Nothing says sweet love quite like my Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hugs Recipe. These bite-sized treats combine a soft, buttery sugar cookie with a melty Hershey’s hug center—trust me, they’re little pockets of joy perfect for sharing!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hugs Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hugs Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hugs Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I absolutely adore making these cookie cups around Valentine’s Day—there’s something magical about revealing that surprise chocolate hug at the center. Every batch ends with smiles and requests for “just one more!”
- Easy to Make: Even if you don’t bake often, the simple cookie mix and step-by-step shaping make this a breeze.
- Perfectly Portable: These mini cookie cups are great for gift-giving or packing in lunchboxes.
- Customizable Colors: Add pink or red food coloring to match your Valentine’s theme effortlessly.
- Fun Presentation: Optional sprinkles give these cookie cups an extra festive charm.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Gathering your ingredients is half the fun here! I recommend picking a good-quality sugar cookie mix as it creates a reliable base, and those Hershey’s hugs bring the perfect melty center you’ll want every time.
- Sugar cookie mix: The foundation of our cookie cups—makes these soft, chewy, and buttery without fuss.
- Salted butter: Adds richness and tender texture to the dough; melting it helps with easy mixing.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and stability to the cookie cups while keeping them soft.
- Large egg: Acts as a binder, helping the dough hold together perfectly around the chocolate.
- Pink or red food coloring: Gives that adorable Valentine’s Day vibe—add as much or as little as you like!
- Hershey’s hugs: The star of the show! These delicious chocolates create the gooey surprise inside each cookie cup.
- Decorative sprinkles: Totally optional but such a fun way to personalize and prettify your treats.
Make It Your Way
Feel free to get creative and make these Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hugs Recipe truly your own. Whether you're whipping them up for a cozy night in or gifting them to someone special, small tweaks can add that perfect personal touch.
- Variation: For a fun twist, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or a drop of vanilla extract to the cookie dough. I love how it adds an extra layer of warmth that pairs beautifully with the chocolate hug center.
- Dietary Twist: To make these gluten-free, swap the sugar cookie mix for a certified gluten-free blend, and ensure your sprinkles are gluten-free as well. The texture stays wonderfully soft!
- Seasonal Flair: Beyond Valentine’s Day, you can swap the sprinkles for orange and black or green and purple ones to suit Halloween or St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
- Color Play: Play around with different food coloring shades; pastel pinks or even soft purples can elevate the cookie cups for an Easter treat.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hugs Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare with Love
Begin by spraying a mini cupcake pan with cooking spray; this little prep helps the cookie cups release effortlessly after baking. Then, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature ensures a lovely balance—a nicely set outside with a soft, chewy center.
Step 2: Whisk Together Your Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, melted butter, all-purpose flour, egg, and just the right amount of pink or red food coloring to match your Valentine’s vibe. Beat gently until everything is just blended—overmixing can stiffen the dough, and we want these soft and tender.
Step 3: Shape and Encase the Sweet Surprise
Take about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it roughly to the size of your palm. Nestle an unwrapped Hershey’s hug in the center, then carefully wrap the dough around it, sealing any cracks to keep that chocolate hug nicely tucked inside. If cracks appear, gently smooth them with your fingers—this keeps the cookie cups intact after baking.
Step 4: Bake and Beautify
Place each dough-wrapped hug upright into the coated mini cupcake pan. Once all are nestled, pop the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges look set but still soft to the touch. Right after removing from the oven, press your favorite decorative sprinkles onto the warm cookie cups—this helps them stick and adds that extra festive flourish.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Patience here pays off! Let your cookie cups cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. This rest time helps them firm up, making them easier to remove without falling apart. Then, share, savor, and spread the love with every bite of these delightful Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups.
Top Tip
These tips will help you bake perfect Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hugs every time — ensuring they come out soft, gooey, and adorable for your special occasion.
- Seal the Dough Well: When wrapping the cookie dough around the Hershey’s hug, gently press and smooth out any cracks. This keeps the chocolate center neatly enclosed and prevents leaks while baking.
