Dec 19, 2018 2 min read

Bakers are wondering about which Christmas grinch stole the tips this year from Hershey’s Kisses that are the centerpiece of a traditional holiday cookie recipe.

Complaints about the deformed chocolates have gone viral on a popular Facebook page geared to wedding reception cookie tables, said Laura Magone of Monongahela, who created the online community.

“There is obviously a manufacturing problem,” Magone said. “Suddenly, and for the first time ever the tips of the kisses are missing.”

The cause of the change in the shape of the kisses has not been revealed.

Several posts on the Wedding Cookie Table Community page indicated that its members were calling the Hershey-based company to complain about the appearance of the candy. The kisses are used in a recipe known as the peanut butter blossom, which is commonly found at wedding reception cookie tables, a tradition that is unique to the Pittsburgh region.

Magone said people from across the country have been complaining about the kisses, with some saying they have shrunk and the foil is not wrapped the same way as before.

“I know it sounds so crazy,” she said.

Hershey’s, after finding out about the complaints, reached out to Magone and said it planned to send her gifts, she said. She said she declined the offer, but will meet with a company representative to discuss its plan to participate in a wedding cookie table event.

Company spokesman Jeff Beckman said Hershey’s is looking into the issues that the Facebook page brought to its attention.

“We appreciate their love of the brand and taking the time to bring the appearance of our iconic Hershey’s Kisses to our attention,” Beckman said.

“We understand that bakers’ expectations are high for an iconic brand that is more than 100 years old because they are proud of their desserts,” he added.