HELP Me Use up Bags of Hershey Kisses

[CookinginMO/KS]

I was cleaning out my baking supply cupboard this morning and couldn't believe that I stumpled across 8 bags of Hershey kisses that I apparently have stockpiled in the past year. So, I'm wondering if you all have suggestions how to use these (other than the obvious...unwrap and start popping in my mouth)? I'm baking with my mom next weekend and the first thing that comes to mind is the peanut butter cookies with the kisses smushed in the middle. The only thing I'm not certain of is if I freeze the baking we do next weekend, will the kisses get the white streaks from freezing chocolate? Thanks for your ideas!

[badunnin]

Last year I did the thing where you take pretzel rings, put a kiss/hug in the middle (unwrapped, of course! ;)) on a parchment covered cookie sheet. Pop them into the oven for a bit, until they start to get soft. Pull them out and press an M&M into the top.

[GingerPow]

Last year I did the thing where you take pretzel rings, put a kiss/hug in the middle (unwrapped, of course! ;)) on a parchment covered cookie sheet. Pop them into the oven for a bit, until they start to get soft. Pull them out and press an M&M into the top.
What a clever idea! Pretzels and chocolate are one of my favorite combinations. I'm going to make this for a Christmas 'cookie' by using red + green M&M's. Great suggestion Badunnin!

[badunnin]

What a clever idea! Pretzels and chocolate are one of my favorite combinations. I'm going to make this for a Christmas 'cookie' by using red + green M&M's. Great suggestion Badunnin!

I used them in my Christmas cookie tins a few years ago - cheap and fast! Unfortunately, I can only take credit for the suggestion on this thread, not the idea. I actually got it from the board! :D

http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=67408&highlight=pretzel+rings

[gabbyh]

I've made the pretzel treats the past 2 years and the people at work have already started asking if I'll be making them again this year! Love these things!

Nothing like the sweet/salty combo :D

~Gail

[GingerPow]

I used them in my Christmas cookie tins a few years ago - cheap and fast! Unfortunately, I can only take credit for the suggestion on this thread, not the idea. I actually got it from the board! :D

http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=67408&highlight=pretzel+rings
KathyB mentions using a Mint Hershey's Kiss - that has GOT to be good! This sounds great as well:

I just made my second batch with toffee almond limited edition kisses and then added a roasted almond on top instead on M & M's...these are yummy! ~Gail
I cannot wait to make these. Maybe I'll practice and make a Thanksgiving munchie! The toffee/almond variation would be great for that, as would the mint variation for after dinner.
Does this board contain a plethora of brilliant ideas, or what? :D

[badunnin]

It looks like kisses are on sale at Target this week - 3/$5. Must stock up.

[JanetJ]

I bake and freeze the peanut butter cookies w/ the kiss in the middle (Peanut Blossoms) every year and have never had a problem. Just make sure the kiss has fully hardened back up (it gets a little smooshy when put on the hot cookie) if you are going to stack them in a container to freeze. One year I didn't do that and the tips of the kisses broke off - stilly yummy though.

Love, love, love the pretzel idea!!

[Linda in MO]

We love the pretzel thingys and have been making them for years! So easy! I use Rolos and M&M's though. ;) My 10 yr. old calls them "heaven on a pretzel". :D

Here's my favorite recipe for those peanut butter cookies w/the kiss in the middle. I've also been making these for years and like them better than the other recipe that has flour in it. I found this recipe a long time ago in either Family Circle or Woman's Day.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Cookies/Brownies

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 cups creamy peanut butter (1 lb. 2 oz. jar)
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 large eggs
36 Hershey kisses (from a 9 oz. bag), approx.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Stir peanut buter, sugar and eggs in a bowl until blended (it will be sticky).

With floured hands (I use a greased cookie scoop), roll slightly heaping tablespoonfuls into 1 1/4 inch balls (they can be bigger). Place 1 1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets (I use silpat lined cookie sheets).

Bake 12 to 15 minutes until cookies look dry and tops are crackled (don't over-cook! You want them kind of peanut buttery-fudgy and not brown on the bottom).

Meanwhile, unwrap Hershey's kisses.

