Name: Hugs & Kisses Muffin Mix
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 4 eggs; 3 teaspoons vanilla; 1 cup oil; 2 cups water; 5 1/2 cups A-B-C Muffin Mix; 1 1/2 cups cocoa; 1/2 cup sugar; 24 Hershey's Kisses; Confectioners' sugar; Water for glaze

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Hugs & Kisses Muffin Mix turns a pantry muffin base into rich cocoa muffins with a surprise chocolate center. You stir up one big batch, tuck a candy kiss into each muffin, and finish them with a simple glaze for an easy treat that looks fussier than it really is.

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This recipe makes 24 regular muffins or 12 extra-large muffins, so it works well for bake sales, lunchbox treats, or stocking the freezer before the week gets busy. If you like keeping homemade mixes on hand, pair this one with A-B-C Muffin Base Mix so you can pull a batch together without hauling half the pantry onto the counter.

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🧁 Ingredients
🥣 Instructions
📌 Tips
🔄 Variations
🥡 Storage
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown
🛒 Walmart Grocery List
❓ FAQ
📌 Pin Recipe
🖨️ Printable Recipe Card

Ingredients for Hugs & Kisses Muffin Mix

You only need a few add-ins to turn the base mix into chocolate muffins with a candy center. The batter should stay slightly lumpy, so don’t beat it to death trying to make it perfectly smooth. Muffin batter likes a light hand. People, not so much.

4 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup oil
2 cups water
5 1/2 cups A-B-C Muffin Mix
1 1/2 cups cocoa
1/2 cup sugar
24 Hershey’s Kisses
Confectioners’ sugar and water, for glaze

If you want another pantry-friendly muffin idea for cooler weather, Gingerbread Muffin Mix is another good one to keep in rotation.

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How to Make Hugs & Kisses Muffins

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease or line your muffin tins before you start mixing. Fill regular muffin cups about three-quarters full so the batter can rise around the candy center without spilling over.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease or line 24 regular muffin cups, or 12 extra-large muffin cups.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, vanilla, oil, water, A-B-C Muffin Mix, cocoa, and sugar just until blended. Leave the batter slightly lumpy.
Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full.
Drop 1 Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each muffin and push it down slightly until the candy is covered with batter.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and baked through.
Cool the muffins completely.
Whisk confectioners’ sugar with a small amount of water until you have a drizzleable glaze, then spoon or drizzle it over the cooled muffins.

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Tips for the Best Chocolate Center Muffins

Keep the batter slightly lumpy. Overmixing develops the flour and gives you tougher muffins instead of tender ones.

Cover the kiss completely. If the top of the candy peeks through, it can stick or harden oddly on the surface instead of staying tucked inside the muffin.

Cool before glazing. Warm muffins melt a thin powdered sugar glaze right off the top, which is a fancy way of saying it runs everywhere except where you want it.

Use room-temperature eggs if you can. They blend more evenly into the batter and help the muffins rise more consistently.

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Easy Variations

Want to change them up without reinventing the whole recipe? Here are a few easy options:

Skip the glaze for a less-sweet lunchbox version.
Make extra-large muffins if you want bakery-style portions. The recipe yields 12.
Swap the candy center seasonally with a similar milk chocolate kiss variety if you already know your crowd likes it.
Serve them as dessert with a glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Try another mix-based muffin recipe like Snickerdoodle Muffins when you want something less chocolate-heavy.

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Storage and Freezing

Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days for best quality. If your kitchen runs warm or humid, move them to the refrigerator sooner rather than later.

For longer storage, refrigerate the muffins in a covered container for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. The 4-day refrigerator window follows general leftover food-safety guidance from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the freezer method works especially well here because these muffins reheat cleanly.

To reheat frozen muffins, microwave each muffin on high for 30 seconds.

If you’re making the dry A-B-C muffin base ahead for future batches, keep the mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place and use it within 12 months for best quality. That’s a practical estimate based on the shorter pantry life of the flour and leavening in the mix.

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Serving Suggestions

These are sweet enough for dessert but still pass nicely as a breakfast muffin if you don’t get too dramatic with the glaze. Serve them with coffee, cold milk, or hot cocoa for a full chocolate moment.

