If you are searching for a timeless, crowd-pleasing treat that blends the rich, creamy taste of peanut butter with the sweet surprise of a chocolate kiss, the Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe is your perfect answer. This classic cookie recipe delivers a soft, chewy texture packed with peanut buttery goodness, crowned with a glossy Hershey’s Kiss that melts in your mouth. It’s incredibly easy to make, ideal for parties, holidays, or just a cozy afternoon baking session. Get ready to fall in love with a cookie that feels like a warm hug!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Preparing the Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe is straightforward because it uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that each play a special role in crafting these delightful cookies. From the creamy peanut butter that gives flavor and moisture to the brown sugar adding softness and a hint of caramel, each ingredient brings something essential to the table.
- Butter (½ cup or 1 stick): Adds richness and tenderness to the cookies for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar (¼ cup): Provides sweetness and helps with cookie spreading and crisp edges.
- Brown sugar (¾ cup, packed): Imparts moisture and a deep, caramel-like flavor enhancing softness.
- Peanut butter (1 cup, not natural): The star of the recipe delivering creamy, nutty flavor while keeping cookies moist.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together and contributes to the cookie’s chewy texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 ½ teaspoons): Accentuates the peanut butter and adds warm sweetness.
- All-purpose flour (1 ½ cups, spooned and leveled): The base of the dough providing structure and chewiness.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps cookies rise slightly, keeping them light and soft.
- Kosher salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup, for rolling): Creates a sweet, slightly crunchy coating on the cookie exterior.
- Hershey’s Kisses (40 pieces): The iconic chocolate topping that adds a beautiful finish and rich chocolate hit.
How to Make Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars
Start by beating the softened butter together with both the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it creates air pockets that help the cookies bake up with a tender crumb and slight chewiness. Make sure your butter is at room temperature for the best results.
Step 2: Add Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla
Next, mix in the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined. The peanut butter adds the unmistakable flavor, while the egg acts as a binder, giving these cookies their structure. The vanilla enhances all the warm, sweet notes in the dough.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt. This evenly distributes the leavening agent and salt throughout the flour, ensuring that every cookie has a perfectly balanced flavor and texture.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet peanut butter mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing here to keep the cookies tender and avoid toughness. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
Step 5: Shape and Roll Dough Balls
Using your hands or a small scoop, form the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the half cup of granulated sugar until fully coated. This sugar coating not only adds a delightful crunch but also gives the cookies their classic sparkly appearance.
Step 6: Bake Cookies
Place the sugar-coated dough balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, leaving a couple of inches between each. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers still look soft. Don’t worry if they seem a little underbaked; they’ll firm up as they cool.
Step 7: Add Hershey’s Kisses
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, press a Hershey’s Kiss gently into the center of each cookie. The warmth will slightly soften the chocolate, helping it stick perfectly to the cookie while adding that classic burst of chocolate flavor.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe
Garnishes
If you want to take your Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe to the next level, consider sprinkling a tiny pinch of sea salt on top right after adding the Hershey’s Kiss for a sweet and salty contrast. Alternatively, you can dip the bottoms of the cookies in melted chocolate or drizzle melted peanut butter over them for an extra indulgent touch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, perfect for dipping to soften the cookie and blend the peanut butter with chocolate. For a grown-up twist, serve them alongside a cup of freshly brewed coffee or creamy hot chocolate. They also work great as a sweet complement to a simple bowl of fresh fruit or vanilla ice cream.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe the star of your dessert table by arranging them in a pretty tin or on a festive platter adorned with seasonal greenery or edible flowers. Stack a few with parchment paper between layers for gifting or serve as part of a cookie exchange. You can even turn them into cookie sandwiches with a dollop of peanut butter frosting or chocolate ganache between two cookies!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Peanut Butter Blossoms in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keeping them sealed properly preserves their soft texture and prevents the chocolate kisses from melting or becoming sticky.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze them on a baking sheet without the kisses first. Once frozen solid, transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze unbaked dough balls as well, rolling them in sugar before freezing for effortless baking anytime. When ready, bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To refresh stored Peanut Butter Blossoms, warm them gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This softens the cookie and revives that freshly baked flavor. Avoid microwaving for too long, as it can cause the chocolate to melt unevenly and the cookie to become too soft.
FAQs
Can I use natural peanut butter for Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe?
Natural peanut butter is typically oilier and thinner, which can affect the texture of your cookies, making them spread too much. It’s best to use the classic creamy peanut butter to get the right consistency and flavor.
Why do you roll the dough balls in sugar before baking?
Rolling the dough in sugar adds a slight crunch and a shiny, sparkly finish to the cookies. It also helps prevent them from sticking to the baking sheet and creates a beautiful contrast to the soft, chewy cookie inside.
How do I ensure my Hershey’s Kisses stick properly?
Press the kisses into the hot cookies immediately after removing them from the oven. The heat softens the chocolate slightly, allowing it to adhere firmly. Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing to keep the kisses in place.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to achieve the right texture.
What is the best way to prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your dough is properly chilled if it feels too soft, and avoid using natural peanut butter. Also, be precise with your flour measurement by spooning and leveling it to prevent too much spread during baking.
Final Thoughts
The Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe is a warm, nostalgic treasure that’s simple enough for beginners yet irresistibly delicious for cookie lovers everywhere. With its perfect blend of peanut butter richness and chocolate indulgence, it’s no wonder these cookies have stood the test of time. Why not bake a batch today, share the love, and create sweet memories that everyone will adore?
Print
Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 40 cookies
- Category: Cookie
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Peanut Butter Blossoms are classic, soft peanut butter cookies topped with a melty Hershey’s Kiss in the center. These festive cookies combine the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter with a sweet chocolate kiss, perfect for holiday gatherings or any sweet tooth craving. The dough is rolled in sugar before baking to give a deliciously crisp exterior while the inside stays soft and chewy.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup butter (1 stick)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup peanut butter (not natural peanut butter)
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For Rolling and Topping
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 40 Hershey’s Kisses (about half an 11-ounce package)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, ¼ cup granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt.
- Make the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet peanut butter mixture, stirring to combine evenly until a soft dough forms.
- Form and Roll Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll them into balls. Then roll each dough ball in the ½ cup granulated sugar to coat completely.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the sugar-coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. The center should still look soft.
- Add Hershey’s Kisses: Immediately upon removing the cookies from the oven, press one Hershey’s Kiss gently into the center of each cookie. The warmth will make the chocolate slightly melt and adhere.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
- Use regular creamy peanut butter, not natural, for the best texture and sweetness.
- Make sure to press the Hershey’s Kiss into the cookie while it is still warm so it sticks well.
- If you want to avoid spreading, chill the dough balls briefly before baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- These cookies can also be frozen after baking for longer storage; just thaw before serving.
