Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Pour sugar into a flat dish, like a baking pan or pie pan and set aside.

In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese until well blended, about 1-2 minutes.

Add egg and blend well.

Add cocoa and blend well.

Stir in sugar cookie mix just until combined. Mix will be dense at this point, so you may need to stir with a wooden spoon.

Using a cookie scoop for consistency, measure a scoop of dough and roll into a ball. Roll balls of dough in the granulated sugar until coated. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Gently press down slightly with your hand or a flat object like the bottom of a glass.

Bake for 7 minutes (no more) and remove from the oven. Quickly and gently press kisses into each cookie just until the cookie begins to crack slightly. Return cookies to the oven for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes.

Cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring to cooling racks.

Store cookies in an airtight container.