the prepared mini cupcake pan cavities, repeating this process until all dough is used.
- Bake: Bake the cookie cups in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the outsides look set but the cookies remain soft and chewy.
- Add Sprinkles: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the tops of the cookie cups with decorative sprinkles if desired for a festive finish.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookie cups to cool in the pan for 15 minutes to set properly before removing and serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature egg to ensure smooth dough consistency.
- Adjust food coloring gradually to prevent over-coloring the dough.
- Ensure Hershey’s Hugs are fully wrapped in dough to avoid melting through.
- Cool cookie cups completely before removing from the pan to retain shape.
- Store leftover cookie cups in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Valentine’s Day, cookie cups, sugar cookie, Hershey’s Hugs, dessert, festive treats, mini cupcakes
