If you’re looking for a sweet treat that’ll steal the show this Valentine’s Day, I can’t recommend the Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe enough. These little beauties combine the best of a soft sugar cookie with the creamy, minty surprise of Hershey’s Hugs right in the center. I love how they’re not only delicious but also fun to make — perfect for baking with your kids or impressing your sweetheart with a homemade touch.

What makes this Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe truly special is how easy it is to customize the colors and decorations to fit your mood or party theme. Whether you’re hosting a festive brunch or prepping a sweet after-dinner indulgence, these cookie cups deliver warm, melty chocolate moments that everyone adores. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become a go-to for any celebration.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe plays a key role, combining familiar pantry staples with a fun twist to bring those cookie cups alive. It’s all about balance — the cookie mix provides the perfect texture, while Hershey’s Hugs add that signature creamy mint flavor.

Sugar cookie mix: The base of these cookie cups, it keeps things super simple and guarantees soft, chewy results every time.
Salted butter: Melted butter adds richness and helps bind the dough — I always recommend using real butter for that authentic flavor.
All-purpose flour: A little extra flour helps firm up the dough so it wraps cleanly around the chocolate without oozing.
Large egg: Be sure to use room temperature eggs to mix smoothly and create a tender but sturdy cookie.
Pink/red food coloring: For that special Valentine’s touch — adjust the intensity to your liking!
Hershey’s Hugs: The star of the show, these unwrapped chocolates melt beautifully, giving a minty surprise in every bite.
Decorative sprinkles (optional): Add a fun pop of color or sparkle — I love hearts or red sugar crystals for a festive finish.

Variations

One of my favorite things about the Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe is how flexible it is. You can really make it your own depending on what you have on hand or your mood for the day.

Double chocolate: Swap out the sugar cookie mix for a chocolate cookie mix — I tried this for my kids last year, and it was a lovely twist!
Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free sugar cookie mix to keep these delicious for everyone’s diet.
Different fillings: If you’re not a Hershey’s Hugs fan, try mini peanut butter cups or even a caramel-filled candy for a gooey surprise.
Seasonal colors: Change the food coloring depending on the holiday — green for Christmas or orange for Halloween — so these cookie cups aren’t just for Valentine’s Day!

How to Make Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace and Pan

Start by giving your mini cupcake pan a good spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking — trust me, you want these cookie cups to come out cleanly without any tears. Then preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Preheating early ensures the oven is ready to give your cookie cups that perfect golden edge while keeping the centers soft.

Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough

In a large bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, melted butter, flour, egg, and your chosen pink or red food coloring. I usually start with a few drops and build up the color gradually to avoid going too dark. Beat the mixture until just combined — over-mixing can make the dough tough, so a gentle hand is best!

Step 3: Shape and Fill the Cookie Cups

Take about a tablespoon of dough and flatten it in the palm of your hand — roughly palm-sized works well. Place an unwrapped Hershey’s Hug right in the center and wrap the dough completely around the candy to form a smooth ball. Make sure the chocolate is fully enclosed to avoid melting out during baking. It took me a few tries to perfect this, but once you get the hang of folding gently without tearing the dough, it’s a breeze.

Step 4: Bake and Decorate

Place each wrapped dough ball upright into a cavity of the prepared pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn a soft golden color while the centers remain tender. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with your choice of decorative sprinkles — the warmth helps them stick beautifully. Let the cookie cups cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes so they set up nicely and don’t fall apart when you remove them.

How to Serve Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe

The image shows several baking ingredients placed on a white marbled surface organized in a loose cluster. There are six main items: a white bowl filled with white flour in the bottom right, above it a white bowl with yellow melted butter, to the left a white bowl with white ricotta cheese topped with a square block of butter, and below it a brown egg lying on the surface. Below the egg, there is a small white bowl with red liquid, and next to it, another small white bowl with round, colorful sprinkles in red, green, white, and pink. On the bottom right side, there are six silver-wrapped chocolate balls arranged in a small group. The setup is neat with bright lighting and a clear view of all ingredients photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with classic Valentine’s Day-themed sprinkles or tiny heart-shaped candies to top these cookie cups. Sometimes, I add a dusting of powdered sugar for a soft, snowy look. The contrast between the smooth chocolate filling and colorful sprinkles just makes these irresistible.

