Hershey’s Kisses are made with love and today Hershey’s make 70 million Kisses every day! That’s a lot of love to share. As one of the world’s biggest chocolate manufacturers, The Hershey Chocolate Company know all just about everything there is to know about making chocolate.
When it comes to American candy, and in particular American chocolate, having been in the chocolate business since 1894 Hershey’s is a household name, not only in the States but worldwide.
Who invented the Hershey’s Kiss?
After the success of Hershey Milk Chocolate Bars back in 1900, Milton S. Hershey, the founder of the Hershey Company introduced a new bite-sized chocolate candy named Hershey’s Kisses in 1907.
Back then, these flat-bottomed, conical pieces of chocolate were individually hand wrapped in aluminium foil. A tag was also inserted with the Hershey name to make it stand out from their competitors. In 1921 to help speed up the process, machine wrapping was introduced and the paper tag or to give it the proper name, the paper plume then changed to read ‘Kisses’.
Where did Hershey’s Kisses get their name?
As one of the most popular brands of candies in America, Kisses are a firm favourite, but where did Hershey’s Kisses get their name? According to Hershey, there are several versions of how Kisses chocolate got the name, and no one knows for sure which one is true.
Our favourite is that the machines which produced the Kisses made a sound like a kiss. The other is that ‘kiss’ was a common word for confectionery at the time referring to a small piece of candy.
Hershey’s Kisses Fun Facts
- Today’s machines can wrap up to 1,300 Hershey’s Kisses per minute - Phew!
- For the 100th year anniversary in 2007, the Hershey Company made a giant Kisses Chocolate weighing 30,540 pounds, the equivalent of more than 3 million standard-sized Kisses.
- The paper flag or paper plume in Hershey’s Kisses is also known as a Niggly Wiggly.
- Original milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses are delicious, but have you tried some of the exciting flavours today such as Hershey’s Kisses Birthday Cake and Strawberry Ice Cream Cone flavour Kisses.
Are Hershey’s Kisses Halal/Vegan?
Hershey’s Kisses are Halal, but unfortunately not vegan, as Hershey’s chocolate products contain dairy.
Hershey’s Kisses Recipes
At Candy Mail, there’s only one thing we like more than eating Hershey’s Kisses and that’s using them in cooking. There are some delicious cake and cookie recipes, here’s one of our favourite Hershey’s Kisses recipe for Chocolate Kiss Cookies.
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup sugar, divided
1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
24 milk chocolate kisses
METHOD
Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Cream butter, brown sugar and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, egg yolk and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk next 5 ingredients; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
Shape rounded tablespoons of dough into balls. Roll in remaining sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until edges begin to brown, 8-10 minutes. Immediately press a chocolate Kiss into centre of each cookie (cookie will crack around edges). Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Where can I buy Hershey’s Kisses in the UK?
If you’re looking to share a little happiness with Hershey’s Kisses or just enjoy them by yourself, you can buy them in the UK right here. Take your pick from the amazing range of American chocolate candies from The Hershey Chocolate Company.
Don’t miss these cute Hershey’s Conversation Kisses, there’s nothing better to say ‘I love you’ and if you can’t get enough Kisses then this mega 1kg Hershey’s Kisses Party Bag is perfect for sharing (if you want to!)
Want some Kisses for breakfast, this sweet and crunchy Hershey’s Kisses cereal is the perfect treat to satisfy your need for the sweet stuff any time of day!