If you’re craving a cookie that’s both nostalgic and bursting with flavor, I absolutely love sharing this Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe with friends and family. These charming little cookies combine rich peanut butter dough with that irresistible Hershey’s chocolate kiss on top—making them a guaranteed hit every time. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll see why it’s a classic that never goes out of style. Stick with me here, and I’ll walk you through every step to get yours perfect!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The smooth peanut butter pairs beautifully with the sweet chocolate kiss on top.
- Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples come together quickly with no fancy equipment needed.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Rolling and topping these cookies is a great activity to enjoy with little helpers.
- Show-Stopping Look: These cookies look like you spent hours decorating, but they’re super easy to make.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What I love most about this Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe is how accessible the ingredients are, yet how magical the results feel. You’ll want to reach for creamy peanut butter as the star, paired with some simple baking staples. Here’s a quick rundown of what makes this cookie dough shine.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: This gives the cookie its signature rich flavor and tender texture—natural or processed works fine here.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temp for easy creaming; key for that melt-in-your-mouth softness.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness, and a little extra for rolling helps create a fun sugar crust outside.
- Light Brown Sugar: Brings moisture and a mild caramel undertone that balances the peanut butter.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors—don’t skip this!
- Egg: Room temperature is best to create a smooth dough and bind the ingredients together.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash to deepen and round out the flavors.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structure base, use fresh for best rise and tenderness.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies puff just right and crack beautifully.
- Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses: Unwrapped, of course—the perfect finishing touch that melts slightly into the center.
Variations
I’ve experimented with a few twists on the classic Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe over the years, and honestly, this cookie loves a bit of personalization. Whether you’re aiming for a dietary swap or mixing up the flair, there’s a fun way to make this recipe your own.
- Nut-Free Option: If you want to avoid peanuts, try swapping peanut butter with sunflower seed butter—still delicious, just remember to check your chocolate for allergens.
- Extra Crunch: Stir in chopped roasted peanuts or a handful of mini chocolate chips before baking for a surprise texture boost.
- Holiday Flavors: Adding a touch of cinnamon or a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking gives a festive twist that’s always a hit.
- Vegan Version: Use vegan butter, a flax egg replacement, and dairy-free chocolate kisses to make this cookie accessible to everyone.
How to Make Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Cream Your Butters and Sugars Like a Pro
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining your cookie sheets with parchment paper—this makes cleanup a breeze. In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine your creamy peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and salt. Beat them together on medium speed until everything looks light, fluffy, and well blended. This step is crucial because it creates a tender dough that’s not dry or crumbly.
Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla, Then Fold in Dry Ingredients
Once your butter-sugar mix looks dreamy, add in your egg and vanilla extract. Beat again until smooth. Scrape down the sides of your bowl so nothing is left behind—this keeps everything evenly combined. Now, reduce your mixer speed to low and mix in the flour and baking soda just until incorporated. Don’t overbeat here; you want to keep these cookies tender and soft.
Step 3: Roll, Coat, and Bake to Perfection
Here’s the fun part! Scoop about 1-inch balls of dough and roll them between your palms to smooth them out. For that classic sparkle, I like to roll the dough balls in a little extra granulated sugar before placing them on your prepared cookie sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the tops are puffy and show those signature cracks. Right when they come out of the oven, gently press an unwrapped Hershey’s chocolate kiss in the center of each. Don’t worry if the cookies crack—that’s exactly what makes them look amazing!
Step 4: Cool and Enjoy Every Bite
Allow your cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet so the chocolate sets nicely. This waiting game is tough, I know—but it’s worth it! Once cooled, these cookies will be tender, moist, and loaded with peanut butter goodness topped with melty chocolate. Grab one, maybe two—you deserve it.
Pro Tips for Making Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: I learned early on that having your egg and butter at room temp helps the dough come together smoothly and gives you the best texture.
- Don’t Skip Scraping the Bowl: I used to overlook this, but it really prevents uneven mixing and ensures consistent cookies.
- Press Chocolate Kisses Warm: Placing the chocolates right out of the oven helps them melt slightly, bonding to the cookie perfectly.