Remove from oven and immediately press a Kiss in center of each. Cool on cookie sheet 1 to 2 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool.

Store airtight in one layer up to 3 weeks. Not that they've ever lasted that long!

Makes 3-4 dozen


NOTES : There is NO flour in this recipe.

********************************

Here's one I found in MC but I haven't tried it yet...

* Exported from MasterCook *

Pecan Clusters

Recipe By : Paula Deen
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Desserts

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 jar marshmallow cream - (7 oz)
3/4 pound chocolate kisses
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 can evaporated milk - (6 oz)
1/2 stick butter
2 cups pecan halves

Place marshmallow cream and kisses into a large bowl. Set aside.

Combine sugar, milk, and butter in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for 8 minutes. Pour over marshmallow and chocolate, stirring until well blended. Stir in pecans. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

This recipe yields 6 dozen.

Source:
"PAULA'S HOME COOKING with Paula Deen - (Show # PA-0608) - from the TV FOOD NETWORK"
S(Formatted for MC8):
"11-01-2006 by Joe Comiskey - Mad's Recipe Emporium"
Yield:
"6 dozen"

[little_bopeep]

Pecan clusters? That easy?? Thanks a LOT, Linda!! :D :D :D (They look awesome!)

[Linda in MO]

Pecan clusters? That easy?? Thanks a LOT, Linda!! :D :D :D (They look awesome!)
They do look good, don't they! :D Let me know if you try them.

[avariell]

this is one of my all-time favorite cookie recipes (that i don't really make cuz i will eat them all up!!) they are also good with peanut butter cups or rolos...
i think i found it on the Hershey's website...

Oatmeal KISSES Cookies
Ingredients:
• 1 bag (13 oz.) HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2-1/4 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 cup chopped nuts
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolate pieces.

2. Beat beat butter, shortening, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large bowl until fluffy. Add eggs; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in rolled oats and nuts. Shape rounded teaspoons of dough into 1-inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown. Remove from oven; immediately place chocolate piece in center of each cookie, pressing down lightly. Carefully remove cookies from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 6 dozen cookies.

[hAndyman]

I've been making these 1994 Pillsbury bakeoff winners since the recipe was first published and they are definitely a winner with us and the people I feed 'em to! They're perfect for kiss fanatics, and you've got 8 bags of evidence that convince me that you're one, Ms (or Mr) CookinginMO/KS!
Check out the link that includes a picture of these chocolate balls:

http://www.pillsbury.com/bakeoff/recipes/showrecipe.aspx?rid=10211

Editing to add that these cookies are a great addition to (Xmas) cookie presentations based on shape and appearance, and satisfy many chocoholics.

[gabbyh]

I've been making these 1994 Pillsbury bakeoff winners since the recipe was first published and they are definitely a winner with us and the people I feed 'em to! They're perfect for kiss fanatics, and you've got 8 bags of evidence that convince me that you're one, Ms (or Mr) CookinginMO/KS!
Check out the link that includes a picture of these chocolate balls:

http://www.pillsbury.com/bakeoff/recipes/showrecipe.aspx?rid=10211

Andy,

These look great! Thanks for posting.

~Gail

[Gumbeaux]

Here (http://www.hersheys.com/kisses/recipes/category.asp?name=Cookies) is a ton or recipes.

http://www.hersheys.com/kisses/products/general/images/small-milk.jpg

[barbara-cook]

Here is what I (used to) do when I found Easter Bunnies in the cupboard and Easter was months ago! And I'm referring to the solid bunnies. I would break them up into smaller pieces and then coarsely chop them in my food processor. You could do this with the Kisses, I'm sure, and then add them to any cookie recipes that you might want bits of chocolate in.

Plus - if you send me your address, I'll be right over and we can BOTH start popping them in our mouths! Just kidding! Have fun with everyone's suggestions!

[CookinginMO/KS]

I knew I could count on all of you for some great ideas. They definitely won't go to waste. One question on the pretzel, M & M, thingamagies...how long will they keep? Just wondering if I make them this weekend if they'll be good 4 weeks later for Christmas? I can't imagine they would even last a week around me, but wishful thinking.

