Name: Cherry Blossom Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 12 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats; 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (209g, spooned & leveled); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 cup (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon unsulphured molasses; 1 cup dried tart cherries; 26-28 chocolate kisses; 3 ounces vanilla almond bark, chopped; 1/4 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening

There’s something delightfully nostalgic about biting into a soft, chewy cookie that surprises you with a melty chocolate center. This Cherry Blossom Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe is one of those treats that brings a bit of joy with every bite. The blend of tart cherries and warm spices makes these cookies feel cozy and special — perfect for sharing or savoring during your quiet moment of the day.

The image shows several round oatmeal cookies with a rough, bumpy texture, light brown in color, each topped with a single large cone-shaped dark chocolate piece in the center. White icing is drizzled over the top of each cookie in thin, wavy lines creating a contrast against the brown cookie and chocolate. The cookies rest spaced out on a metal cooling rack, and the background is a white marbled surface, giving a clean and bright look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Blossom Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cherry Blossom Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cherry Blossom Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe has become one of my go-to favorites because it perfectly balances chewy oats, fragrant spices, and a kiss of chocolate—quite literally! I remember baking these for a friend’s birthday and watching her eyes light up at the chocolate surprise in the center. Cherry Blossom Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe is not only delicious but fun to make, too.

Hearty Texture: The old-fashioned rolled oats give the cookies a wonderful chew and rustic feel that you’ll love sinking your teeth into.
Warm Spices: A mix of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger adds cozy autumnal vibes that pair beautifully with tart cherries.
Chocolate Surprise: Pressing a chocolate kiss into each cookie right after baking lets it soften just enough for a gooey center.
Easy Yet Impressive: Despite looking fancy, these cookies come together quickly and are ideal for gifting or sharing at get-togethers.

The image shows 16 round oatmeal cookies arranged in four rows on a silver wire cooling rack, placed over a white marbled surface. Each cookie is golden brown with a rough, bumpy texture from oats and raisins, and has a single large chocolate drop pressed in the center. Thin white icing strands are drizzled in a zigzag pattern over the top of each cookie, adding contrast to the warm tones. In the top left corner, there is a small white bowl filled with dark dried fruits, partially visible. A beige and white striped cloth is folded beside the rack on the bottom right corner. The scene looks bright and clean, with soft natural light highlighting the cookies’ details. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Cherry Blossom Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe plays a key role in crafting that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Once you know what each one brings, you’ll understand why they all deserve a spot in your pantry.

Flat lay of a small mound of old-fashioned whole rolled oats, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a square of unsalted butter softened to room temperature, a small white bowl filled with packed light brown sugar, another small white bowl with granulated sugar, a small white bowl containing dark red dried tart cherries, a cluster of glossy chocolate kisses arranged symmetrically, a small white bowl holding smooth molasses syrup, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, a small white bowl with ground cloves, a small white bowl with ground nutmeg, a small white bowl with ground ginger, a small white bowl with baking soda, a small white bowl with salt, and a small white bowl with vanilla extract, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Old-fashioned rolled oats: Adds hearty chew and structure, different from quick oats which can yield a mushier cookie.
All-purpose flour: The base that holds everything together while keeping the cookie tender.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies spread just the right amount and gives a subtle lift.
Ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger: These warm spices give that cozy, cherry blossom vibe—like a hug on a cookie.
Unsalted butter: For richness and flavor control; unsalted lets you balance the salt precisely.
Light or dark brown sugar & granulated sugar: Brown sugar keeps these chewy and moist, while granulated sugar adds a bit of snap for contrast.
Eggs: Binds everything together and provides moisture.
Vanilla extract: Brings depth and warmth to the flavor.
Unsulphured molasses: Adds a robust sweetness and a subtle note that complements the spices beautifully.
Dried tart cherries: Their tartness brightens and contrasts the sweet cookie base.
Chocolate kisses: Melting indulgently in the center for the signature finishing touch.
Vanilla almond bark (optional): Used for the drizzle, adds a pretty, sweet finish with a mild crunch.
Coconut oil or vegetable shortening: Helps the vanilla drizzle melt smoothly and sets nicely.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Cherry Blossom Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe depending on the occasion or what I have on hand. Don’t hesitate to make it your own, whether swapping types of nuts, playing with spices, or choosing different chocolates.

Variation: For a little crunch, I’ve added chopped toasted pecans or walnuts, which contrast beautifully with the soft oats and cherries.
Dietary twist: You can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and use dairy-free butter to make these cookies allergy-friendly without losing flavor.
Chocolate variation: Instead of classic milk chocolate kisses, I sometimes use dark chocolate or hazelnut-filled ones for a richer flavor hit.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cherry Blossom Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients

Start by mixing your oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt in a large bowl. Whisking these together ensures that the spices get evenly distributed, so every cookie has that perfect pop of warm flavor.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter with the light or dark brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed for about two minutes. This step is key for a light texture—don’t rush it! The mixture should look pale and fluffy before you move on.