- Watch the Bake Time Closely: Cookies can go from perfect to overdone in a minute—aim for puffy with cracks, then pull them immediately.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with this cookie because it already looks so pretty, but if I’m feeling fancy, a light dusting of powdered sugar after the chocolate sets adds a snowy effect that’s perfect for holidays. Sometimes I’ll sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on the chocolate kiss before it cools to add a delightful sweet-salty kick that everyone raves about.
Side Dishes
These cookies are fantastic on their own with a cold glass of milk, but I often serve them alongside fresh fruit plate or a cozy cup of hot cocoa, especially during chilly months. They’re also a top contender at cookie exchanges paired with other festive treats like sugar cookies and gingerbread.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged these cookies in circular patterns on platters with colorful sprinkles or edible glitter around the edges. Tying little cellophane bags with red ribbon and including 3-4 cookies each makes for an adorable and delicious gift. You can even stack them in mason jars with layers of parchment paper as a charming, ready-to-gift presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, which keeps them soft and fresh for up to a week. To avoid the chocolate kisses melting or sticking, I layer the cookies with parchment paper. Every time, my family goes crazy for the leftovers that somehow taste even better the next day!
Freezing
If you want to prep in advance, these cookies freeze beautifully. I freeze the baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. When you’re ready, they thaw quickly at room temperature or in just minutes in the microwave.
Reheating
To warm up the cookies without melting the chocolate too much, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for a few minutes. This brings back that just-baked softness and makes your Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies feel fresh from the oven again.
FAQs
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Can I use natural peanut butter for this Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe?
Yes! You can use natural peanut butter, but since it’s less sweet and has more oil separation than processed varieties, you may want to slightly adjust the sugar amount or chill your dough before baking to maintain the right texture.
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Why do my cookies spread too much?
This usually happens if the butter is too warm or the dough isn’t chilled before baking. To fix this, make sure your butter is softened—not melted—and consider chilling the dough for 30 minutes to an hour before baking so the cookies hold their shape better.
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Can I bake these without Hershey’s Kisses?
Absolutely. Though the kiss is iconic, you can substitute with a small piece of chocolate bar, a peanut, or even leave them plain. Just know the cookies will have a different look and slightly different flavor balance.
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How do I make these cookies vegan?
Use a plant-based butter substitute, replace the egg with a flax or chia egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water), and choose vegan chocolate kisses or chips to keep the cookie 100% vegan-friendly.
Final Thoughts
This Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe has a special place in my kitchen and heart. I remember making them with my family during holidays, the excitement when the chocolate melted just right, and the way everyone’s faces lit up after their first bite. They’re a simple recipe to master but a truly impressive cookie to serve. I can’t wait for you to try them yourself and share that same joy. Happy baking, friend!
PrintPeanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Peanut Butter Blossoms are classic, tender, and moist cookies featuring a creamy peanut butter dough rolled in sugar and topped with a Hershey’s chocolate kiss. These easy-to-make cookies combine rich peanut butter flavor with a sweet chocolate center, perfect for any occasion or holiday treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (188g)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
- ½ cup granulated sugar, plus more for rolling (100g)
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar (110g)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (180g)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Topping
- 36 Hershey’s chocolate kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line cookie sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and salt. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is well combined and creamy, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Continue beating until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and baking soda to the wet mixture. Beat on low speed just until combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the dough tender.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop or roll the dough into 1-inch balls. If desired, roll the balls in additional granulated sugar for a sparkly finish. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies look puffy, are cracked on top, and the bottoms just begin to brown, indicating they are set but still soft inside.
- Add Chocolate Kisses: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press one unwrapped Hershey’s chocolate kiss gently into the center of each cookie. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets so that the chocolate sets firmly.
- Serve or Store: Once cooled, serve the cookies fresh or store them in an airtight container for up to 1 week to maintain freshness and softness.
Notes
- These cookies are best enjoyed when freshly baked, offering a tender and moist texture with a perfect balance of sweet and peanut buttery flavors.
- The cracks on top of the cookies when baked are expected and add to their classic look.
- Using room temperature egg and softened butter helps to achieve a smooth and well-incorporated dough.
- Rolling the dough balls in granulated sugar before baking adds a subtle crunch and sparkly appearance.
- Make sure to press the chocolate kisses in immediately after baking while the cookies are hot so the chocolate softens and adheres properly.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and delicious.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 121 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 62 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 13 mg