Name: Chocolate Hugs Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 17 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/3 cup butter; 6 oz unsweetened chocolate; 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk; 1 1 lb 1.5 oz package sugar cookie mix; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 40 Hershey Hugs, unwrapped

There’s something truly comforting about the rich, melty chocolate wrapped around a tender cookie — that’s exactly what makes the Chocolate Hugs Cookies Recipe so special. Each bite gives you that gooey, chocolaty hug that’s just perfect for anytime you need a sweet pick-me-up.

The image shows a close-up of several dark brown cookies arranged on a white plate. Each cookie has one central white layer with a smooth texture, decorated with thin brown lines radiating from a small white dot in the middle, resembling a simple flower or spider web pattern. The outer cookie layer looks soft with a slightly cracked surface that adds texture. The white plate and cookies sit on a white marbled surface in the background. 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 Chocolate Hugs Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Hugs Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Hugs Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made these cookies — they disappeared before I even got a chance to grab a second one! That perfect balance of soft cookie dough with the irresistible Hershey Hugs on top is a total crowd-pleaser. It’s such a simple recipe, and yet it feels like a special treat every time.

Easy to Make: You only need a few ingredients, mostly pantry staples, and the cookie mix speeds everything up without sacrificing flavor.
Perfectly Soft & Chewy: These cookies come out just right — soft in the middle with slightly crisp edges.
Chocolate Hug Finish: Pressing the Hershey Hugs into the warm cookie gives a melty, delightful chocolate crown that’s hard to resist.
Versatile & Fun: You can swap out different Hershey chocolate varieties for seasonal tweaks or to suit your mood.

The image shows four round chocolate cookies with deep cracks on top, each topped with a smooth, striped white and milk chocolate candy center that forms a dome-like shape. The cookies are thick and have a coarse, cracked texture. They are placed in a curved white bowl, with one cookie resting against the bowl's edge. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface covered partly by a fabric with pink, green, and brown circular patterns. The lighting highlights the shiny texture of the candy and the rough texture of the cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe combines the richness of unsweetened chocolate with the sweetness of pre-made sugar cookie mix, making it simple yet indulgent. The sweetened condensed milk adds creaminess and moisture that keeps the cookies soft, while cinnamon brings a subtle warmth that balances the chocolate beautifully.

Flat lay of a small pat of fresh butter, a few large chunks of unsweetened dark chocolate, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth sweetened condensed milk, a simple mound of pale sugar cookie mix, a small white ceramic bowl holding ground cinnamon powder, and several unwrapped Hershey Hugs chocolates showing their distinctive striped milk and white chocolate layers, all arranged symmetrically 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

Butter: Provides richness and helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
Unsweetened chocolate: Gives the deep chocolate flavor without added sugar, letting the Hugs candy shine.
Sweetened condensed milk: Adds moisture and sweetness that keep cookies soft and chewy.
Sugar cookie mix: Convenience meets flavor here—it's your cookie base that’s easy to work with.
Ground cinnamon: A pinch adds warmth and complexity without overpowering the chocolate.
Hershey Hugs candy: The star topping! These striped chocolates melt beautifully on top for that signature “hug.”

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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

One of the things I love about this Chocolate Hugs Cookies Recipe is how adaptable it is. I often like to switch up the topping chocolates or add a pinch more cinnamon for an extra warm note. You can totally tailor these cookies to your flavor preferences or what you have on hand.

Variation: I once tried swapping out the Hershey Hugs for peppermint bark during the holidays — the cooling mint against the rich chocolate was a hit!
Gluten-Free Twist: Use a gluten-free sugar cookie mix to make these accessible to everyone at your table.
Spice It Up: Adding a pinch of cayenne or chili powder gives a subtle kick that plays nicely with the chocolate.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Hugs Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Melt the Magic

Start by melting the butter and unsweetened chocolate together in a microwave-safe bowl. I usually do this in 1-minute bursts, stirring in between to avoid scorching. The goal is a glossy, smooth chocolate mixture that will form the base of your dough. Don’t rush this — stirring well is key to ensuring even melting and a silky consistency.