- Cool Before Removing: Allowing the cookie cups to cool in the pan for 15 minutes really helps them set up and hold their shape without falling apart.
- Use Decorative Sprinkles: Press sprinkles onto warm cookie cups right after baking. It helps them stick better and gives your treats a festive, colorful charm perfect for Valentine’s Day.
- Avoid Overbaking: Keep an eye on your cookie cups during the 10-12 minute bake time. Pull them out as soon as the outside looks set to maintain a soft, chewy texture.
How to Serve Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hugs Recipe
Garnishes
For a delightful presentation, top your Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with colorful sprinkles, mini heart candies, or edible glitter that complement the pink and red food coloring. Fresh raspberries or a light dusting of powdered sugar can add an elegant touch without overpowering the sweet Hershey’s hugs inside.
Side Dishes
Serve these bite-sized cookie cups alongside a warm cup of hot cocoa or a creamy latte for a cozy Valentine’s Day treat. They also pair beautifully with fresh fruit platters or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to turn these cookies into a festive dessert platter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to two weeks. This makes them wonderful for prepping ahead for your celebration or gifting to friends and family.
Freezing
For longer storage, wrap each cookie cup individually and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They freeze beautifully for 5-6 months without losing their charm or flavor. Just be sure to thaw them at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
If you prefer your cookie cups warmed, pop them in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. This will gently melt the chocolate inside while keeping the cookie soft and inviting.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can substitute other bite-sized chocolates like kisses or mini peanut butter cups, but keep in mind that different chocolates may affect baking time and filling texture slightly.
The dough can be a bit stiff when wrapping, which causes small cracks. Don’t worry—simply press and smooth them gently with your fingers to seal the dough completely before baking.
You could try substituting the sugar cookie mix with a gluten-free version, but results may vary. Make sure your mix is intended for cookies to keep the right texture.
Keep an eye on the bake time—10 to 12 minutes at 350°F is perfect. Remove them once the cookie dough looks set on the outside but still soft inside for that ideal chewy texture.
Final Thoughts
Baking these Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hugs is such a joyful way to celebrate affection and sweetness all at once. They’re easy enough to make for a fun activity, yet impressive enough to share with loved ones. Whether you’re gifting them, sharing at a party, or indulging in a quiet moment, these cookie cups truly bring a little extra love to every bite.
Print
Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hugs Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cooling Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 25 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Celebrate love with these delightful Valentine's Day Cookie Cups, featuring a soft, chewy, buttery sugar cookie base wrapped around a sweet Hershey’s hug center. Perfect bite-sized treats with optional decorative sprinkles add charm and sweetness to your special occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 17.5 ounce package sugar cookie mix
- ½ cup salted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- Pink or red food coloring, to desired color
Filling and Toppings
- 24-26 Hershey’s hugs, unwrapped
- Decorative sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Spray a mini cupcake pan with cooking spray and preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure even baking.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, melted butter, all-purpose flour, egg, and food coloring. Beat until just combined, adjusting the food coloring to achieve your preferred shade.
- Shape Cookie Cups: Take about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough and flatten it with your hand or a rolling pin to about the size of your palm. Place an unwrapped Hershey’s hug in the center, then wrap and form the dough completely around the chocolate to create a ball.
- Place in Pan: Set the dough balls upright into the prepared mini cupcake pan cavities. Repeat until all dough is used.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the cookie dough looks set on the outside.
- Add Sprinkles: Remove the pan from the oven carefully and immediately press decorative sprinkles onto the warm cookie cups to help them adhere.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookie cups cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing and serving to ensure they hold their shape.
Notes
- Allow cookie cups to cool for about 15 minutes in the pan before removing to prevent them from falling apart.
- If any cracks form in the dough while wrapping around the Hershey’s hugs, gently press and smooth the dough to seal the cracks.
- Use festive sprinkles such as hearts or flowers to add a charming decorative touch.
- Store cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
- For long-term storage, individually wrap cookie cups and freeze them in a freezer-safe container for 5-6 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie cup
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
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