[GingerPow]

I made these Holiday Pretzel treats today, you wouldn't know I got anything done with the amount of time I've spent on this board though! Good place to take a break! ;)

Anyway, I found a limited edition Hershey's Kiss: Cherry Cordial. I topped them with a red M & M. I also made plain chocolate with a Reese's Peices on top, as well as the Caramel kiss with an M & M. The kids came home from school and scarfed them up, interesting - their favorite was the cherry cordial! I have to grab another bag while the store still has these in stock to make these for Christmas.

Thanks again for suggesting this recipe - it's a keeper.

[Linda in MO]

I knew I could count on all of you for some great ideas. They definitely won't go to waste. One question on the pretzel, M & M, thingamagies...how long will they keep? Just wondering if I make them this weekend if they'll be good 4 weeks later for Christmas? I can't imagine they would even last a week around me, but wishful thinking.

I would wait until it gets a little closer to Christmas. They would probably still taste good but after a few days or so, it seems the chocolate gets a little spotty looking. You can make a ton of them in a short amount of time, so it's not like they're labor intensive.

[patissac]

I made these Holiday Pretzel treats today, you wouldn't know I got anything done with the amount of time I've spent on this board though! Good place to take a break! ;)

Anyway, I found a limited edition Hershey's Kiss: Cherry Cordial. I topped them with a red M & M. I also made plain chocolate with a Reese's Peices on top, as well as the Caramel kiss with an M & M. The kids came home from school and scarfed them up, interesting - their favorite was the cherry cordial! I have to grab another bag while the store still has these in stock to make these for Christmas.

Thanks again for suggesting this recipe - it's a keeper.

Ginger, I was wondering if the cherry spills out of the kiss when you smoosh the m&m on top of it? I was wanting to try the peanut butter filled ones as well but was scared it might spill out, but I might just use a peanut butter m&m instead to put on the top of the kiss.
I did manage to make these this morning :D http://www.recipezaar.com/104975
To give to some of the nurses at my works Barely Sick center, they are always good to my DD and I don't know when we'll be seeing them again. I hope they like them!

[little_bopeep]

I bought some of these today because I just couldn't stand not to. :D Both the cherry and PB are very, very good, and neither one of them spills out when you bite them. The cherry has a small amount of flavored 'liquidy paste," rather than the liquid filling in a cordial cherry.

[jrichards]

I made the pretzer/kiss combi with the limited edition chocolate/mint kiss (green M&M), dark chocolate (pink M&M), and milk chocolate with almonds (red M&M).

My favorite is the mint ones. They remind me a bit of the Girl Scout thin mint cookies. Mmmm.

I also wondered about the ones with filling inside - - if it would get too liquidy when melted, or leak when mooshed down by M&M. The almond kisses didn't work as well as the other 2, and aren't as visually pretty since there are some slivers of almond and weird shapes within the chocolate.

I read about Dulce de Leche kisses. Has anyone seen/tasted these?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Jennifer

[GingerPow]

Ginger, I was wondering if the cherry spills out of the kiss when you smoosh the m&m on top of it? I was wanting to try the peanut butter filled ones as well but was scared it might spill out, but I might just use a peanut butter m&m instead to put on the top of the kiss.

There was just a tiny amount of filling to squeeze out of the cherry kisses and the caramel kisses, and it was only a few of them. Most of them were fine. Tip: I placed the M&M on top of the softened kisses, then used a chopstick to press it down - much neater than using a finger.

I made a huge batch of these today, different Hershey kiss flavors, and gave a bunch to DD's best friend to take back to his family. (Sadly, his mom died unexpectedly several weeks ago and I thought they'd make a nice treat for the kids). MIL & FIL stopped by and tried some - EVERYBODY loves these. As of now, there are 3 left on the plate, you should have see how many I started with!

I have got to get more of the Cherry Cordial Kisses - they are fantastic. I'm going to make the mint variety for the upcoming holidays - I'm hooked on these little goodies. Isn't it neat when something so simple is such a hit?

[Beth]

The caramel ones are good, but better use Rolos instead for the pretzel treats. The caramel kisses are too soft and leak out when you push a pecan half on top of them. Either way, they are addictive.