Step 3: Blend in Eggs, Vanilla, and Molasses

Beat in the eggs one at a time on high speed, just until combined—not overmixing here is crucial. Then add your vanilla extract and molasses, mixing just until everything is incorporated. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to catch any hidden pockets of flour or butter.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients and Fold in Cherries

Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the oat-flour-spice mixture. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough. Finally, beat in those beautiful dried tart cherries gently—this is where the cookie begins to take on its signature flavor!

Step 5: Chill the Dough Carefully

Pop your dough into the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes. I don’t recommend longer chilling because the oats absorb moisture and can make the dough tougher. This chill time helps the flavors settle and makes the dough easier to handle.

Step 6: Roll the Dough Into Balls and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Use a two-tablespoon cookie scoop for uniform balls—this helps them bake evenly. The dough is sticky, so a quick spritz of cooking spray on your hands mixed with a light dusting of flour will make rolling easier. Space the balls about 2 inches apart and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden but the centers still look soft.

Step 7: Add the Chocolate Kisses

Immediately after removing the baking sheets from the oven, let the cookies cool on the sheet for 8 minutes. This resting time lets the cookies set while staying soft enough to gently press a chocolate kiss into each center. The heat will slightly soften the chocolate for a gooey surprise once cooled.

Step 8: Optional Vanilla Drizzle for the Finishing Touch

If you want to add a pretty, sweet glaze, melt 3 ounces of vanilla almond bark with ¼ teaspoon of coconut oil or vegetable shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat gently at 50% power in 30-second bursts, stirring between, until just melted. Transfer to a Ziploc bag, snip a tiny corner, and drizzle artistically over cooled cookies.

Top Tip

Through multiple batches and tasting sessions, I’ve learned these tips make all the difference to perfect Cherry Blossom Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe results.

Keep Butter Soft, Not Melted: Softer butter creams better but avoid melting it completely or your cookies may spread too much in the oven.
Don’t Overmix: Mixing the dough just until combined avoids tough cookies—especially important when combining dry and wet ingredients.
Use Room Temperature Eggs: They blend more easily and create a smoother dough consistency, resulting in more even baking.
Press Kisses While Warm: Waiting about 8 minutes lets cookies set just enough for the kisses to soften but not melt completely or lose shape.

How to Serve Cherry Blossom Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe

Cherry Blossom Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love to keep it simple with just the chocolate kiss in the center, but sometimes I sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt atop the warm kisses for an unexpected flavor boost. The optional vanilla drizzle really elevates the look and adds a subtly sweet crunch, too.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a steaming cup of black tea or coffee. I’ve also enjoyed them alongside a mild vanilla or cherry-flavored yogurt dip for an afternoon snack. For parties, a simple cheese platter balances the sweet and tart notes perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like arranging these cookies in a cherry blossom pattern on a large platter or tying small stacks with pastel ribbons as charming edible gifts. If you drizzle the vanilla glaze in soft pink (use a couple drops of food coloring), it turns into a beautiful spring-inspired treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cookies do well stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I like to layer them with parchment paper to avoid sticking. The texture remains soft and the chocolate kisses keep their melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Freezing

You can freeze these cookies either before or after baking. For dough, scoop balls and freeze on a tray before transferring them to a freezer bag—simply bake from frozen adding a couple extra minutes. For baked cookies, wrap them tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature.

Reheating

To refresh frozen or stored cookies, warm them for 10-15 seconds in the microwave or 3-4 minutes in a low oven (300°F). This softens the chocolate and revives the chewy oat texture without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute quick oats for the rolled oats?

Quick oats will work in a pinch but the texture will be softer and less chewy—old-fashioned rolled oats really give these cookies their signature heartiness.

Do I have to press the chocolate kisses into warm cookies?

Pressing the chocolate kisses while the cookies are still warm helps them soften perfectly without melting completely, creating that gooey center. If you wait too long, the cookies cool and the kisses won’t melt properly.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

Yes! You can use vegan butter, a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg), and dairy-free chocolate kisses or chips to adapt the recipe for a vegan diet.

Why do you recommend chilling the dough for only 30-60 minutes?

Chilling crisps up the dough and helps flavors meld, but since oats absorb moisture over time, chilling longer can dry out the dough and make your cookies less chewy. I find 30-60 minutes is just right.

Final Thoughts

This Cherry Blossom Cookies with Chocolate Kisses Recipe has such a warm place in my kitchen memories—it’s like a little ritual that always brings comfort and smiles. You’ll find it easy to follow and endlessly satisfying to bake and share. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your new favorite cookie to reach for when you want something truly delightful.