Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe

Peanut Butter Blossoms are a beloved cookie that combines the creamy richness of peanut butter with the sweetness of a chocolate kiss on top. These iconic cookies are soft and chewy, with a delicious balance of salty peanut butter and sweet chocolate. The perfect addition to any cookie platter, they’re a hit during the holidays but are welcome at any time of year. If you're looking for a simple, crowd-pleasing cookie, Peanut Butter Blossoms are the way to go!

This step-by-step guide will help you make classic peanut butter blossoms that are soft, chewy, and topped with a perfectly placed Hershey's Kiss.

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What Are Peanut Butter Blossoms?

Peanut Butter Blossoms are soft peanut butter cookies that are rolled in sugar before baking, and then, while still warm, topped with a Hershey's Kiss. The chocolate kiss melts slightly into the cookie, creating a delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate in every bite. The cookies have a soft, chewy texture that complements the smooth chocolate perfectly.

Ingredients List for Peanut Butter Blossoms

For the Cookies:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Topping:

• About 24 Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped)

Substitutions and Variations

Peanut Butter Blossoms are easy to customize, and you can make a few substitutions or tweaks to suit your preferences or dietary needs:

• Peanut Butter Alternatives: You can use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter as a substitute for peanut butter. Just note that some nut butters may be oilier and could slightly change the texture.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based butter and dairy-free chocolate kisses or chunks to make these cookies dairy-free.
• Sugar-Free Option: Substitute the sugars with sugar alternatives like monk fruit sweetener or erythritol for a lower-sugar version.
• Chocolate Alternatives: Swap out the Hershey’s Kisses for other chocolate varieties, like mini peanut butter cups, Rolos, or even dark chocolate squares for a different flavor twist.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these easy steps to bake up a batch of classic peanut butter blossoms that everyone will love.

1. Prepare the Dough:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add the egg, milk, and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until fully combined.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

2. Shape and Roll the Cookies:

• Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball between your hands.
• Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar until fully coated, then place them on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.

3. Bake the Cookies:

• Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops have just started to crack.
• While the cookies are baking, unwrap the Hershey’s Kisses so they’re ready to go.

4. Add the Hershey’s Kisses:

• As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. The cookies will crack slightly more around the edges as you press the chocolate in, which is perfectly normal.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. The Hershey’s Kisses will become soft from the warmth of the cookies but will firm up again as the cookies cool.

How to Cook Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here are a few tips to ensure your peanut butter blossoms turn out soft, chewy, and delicious every time:

• Don’t Overbake: The cookies should be baked just until the edges are set and the tops are slightly cracked. The centers may look underbaked, but they will continue to cook as the cookies cool, ensuring a soft, chewy texture.
• Work Quickly with the Hershey’s Kisses: Press the Hershey’s Kisses into the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven while they’re still warm. This helps the chocolate melt slightly into the cookie for a perfect balance of flavors.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even though this recipe is simple, there are a few common mistakes that can affect your results. Here’s how to avoid them:

• Not Softening the Butter: Make sure the butter is properly softened. If the butter is too cold, it won’t cream well with the sugars, resulting in dense cookies. On the other hand, butter that’s too warm may cause the cookies to spread too much while baking.
• Overmixing the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies instead of the soft, tender texture you want.
• Skipping the Sugar Roll: Rolling the dough balls in granulated sugar adds a nice crunch to the outside of the cookie and helps achieve that classic crackled top.

Serving and Presentation Tips

Peanut butter blossoms are as beautiful as they are delicious. Here are some ideas to serve and present them beautifully:

How to Serve Peanut Butter Blossoms:

• Serve the cookies at room temperature, allowing the chocolate to fully set before serving. You can also refrigerate the cookies if you prefer firmer chocolate.
• Pair them with a glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or coffee for the perfect dessert or snack.

Presentation Ideas for Peanut Butter Blossoms:

• Holiday Decor: Use holiday-themed Hershey’s Kisses (like red and green foil-wrapped kisses for Christmas or pastel ones for Easter) to add a festive touch to the cookies.
• Gift Packaging: Arrange the cookies in a decorative tin or box lined with parchment paper for a thoughtful homemade gift.

Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe Tips

Here are a few extra tips to make sure your peanut butter blossoms turn out perfectly every time:

• Make Ahead: The dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. Let the dough come to room temperature for about 10 minutes before rolling and baking.
• Freezing the Dough: You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls. After shaping them, place the dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, roll the frozen dough balls in sugar and bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time.
• Chill the Kisses: If you want the Hershey’s Kisses to stay firm longer, chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before placing them on the hot cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I freeze peanut butter blossoms?
A: Yes! Peanut butter blossoms freeze well. Once the cookies have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Q: How long will peanut butter blossoms stay fresh?
A: Peanut butter blossoms will stay fresh for up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them, though this may firm up the chocolate.

Q: Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
A: Yes, you can use chunky peanut butter if you prefer a bit of crunch in your cookies. Just note that the texture of the cookies may be slightly different.

Conclusion

Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms are a simple yet delicious treat that combines the flavors of peanut butter and chocolate in the perfect way. With their soft, chewy texture and a chocolate kiss in the center, these cookies are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion, especially during the holidays. Whether you’re baking them for a party, to share with friends, or just for yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit. Follow this recipe and use the tips provided to make a batch of these iconic cookies, and enjoy the sweet combination of peanut butter and chocolate in every bite!

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