For parties or brunch trays, arrange them with fruit and a few plain muffins to balance things out. They’re also handy for bake sales because the hidden candy center gives them a little surprise without requiring extra decorating.

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💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Hugs & Kisses Muffin Mix

Ingredient	Walmart Item	Pkg Price	Amount Used	Cost Used
Eggs	Great Value Large White Eggs, 12 Count	$1.47	4	$0.49
Vanilla	Great Value Pure Vanilla Extract, 2 fl oz	$5.94	3 t.	$1.49
Oil	Great Value Vegetable Oil, 48 fl oz	$3.36	1 C.	$0.56
Water		–	2 C.	$0.01
A-B-C Muffin Mix	A-B-C Muffin Base Mix	$7.04	5 1/2 C.	$1.48
Cocoa	Great Value Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, 8 oz	$2.68	1 1/2 C.	$1.51
Sugar	Great Value Pure Granulated Sugar, 4 lb	$2.98	1/2 C.	$0.16
Hershey's Kisses	Hershey's Kisses, 11 oz Bag (about 55 pieces)	$3.98	24	$1.74
Confectioners' sugar	Great Value Powdered Sugar, 2 lb	$2.24	1 ≈ a light dusting	$0.01
Water for glaze		–	1 ≈ free regardless of amount	$0.01

💸	Cost
🧾 Total Batch Cost	$7.46
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Cost Per Serving	$0.31

📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!

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Not sure exactly what this batch costs you per serving? Here’s how to break down the real cost of any recipe so you know before you shop.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hugs & Kisses Muffin Mix

Can I make these as jumbo muffins instead of regular-size muffins?

Absolutely. This batch makes 12 extra-large muffins instead of 24 regular ones, so use a jumbo pan and still fill the cups about three-quarters full. Start checking near the 18-minute mark, but expect the larger muffins to need a few extra minutes because there’s more batter around that chocolate center.

Why should the batter stay slightly lumpy?

Because smoother is not better here. A slightly lumpy muffin batter keeps you from overmixing the flour, which helps the muffins bake up tender instead of dense and chewy.

Can I leave off the glaze?

You can, and the muffins will still work just fine. The glaze adds a little extra sweetness and a finished look, but if you want a less-sweet snack muffin or you’re packing them for lunches, skipping it is an easy fix.

How do I keep the Hershey’s Kiss from popping out of the top?

Push each candy down just far enough that the batter fully covers it. If any part of the kiss stays exposed, it can bake on the surface instead of melting neatly inside the muffin, and that ruins the little surprise in the center.

Can I freeze these muffins after baking?

Yes, they freeze very well. Cool them completely first, wrap or container them tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months so they don’t pick up freezer flavors. When you want one, microwave it on high for about 30 seconds per muffin.

What’s the best way to glaze the muffins without making a mess?

Wait until the muffins are completely cool, then stir confectioners’ sugar with just enough water to make a drizzleable glaze. Start with a small amount of water and add more by teaspoons, because it’s much easier to thin a glaze than rescue one that turned into sweet soup.

Can I make the batter ahead of time and bake later?

It’s better to bake the batter right after mixing. Muffin batters lose lift as they sit, so you’ll usually get a better rise and a lighter texture if the pan goes into the oven soon after the wet and dry ingredients are combined.

How should I store the baked muffins at room temperature?

Keep them in an airtight container once they’re fully cool. They’re best within about 3 days at room temperature, and placing a sheet of paper towel in the container helps catch excess moisture so the tops don’t turn sticky.

Can I scale this recipe down for a smaller batch?

You can cut it in half pretty easily if 24 muffins sounds like a bit much for one kitchen. Use 2 eggs, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, 1/2 cup oil, 1 cup water, 2 3/4 cups muffin mix, 3/4 cup cocoa, 1/4 cup sugar, and 12 chocolate kisses.

What can I serve with Hugs & Kisses muffins?

They pair well with coffee, cold milk, or hot cocoa if you’re leaning into the chocolate angle on purpose. For brunch trays or dessert boards, serve them with fresh strawberries or orange slices so you get a little contrast instead of a full-on sugar stampede.

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Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment and tell us how your batch turned out, whether you glazed them or kept them simple, and if you made regular or jumbo muffins.