Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.

Unwrap all the Hershey Kisses and set them aside within reach. You’ll need to work quickly once the cookies come out of the oven.

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar and softened butter until the mixture looks light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, then mix again until fully combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda to evenly distribute the leavening.

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix just until a soft cookie dough forms—don’t overmix.

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball generously in sanding sugar, then place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 7 minutes. The cookies should look set but still pale and soft.

Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press one Hershey Kiss into the center of each cookie. The edges may crack slightly—totally normal and very cute.

Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet so the chocolate can firm up before serving.