July 7th, 2007is the 100th anniversary of the Hershey's Kiss. What a perfect reason for a sweet celebration!Having spent numerous childhood vacations in Hershey, PA, it was inevitable that I'd develop a lifelong affection for their signature confection -- the Hershey's Kiss. I say "inevitable" because the whole town is in-your-face choco-centric. From the cocoa-scented air wafting from the factory to the Kiss-shaped streetlights and maddeningly catchy Great American Chocolate Tour theme song, there's no escape from the candy behemoth. And if you can't beat 'em, you might as well Kiss 'em.
But why wouldn't you want to? Hershey's Kisses are the perfect size and shape for a quick, fun, anytime chocolate fix. And heck -- who doesn't cherish the chance to offer a Kiss to a loved one, or someone they hope will soon be one?
Get The Hershey's Chocolate Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Take The Hershey's Kiss Quiz
Watch The 100th Anniversary Festivities
Try These Delicious Kiss Recipes ...
HERSHEY'S HUGS & KISSES Crescents
Ingredients:
• 1 package (8 oz.) refrigerated quick crescent dinner rolls
• 24 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates or HERSHEY'S HUGS Brand Chocolates
• Powdered sugar
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 375 F. Separate dough into 8 triangles. Remove wrappers from chocolates.
2. Place 2 chocolates at wide end of each triangle; place an additional chocolate on top of other two pieces. Starting at wide end, roll to opposite point; pinch edges to seal. Place rolls, pointed side down, on ungreased cookie sheet. Curve into crescent shape.
3. Bake 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly; sift with powdered sugar. Serve warm. 8 crescents.
Note: Leftover crescents can be reheated in microwave for a few seconds.
Krunchy KISSES Cookies
Ingredients:
• 36 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup REESE'S Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups crisp rice cereal
• 1 cup slightly crushed corn flakes
Directions:
1. Remove wrappers from chocolate pieces.
2. Stir together corn syrup and brown sugar in medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to full boil. Remove from heat; stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Add cereals; stir until well coated.
2. Drop by teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Loosely shape into balls; gently press chocolate piece in center of each ball, shaping ball gently into cookie shape. Store in covered container at room temperature. About 3 dozen cookies.
Double KISSES Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients:
• About 60 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
• 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 1-2/3 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
• 1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1-1/3 cups water
Directions:
1. Remove wrappers from chocolate pieces; set aside. Heat oven to 350°F. Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups.
2. Combine butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large bowl. Beat on high speed of mixer 3 minutes. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and baking powder; add alternately with water to butter mixture, beating just until blended. Fill prepared muffin cups about 1/2 full with batter. Place chocolate piece in center of each.
3. Bake 20 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in center. Remove from cups to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost as desired. Place another chocolate piece on top of each cupcake. About 2-1/2 dozen cupcakes.
HERSHEY'S HUGS & KISSES Pound Cake Torte
Ingredients:
• 46 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
• 1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup whipping cream, divided
• 2 teaspoons butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 frozen loaf pound cake(10-3/4 oz.), partially thawed
• 10 HERSHEY'S HUGS Brand Chocolates
Directions:
1. Remove wrappers from HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates. Combine chocolates and 1/3 cup whipping cream in small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in butter and vanilla until smooth; transfer to medium bowl. Refrigerate until firm enough to spread, about 1 hour.
2. Slice cake horizontally to make 3 layers. Arrange bottom layer on serving plate. Evenly spread 1/3 cup chocolate mixture over layer; top with second layer and spread with 1/3 cup mixture. Place remaining layer on top. Beat remaining 1/2 cup whipping cream until thickened; fold in remaining chocolate mixture. Refrigerate a few minutes if a more firm consistency is desired. Frost top, sides and ends of torte. Refrigerate about 6 hours. Remove wrappers from HERSHEY'S HUGS Brand Chocolates. Garnish torte before serving. Cover; refrigerate leftover torte. 8 servings.
Almond KISSed Cookies
Ingredients:
• 1 cup sliced almonds, divided
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly grated orange peel
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup HERSHEY'S MINI KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
Directions:
1. Grind 1/2 cup almonds in food processor or blender. Stir together flour, ground almonds and baking soda; set aside.
2. Beat butter and powdered sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add egg, orange peel and almond extract; beat on low speed until blended. Add flour mixture; beat on low speed until blended. Shape dough into two logs, about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. (Refrigerate dough about 15 minutes, if necessary, before shaping). Wrap each roll separately in wax paper or plastic wrap; refrigerate until well chilled, at least two hours.
3. Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Slice dough into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
4. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Immediately place 3 chocolates and 3 almond slices on top of each cookie, pressing down lightly. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 3-1/2 dozen cookies
Chocolate KISSES Mousse
Ingredients:
• 36 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
• 1-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows or 15 regular marshmallows
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons kirsch (cherry brandy) or 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 6 to 8 drops red food color(optional)
• 1 cup (1/2 pt.) cold whipping cream
• Additional HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates(optional)
Directions:
1. Remove wrappers from chocolates. Combine marshmallows and milk in small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
2. Pour 1/3 cup marshmallow mixture into medium bowl; stir in brandy and food color, if desired. Set aside. To remaining marshmallow mixture, add 36 chocolate pieces; return to low heat, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature.
3. Beat whipping cream in small bowl until stiff. Fold 1 cup whipped cream into chocolate mixture. Gradually fold remaining whipped cream into reserved mixture. Fill 4 parfait glasses about three-fourths full with chocolate mixture; spoon or pipe remaining mixture on top. Refrigerate 3 to 4 hours or until set. Garnish with additional chocolates, if desired. 4 servings.








Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
7-04-2007 @ 4:27PM
Doug E said...
This years annual Chocolate Festival at Hershey"s Oakdale California plant will be the last as the company is closing its plant there, eliminating all 575 jobs. The company will open a factory in Monterrey, Mexico, to handle the production. I say don't buy any Hershey products until they move back to the USA.
Reply
7-04-2007 @ 4:28PM
Doug E said...
Hershey is moving its Modesto Ca plant out of the USA. I say, don't buy any of the Hershey products until they move back.
Reply
7-04-2007 @ 5:41PM
Gordon R said...
I have sadly had my LAST Hershey's chocolate..support your country and it's people who made Hershey's a success..my family will buy your product no more and I intend to make this decision to lay off American workers..VERY public..I am in a position to do so
Reply
7-05-2007 @ 9:16AM
angie said...
Hersheys moving to mexico? I can think of no better time than now to give up my love of hersheys candy. I hope the people there can buy enough of your product to keep you in business because when you leave the people who put you where you are today, YOU LOSE!
Reply
7-05-2007 @ 11:37PM
janet hardie said...
The All American Classic, I don't think so, not after moving to Mexico. I for one will not buy Hersheys products again. We know where their interest lies. Move to Mexico, cheap labor, sell in the U.S. high prices.
Besides as the years have gone by Hershey's chocolate must have changed it's ingredients. No longer do they have the richness that they were known for years ago. Too bad to see an American Icon go away!
Reply
7-06-2007 @ 1:23PM
cheryl_owens@cable.comcast.com said...
The Hershey Chocolate Kisses actually turns 100 on July 7, 2007 (7-7-07)!
Reply
7-07-2007 @ 11:48PM
Liz said...
Grow up people it's candy, just candy!
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 8:26AM
Aida Fajardo said...
By moving your plant(s) out of the USA, you are not only creating unemployment in America, you are showing lack of appreciation to the people that put you on the Pedestal that you enjoy today. What a pity. That is exactly what is wrong with America's business and industry today. The more money they make the more they want. Go to Mexico yes, enjoy cheap labor, and high prices in the USA. You will not be getting any of my money. I just bought my last piece of Hershey yesterday. I am done.
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7-10-2007 @ 8:55AM
Joe Smith said...
My family and I have worked for the Hershey Company for 3 generations, to say that the timing of the 100th year "Kiss" celebration and the Company plans of moving its product to Mexico is horrible would be an understatement.
Working in Hershey, Pa has always been a pleasure but corporate greed has affected yet another american tradition and a wonderful community!
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 9:17AM
Asenath and Joann said...
We will not buy hersheys chocolate, we will satisfy our addiction
with another source.
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 9:18AM
Mary said...
I stopped buying Hershey when I found out they were moving out of the country.I found a replacement Milk and Dark Chocolate Dove Bars from New Jersey.They are better tasting then the kisses
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 9:38AM
Mary said...
I stopped buying hershey products when I found out they were moving out of the country.But I did find a chocolate to replace it.Dark and Milk Chocolate Dove bars made in New Jersey.they sell bite size pieces in Walmart and Redners Warehouse Markets in Pa
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 10:17AM
NANCYLEE REYNOLDS said...
IN MY OPINOIN, HERSHEY IS TRYING TO MAKE IT WHERE EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE TASTE OF HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE. IF MOVING PRODUCTION IS COST EFFECIENT WHERE EVERYONE CAN STILL ENJOY, THEN HATS OFF TO THEM.
TO EVERYONE CRITIZING, HAVE YOU EVER BOUGHT CHOCOLATE SWISS OR FRENCH CHOCOLATE IN YOUR LIFETIME.
CHOCOLATE IS TO BE ENJOYED NO MATTER WHAT COUNTRY IT COMES FROM. I MOST CERTAINLY WILL CONTINUE TO PURCHASE IT.
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 10:18AM
agailegal said...
People in responsible positions have made a decision affecting many. Since tradition shows we follow by example, this will have a greater impact than we can even imagine. We need stronger role models with long- time, decent and moral values like LOYALTY. which is a two-way street . As noted from above comments, it appears that "what goes around, comes around". It is a sad day for not only long-time and loyal customers, but also for the generations of family workers -- fond memories of their time and efforts are now "be-smudged".
agailegal
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 10:41AM
miky said...
Hershey can KISS my BLANK. They say don't drink the water in Mexico or make a product from it. Hope they go bankrupt.
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 10:49AM
jonas said...
Our family have always been kisses aholics, but moving to mexico will cause us to go cold turkey, no more hersheys for us.........and I promise.
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 11:19AM
Beverly said...
SO sorry to hear the Hershey company is moving to Mexico, our family used to go to the park every year and we have fond memories of it. I did love the products, but that is sad that the people that worked there for so many years now cant.
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 11:42AM
poop said...
it was crap
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 11:54AM
Brenda said...
WOW. I am really surprised that an Icon would do this. I was planning to visit the park in PA. But after reading this I will not and I love KISSES, but will buy no more. And will pass this information on to all I know.
Reply
7-10-2007 @ 12:13PM
Ann said...
I am very disappointed in Hershey for moving to Mexico. It has always been an American icon....I can't even think of it as being Mexican. I will not be buying Hershey products anymore. I agree with Mary that Dove is a great replacement. Sorry Hershey .... I can't be loyal anymore when you are elimenating so many jobs for our US citizens. I would rather switch to a Euopean brand than to buy products made in Mexico. So have a kiss goodbye from me.
Reply