You love Hershey’s Kisses, but are they vegan? Unfortunately, traditional Hershey’s Kisses contain dairy milk from cow’s milk, making them off-limits to vegans and those with dairy allergies or intolerances. But don’t worry, you can make your own vegan chocolate kisses using dairy-free chocolate and a few simple ingredients!
You can customize them with flavors such as peppermint or orange extract, and they’re low-calorie to boot! Want to learn the secret to making the perfect vegan Hershey’s Kisses? Keep going to uncover the easiest recipe and tips to get you started!
What Makes Hershey’s Kisses Non-Vegan
Hershey’s Kisses are non-vegan because they contain milk, specifically dairy milk from cow’s milk.
This milk-based ingredient makes them incompatible with a vegan diet and lifestyle.
As a result, Hershey’s Kisses don’t have a vegan certification and don’t meet vegan standards.
The Benefits of Vegan Chocolate Kisses
Vegan chocolate kisses are a delicious and guilt-free treat that aligns with your values and dietary needs. Each serving has only 19kcal. Made with plant-based ingredients, they’re suitable for those with dairy allergies or intolerances.
You can easily make vegan chocolate kisses at home with minimal ingredients. You can customize them to your taste by adding different flavors like peppermint or orange extract.
You can also add textures like crushed nuts or shredded coconut. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks or frozen for 1-2 months.
How to Make Vegan Hershey Kisses
Make vegan Hershey kisses by melting dairy-free chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring between heating increments until smooth.
Pipe the mixture into Hershey kiss molds or onto a parchment-lined baking sheet using a reusable piping bag or a plastic bag with a corner cut off.
Chill the kisses in the refrigerator for 40 minutes until firm.
Customize by adding flavors like peppermint or orange extract or dipping tops in crushed nuts or shredded coconut.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for 1-2 months.
Choosing the Right Chocolate Options
For vegan Hershey’s Kisses, choose a high-quality, dairy-free chocolate that suits your taste and dietary needs.
Dark chocolate is a good option since it’s naturally dairy-free and packed with antioxidants.
You can use vegan dark chocolate melts from Wilton or Sjaak’s fair trade and organic extra dark bites.
You can also make your own vegan chocolate chips from scratch.
Piping and Shaping the Kisses
Pipe small, round kisses onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, about 1 inch in diameter, to mimic traditional Hershey’s Kisses.
When shaping kisses, expect:
- Use a toothpick to remove air bubbles after piping the melted chocolate mixture.
- Chill kisses in the refrigerator for about 40 minutes until firm.
- Pipe kisses in small, round shapes, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Store set kisses in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for 1-2 months.
These vegan chocolate kisses aren’t only delicious but also cruelty-free and perfect for those with dairy allergies or intolerances.
Storage and Serving Suggestions
Store your vegan Hershey’s Kisses in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, use the refrigerator (up to 3 weeks) or freezer (1-2 months).
Before eating frozen Kisses, thaw them for 10 minutes.
Keep them away from strong-smelling foods and store in an airtight container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible.
Vegan Chocolate Candy Alternatives
Vegan chocolate candy alternatives to Hershey’s Kisses include:
- Trader Joe’s dark mint chocolate discs
- Wilton’s dark chocolate discs (check the ingredients list to verify they’re milk-free)
- Sjaak’s fair trade and organic extra dark bites
- Melted chocolate piped into kiss-shaped molds for a homemade treat
- Homemade Hershey’s Kisses made by melting dark chocolate and piping it into kiss shapes using a recipe.
These alternatives can be used in recipes or as a quick snack, and allow for customization of flavors and ingredients.
Tips for Making Perfect Kisses
To make perfect vegan Hershey’s kisses, use high-quality dairy-free chocolate that melts smoothly and consistently.
Melt the chocolate in short heating increments in the microwave or a double boiler to prevent burning or seizing.
Pour the melted chocolate into a kiss-shaped mold or a small round candy mold.
Tap the mold gently on the counter to remove air bubbles, and use a toothpick to remove any remaining bubbles.
Refrigerate the kisses until firm, then store them in an airtight container to prevent blooming or streaking.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your vegan Hershey’s Kisses aren’t setting, the chocolate mightn’t be tempered correctly or the mold mightn’t be cold enough. Refrigerate the mixture for a few minutes before piping into the mold.
Why temper chocolate? It is what gives the chocolate bars you eat that finished glossy, shiny appearance and that nice snap when you eat it.
If you don’t actively temper your chocolate, you might get lucky or you might not.
Air pockets form if you don’t tap the mold gently on the counter after piping in the chocolate mixture.
If your kisses are soft, you might be using low-quality dairy-free chocolate or not chilling the mixture long enough. Use higher-quality chocolate and refrigerate the mixture for a longer time.
To maintain your kisses’ shape, don’t overfill the mold and tap it gently on the counter to remove air bubbles.
If your kisses aren’t releasing from the mold, refrigerate the mold for a few minutes to harden the chocolate, then gently pop out the kisses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Vegans Eat Hershey’s Kisses?
Hershey’s Kisses contain dairy, making them non-vegan.
Are Any Hershey Products Vegan?
Hershey’s offers vegan options like their Dark Chocolate Bars. However, their Kisses contain dairy products and are not vegan.
What Chocolate Candy Is Vegan?
Sjaak’s Organic Extra Dark Bites, Trader Joe’s Dark Mint Chocolate Discs, and Wilton’s Vegan Dark Chocolate Melts are vegan chocolate candies.
Do Hershey’s Kisses Have Dairy?
Hershey’s Kisses contain dairy, including the dark chocolate variety, making them non-vegan.