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Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms have earned their place as a beloved crowd-pleaser at every holiday party and cookie exchange in my home. These cookies deliver a soft and chewy peanut butter base crowned with a single chocolate kiss melted perfectly in the center, creating the ultimate comfort treat for chocolate and peanut butter lovers alike.
I remember making these for the first time on a snowy afternoon with my youngest daughter. Now the dough chilling in the fridge is a surefire sign that the holidays are near, and everyone comes running when the Hershey Kisses make an appearance.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: Essential for the perfect cookie structure Look for unbleached flour for best flavor
- Baking soda: Provides lift for a light texture Ensure your baking soda is fresh for optimal rise
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens flavor Use fine sea salt for even distribution
- Creamy peanut butter: The key flavor and soft texture Choose a brand with a strong peanut flavor not natural style
- Unsalted butter: Creates tenderness and buttery flavor Use real butter at room temperature
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps cookies spread Choose very fine sugar for a smooth dough
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and caramel notes Lightly packed for just the right hint of molasses
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds richness Use farm-fresh for best results
- Milk: Helps keep cookies soft Use whole milk if you have it
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm undertones Opt for pure extract for real flavor
- Granulated sugar (for rolling): For rolling to create sparkly edges Choose superfine for the best crunch
- Hershey Kisses: The classic topping Unwrap your kisses before baking for easier assembly
Instructions
- Preparation:
- Whisk Dry Ingredients In a medium bowl whisk together flour baking soda and salt until fully combined This mixture forms your cookie foundation
- Cream Butters and Sugars:
- In a large mixing bowl use a hand mixer or stand mixer to blend peanut butter unsalted butter granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color This usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes on medium-high speed Proper creaming creates the soft texture
- Add Egg Milk and Vanilla:
- Beat in the large egg milk and vanilla extract scraping down the bowl as needed Continue mixing until just incorporated to avoid overmixing
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:
- Reduce the mixer speed and gradually add the flour mixture in small portions Mix until no streaks of flour remain This step ensures tender cookies
- Chill the Dough:
- Tightly cover the bowl or seal the dough in a food-safe container Chill for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading during baking Chilled dough is easier to handle and helps cookies hold shape
- Shape and Coat:
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll into 1-inch balls Using clean hands roll each ball in granulated sugar for a sparkly crisp outside
- Arrange for Baking:
- Place dough balls about two inches apart on a lined sheet pan spacing prevents cookies from merging Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit on the center rack
- Bake and Press with Kisses:
- Bake for seven to eight minutes until set but still soft Immediately press a Hershey Kiss into the center of each cookie pressing down gently to create beautiful crackly edges
- Finish Baking and Cool:
- Return pans to the oven and bake for two more minutes to let the chocolate settle Let cookies cool on the sheet for five to ten minutes before transferring to cooling racks to finish
The creamy peanut butter is my favorite part You can actually smell it through the kitchen as they bake which reminds me every year of childhood snow days when we would eat these cookies warm with cocoa. My kids fight over who gets the first cookie with the melted kiss and it is always a sweet memory.
Storage Tips
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with a slice of fresh bread to keep them ultra-soft for up to a week The bread helps retain moisture in the cookie not the bread For longer storage freeze the cookies in a single layer then stack with parchment paper between Once thawed they taste freshly baked
Easy Ingredient Swaps
If you only have salted butter reduce or skip the added salt No brown sugar Use an extra half cup of white sugar plus a teaspoon of molasses for depth For a nut allergy try sunflower seed butter though the flavor will change
How to Serve
Serve warm for an extra gooey chocolate center Peanut Butter Blossoms are classic for cookie platters holiday exchanges and birthdays Pair with a cold glass of milk or scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dreamy dessert
History Behind the Cookie
Peanut Butter Blossoms were first baked in the late 1950s for the Pillsbury Bake-Off and have been a holiday tradition ever since Their blend of simple American flavors is what makes them a forever favorite in homes like mine
Seasonal Adaptations
Swap regular Hershey Kisses for holiday-themed flavors like peppermint or dark chocolate Use colored sugar for rolling to match any holiday season Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to the top to boost flavor contrast Baking notes The dough must be chilled for the best shape Do not overbake or the cookies will dry out Unwrapping the Kisses ahead of time makes assembly easier
Success Stories
Every year friends beg for this recipe and leave a cookie plate at our door in hopes of getting a batch in return These cookies win over even those who claim to be chocolate purists and make a sweet simple edible gift
Freezer Meal Conversion
Freeze cookie dough balls after rolling in sugar and place them on a sheet pan Once solid store in freezer bags Bake directly from frozen by adding two extra minutes to the bake time Add the chocolate kiss after baking for best melting
However you make these, Peanut Butter Blossoms are the memory-making cookie your family will request year after year. Enjoy every soft, sweet bite.
Recipe FAQs
- → What makes these cookies soft and chewy?
Creaming the butter and sugars well, along with slightly underbaking, ensures a soft and tender cookie.
- → Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead?
Yes, though the texture will be slightly different—expect an added crunch in each bite.
- → Why chill the dough before baking?
Chilling firms up the dough, preventing excessive spreading and enhancing flavor depth during baking.
- → Are there alternatives to Hershey Kisses for topping?
Chocolate buttons, mini peanut butter cups, or even squares of chocolate make excellent substitutes for kisses.
- → How should these be stored for maximum freshness?
Place cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft for up to a week.
- → Can I freeze the dough or baked cookies?
Yes, both the dough and baked cookies freeze well. Thaw at room temperature before serving.