Step 2: Mix in the Condensed Milk

Once your chocolate and butter mixture is smooth, stir in the sweetened condensed milk. This will add that creamy, sweet moisture we need to keep the cookies soft and fudgy.

Step 3: Add Cookie Mix & Cinnamon

Next, mix in your sugar cookie mix and cinnamon until everything is well combined. The dough will be thick but scoopable. This part is super easy and forgiving — just be sure everything is evenly mixed for consistent texture and flavor throughout.

Step 4: Scoop and Bake

Use a medium cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon) to drop dough balls onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F for 6 to 7 minutes, watching for when the shiny edges dull — that’s your sign to take them out before they overbake and dry out.

Step 5: Press on the Hugs

Right after taking the cookies out of the oven, press one unwrapped Hershey Hugs candy gently into the center of each warm cookie, point side up. Let them cool on the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. I find giving the cookie a little tap on the edge when moving it helps spread the melted Hug candy just right.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Chocolate Hugs Cookies Recipe multiple times, these tips will help you get them just right every single time — soft, melty, and totally irresistible.

Don’t Overbake: Removing the cookies as soon as the edges lose their shine keeps them tender and fudgy, not crispy.
Use Room Temperature Butter: If your butter is too cold, it won’t melt evenly and may cause clumps in your dough.
Press Hugs in While Warm: The cookies should be hot from the oven so your Hershey Hugs melt perfectly and spread into that beautiful top layer.
Don’t Skip the Cinnamon: It’s subtle but really enhances the overall flavor and complements the chocolate beautifully.

How to Serve Chocolate Hugs Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Hugs Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep things simple here — a light dusting of powdered sugar can add a pretty touch. For a festive look, I sometimes sprinkle crushed peppermint or finely chopped nuts over the melted Hugs once they start to set.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic served alongside a cold glass of milk or a steaming cup of coffee. For an extra indulgent dessert, I like pairing them with vanilla ice cream or fresh berries to balance their richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I drizzle some melted white chocolate over the cooled cookies to make pretty patterns, then stack them on a decorative plate. You can also package a few in small boxes tied with ribbon as a sweet homemade gift — people love that personal touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature — they stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days. If you’ve got more than a few, I like layering the cookies between sheets of parchment paper to avoid sticking.

Freezing

These cookies freeze well either before or after baking. I usually scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze it solid, then transfer the dough balls to a sealed bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.

Reheating

If you want to warm up leftover cookies, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes. It refreshes their softness and makes the chocolate topping lovely and melty again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are Hershey Hugs and can I use other chocolates?

Hershey Hugs are striped chocolates made of creamy white creme hugged by milk chocolate — they melt beautifully and add that signature look and flavor to this cookie recipe. You can absolutely experiment with other chocolates like peppermint bark, milk chocolate kisses, or even mini peanut butter cups for a fun twist. Just make sure they fit neatly on your cookies.

Can I make these Chocolate Hugs Cookies gluten-free?

Yes! Just substitute the regular sugar cookie mix with a gluten-free version of similar weight and texture. The rest of the recipe stays the same. It’s a great way to enjoy these cookies if you’re sensitive to gluten or baking for someone who is.

How do I prevent the Hershey Hugs from cracking after cooling?

Press the Hershey Hugs into the cookies immediately after they come out of the oven while the cookies are still warm. This helps the chocolate melt and spread evenly, reducing cracking once set. Also, avoid refrigerating the cookies as rapid temperature changes can cause the chocolate to crack. Store them at room temperature instead.

Can I prepare the dough ahead and bake later?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, scoop it onto baking sheets, and freeze the raw dough balls. When you're ready to bake, just pop the frozen dough balls directly into the oven (add 1-2 extra minutes bake time). This makes quick fresh-baked cookies whenever the craving hits.

Final Thoughts

I love recommending this Chocolate Hugs Cookies Recipe to friends because it’s just so reliably delicious and simple to make. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these cookies never disappoint. Give them a try, and trust me — they’ll become a go-to in your cookie rotation too!