Name: Peanut Butter Blossoms
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter; 1 large egg (room temperature); 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling); 36 milk chocolate candies (such as Hershey's Kisses, unwrapped)

Tender Peanut Butter Blossoms are the quintessential holiday cookie, featuring a soft, chewy peanut butter base crowned with a milk chocolate kiss. This classic recipe uses simple pantry staples for a treat that’s both nostalgic and irresistibly delicious. It’s the perfect addition to any cookie exchange or festive gathering.

The ritual of making these Christmas cookies always transports me back to my grandmother’s warm kitchen, the air thick with the scent of toasted sugar and roasting nuts. I’ve carried this tradition forward, perfecting the recipe over countless holiday seasons. They pair beautifully with a cup of hot chocolate or alongside a slice of my churro cheesecake for a truly decadent dessert spread, and are a wonderful addition to a platter that includes cranberry orange cookies.

For me, baking is an act of connection, and these Hershey Kiss cookies are one of the first recipes I love to share with new bakers. Their simplicity yields such satisfying results, making them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any potluck or family dinner.

Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Blossoms

Classic Crowd-Pleaser: These beloved cookies are always the first to disappear from any holiday platter.
Simple to Make: With just a few basic steps, you can have a batch ready in under an hour.
Perfect for Gifting: Their charming appearance and delicious taste make them a wonderful homemade gift.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Rolling the dough and pressing in the chocolates is a delightful activity for little helpers.

Ingredients for Perfect Peanut Butter Blossoms

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for a soft yet sturdy cookie.
Baking soda and salt: The soda ensures a nice rise, while the salt balances the sweetness.
Unsalted butter, softened: Creaming softened butter with the sugars creates a light, airy texture.
Granulated and light brown sugar: White sugar adds crispness, while brown sugar contributes moisture and a subtle caramel note.
Creamy peanut butter: Use a standard shelf-stable brand for the best texture and consistent flavor.
Egg and vanilla extract: The egg binds the dough, and vanilla enhances the overall warmth.
Additional granulated sugar: For rolling the dough balls to create a sparkling, crunchy exterior.
Milk chocolate candies: Unwrap the Hershey’s Kisses before baking for easy assembly.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms cookies with Hershey’s Kisses – soft peanut butter cookies topped with chocolate. Perfect holiday treat ready in 30 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Total Time 1

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 36 cookies

Calories 110 kcal

Equipment

oven
baking sheets
medium bowl
large bowl
electric mixer
whisk
rubber spatula
measuring cups
measuring spoons
small shallow dish
wire rack

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg room temperature
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For Rolling and Topping

1/4 cup granulated sugar for rolling
36 milk chocolate candies such as Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats; this helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until well combined. Set this dry mixture aside.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream together the 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar. Beat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. Add the 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter and continue beating until fully incorporated.
Beat in the 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed to ensure everything is mixed thoroughly.
Gradually add the reserved dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined. Mix only until no streaks of flour remain; do not overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. The dough should be soft but pliable enough to form into balls.
Pour the extra 1/4 cup granulated sugar into a small, shallow dish. Scoop the cookie dough and roll it into 1-inch balls. Then, roll each dough ball in the granulated sugar until it is completely coated. Place the sugared dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.
Bake one sheet at a time for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers appear just set. The cookies will look slightly underbaked in the center, which is perfect for maintaining a soft texture.
Immediately after removing the baking sheet from the oven, gently press one unwrapped milk chocolate candy (like a Hershey’s Kiss) into the center of each warm cookie. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Keyword cookies, holiday, peanut butter

Delicious Ways to Customize

Chocolate Variety: Experiment with dark chocolate, caramel-filled, or peppermint Kisses for a seasonal twist.
Peanut Butter Switch: Use crunchy peanut butter for added texture, or a natural brand for a richer flavor.
Festive Roll: Roll the dough balls in colored sanding sugar or crushed peanuts instead of plain sugar.

Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Blossoms

Proper Butter Temperature: Use genuinely softened butter for easy creaming, which incorporates air for a lighter cookie.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies are done when the edges are just golden; the centers will look soft but will set as they cool.
Timing is Everything: Press the chocolate kisses into the cookies immediately after they come out of the oven for the best adhesion.
Cooling is Key: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack. This technique helps achieve a wonderfully chewy texture, much like my favorite fudgy chewy brownies.

How to Store Your Cookies

Store: Keep cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
Freeze: Freeze unbaked dough balls or fully cooled baked cookies for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Thaw: Thaw frozen baked cookies at room temperature. Bake frozen dough balls directly from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Make-Ahead Tip: The cookie dough can be made, shaped into balls, and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage, perfect for baking in batches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my peanut butter blossoms dry and crumbly?

Dry cookies are often caused by overmeasuring the flour or overbaking. Be sure to spoon and level your flour when measuring, and pull the cookies from the oven when the edges are just set but the centers still look soft.

Can I use natural peanut butter for peanut butter blossoms?

You can, but the texture may be different. Natural peanut butter can make the dough oilier and cause the cookies to spread more. For best results, I recommend using a conventional, shelf-stable creamy peanut butter.

How do you keep Hershey Kisses from melting on peanut butter blossoms?

Press the kisses into the cookies immediately after they come out of the oven. The residual heat is just enough to slightly melt the base of the chocolate, helping it stick without causing it to lose its shape entirely.

Can you make peanut butter blossoms without a mixer?

Yes, you can mix the dough by hand. Use a wooden spoon to vigorously cream the butter and sugars until light, then mix in the remaining ingredients. It will require a bit more elbow grease but is completely doable.

Make These Peanut Butter Blossoms Tonight

With their perfect balance of salty and sweet, soft texture, and charming appearance, these Peanut Butter Blossoms are a timeless treat you’ll return to year after year. They are wonderfully simple to prepare and deliver maximum festive joy. I hope this recipe becomes a cherished part of your own holiday baking traditions.

Classic Holiday Treats