Spiced Cappuccino Kiss Cookies

Now you may be thinking, Carolyn, you don't like coffee. Why in the world would you make these cookies? First off, just because I'm making something doesn't mean I'm going to enjoy it. Secondly, if I don't like what I make, then I won't be tempted to snack on it all day! It's a sneaky diet plan. That said, several people who don't like coffee tried these and said they could barely taste the coffee in them. So maybe I should have tried them?

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup sugar, divided
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 1/2 tsp instant espresso powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 24 Hugs Hershey Kisses

Beat butter, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, espresso powder, and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Refrigerate, covered, until firm enough to shape, about 1 hour. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cinnamon and remaining sugar. Shape dough into 24 1-inch balls; roll in cinnamon sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. 

Bake until lightly browned, 10-12 minutes. Immediately top with chocolate kisses, pressing lightly. Cool slightly on pans before removing to wire racks to cool. 

NOTES: these aren't cookies that spread out a lot on your cookie sheet so you don't have to space them very much at all. However, they are VERY gooey. I definitely left them in the fridge for an hour and I think they were just as gooey as when I put them in. Now, I did make a double batch so maybe it just couldn't chill all the way through? It worked out fine in the end (once you try to roll it in cinnamon sugar, it gets less sticky), but be prepared. 

Makes 2 dozen

Prep Time: 30 minutes plus 1 hour chilling

Total Time: 45 minutes, plus 1 hour chilling

Recipe from Taste of Home