Side Dishes

These cookie cups pair beautifully with a simple glass of cold milk or a cozy cup of hot cocoa. For a grown-up twist, I like serving them alongside a cappuccino or a drizzle of raspberry sauce. It’s a sweet combo that highlights the minty note from the Hershey’s Hugs.

Creative Ways to Present

For Valentine’s Day, I love arranging these cookie cups in a heart-shaped dish or a pretty tiered tray to impress guests. Wrapping individual cookie cups in cellophane tied with a ribbon makes for adorable little gifts too. It’s a festive and thoughtful way to share homemade love!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature — they stay fresh and chewy for up to two weeks! Just make sure the container has a tight seal to prevent the cookies from drying out.

Freezing

Freezing these cookie cups works wonderfully if you want to make a big batch ahead of time. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and then pop them into a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well for about 5-6 months. When you’re ready, just let them thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you prefer a warm, melty treat, reheat the cookie cups gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This refreshes the soft texture and melts the Hershey’s Hugs inside just like when they were freshly baked.

FAQs

Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough instead of the mix?

Absolutely! Using homemade sugar cookie dough can add a personal touch. Just make sure the dough isn’t too sticky so it’s easy to wrap around the Hershey’s Hugs without tearing.
Do I need to unwrap the Hershey’s Hugs before baking?

Yes, definitely unwrap the chocolates first. Wrapping them would cause the candy to melt inside the foil or paper, which can be a mess and affect the flavor.
Can I make these cookie cups without food coloring?

Of course! You can skip the pink or red coloring altogether or replace it with other colors for different occasions. The cookie cups still taste amazing and look inviting even without extra color.
How do I prevent the cookie dough from sticking to my hands while wrapping?

Lightly flour your hands or work surface to make handling easier. Another trick is to chill the dough briefly before shaping if it feels too sticky.
Can I use other Hershey’s chocolates instead of Hugs?

Yes! Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Hershey’s Kisses work well too. Just be mindful of the different flavors melting differently in the cookie cups.

Final Thoughts

Making Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe has become one of my favorite little rituals every February. It’s a joyful mix of simplicity and charm — you get that warm, homemade cookie feeling with a delightful surprise inside that makes you smile every time. Whether you’re gifting these or savoring them yourself, I promise you’ll love the way they bring a bit of magic and sweetness to any day. Go on, give this recipe a try — I think you’ll be hooked just like I am!

Valentine’s Day Cookie Cups with Hershey’s Hugs Recipe

★★★★★ 4.6 from 51 reviews

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes 15 seconds
Total Time: 35 minutes 15 seconds
Yield: 25 cookie cups 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with these delightful Cookie Cups filled with Hershey’s Hugs. Soft, buttery sugar cookie dough surrounds creamy chocolate hugs, baked to perfection and topped with festive sprinkles. Perfect for gifting or sharing at any sweet occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

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 and Decoration

24–26 Hershey’s Hugs, unwrapped
Decorative sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Pan and Oven. Spray a mini cupcake pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking.
Mix the Cookie Dough. In a large bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, melted butter, all-purpose flour, egg, and pink/red food coloring. Beat together until just combined, adjusting the food coloring to achieve your desired shade.
Shape the Dough. Take about 1 tablespoon of the cookie dough and flatten it using your hand or a rolling pin until it is roughly palm-sized, making it ready to encase the chocolate.
Encapsulate the Chocolate. Place an unwrapped Hershey’s Hug in the center of the flattened dough. Wrap the dough completely around the chocolate to form a ball, ensuring the chocolate is fully enclosed.
Place Dough Balls in Pan. Set each filled dough ball upright into a cavity of the prepared mini cupcake pan. Repeat this process until all the cookie dough balls are placed in the pan.
Bake. Bake the cookie cups in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the outsides appear set and lightly golden but still soft to the touch.
Decorate While Warm. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately decorate the tops of the warm cookie cups with decorative sprinkles if desired.
Cool and Set. Allow the cookie cups to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before removing and serving. This resting time helps them set and makes them easier to handle.

Notes

Storage: Store cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks to maintain freshness.
Freezing: Wrap each cookie cup individually, place in a freezer-safe container or bag, and freeze for 5-6 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Tip: Ensure the egg is at room temperature before mixing to achieve smooth and even cookie dough.
Tip: Use a gentle hand while wrapping the dough around the chocolate to avoid tearing.

Keywords: Valentine’s Day cookies, Sugar cookie cups, Hershey’s Hugs recipe, Mini cookie cups, Holiday desserts, Chocolate-filled cookies