Soft, chewy peanut butter blossoms are rolled in sugar and topped with a Hershey kiss. These cookies should be a little crisp on the outside and soft and chewy within.
12 Days of Christmas Cookies
An old favorite.
My first introduction to the magical world of chocolate and peanut butter!
A pairing made in Heaven.
I am persnickety about my Peanut Butter Blossoms. {Can you even imagine?} I prefer to eat them 1-3 hours after they come out of the oven or slightly warmed up. You know, when the Kiss hasn’t quite firmed up yet, so you get a little melty, milk chocolate in each bite. That’s the stuff.
Truth be told, when cooled completely, I eat the cookie and then the Kiss.
The trick to making these soft is roll ‘em big and underbake. It’s the only way. I ruined 3 dozen cookies trying to bake 1 inch balls into soft, chewy perfection. No. Not with this recipe.
I used the Gold Standard Betty Crocker recipe but I made a few tweaks. A little vanilla, a little pinch of salt, a different baking temperature and a different order of combination of ingredients. Nothing major but sometimes it’s the little things that count. (Or at least that’s what I was told last Christmas. #justkidding Tee hee.)
I searched each and every single one of my old cookbooks and came up with approximately zero recipes for Peanut Butter Blossoms.
Not one.
So I did a little digging and I found that Mrs. Freda F Smith created these magical cookies for the Pillsbury National Bake Off in 1949. They were runner-up but have been gracing the cookie tray ever since. I wonder what won? Must have been awesome.
The Betty Crocker recipe is almost identical to the original recipe except it has a bit less flour, an extra egg and they eliminated the vanilla, which I unwittingly added back in!
Peanut Butter Blossoms are a Christmas Cookie favorite but you will love these classic peanut butter chocolate classics all year round! They are incredibly easy to make and chocolate and peanut butter is an all-year-round kinda thing.
These Peanut Butter Blossoms are for the fifth day of my 12 Days of Christmas Cookies. You won't want to miss the Old Fashioned Oat Lace Cookies, Raspberry Linzer Cookies, Holiday Bark or Cherry Pecan Cookies!
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Ingredients
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (plus more for rolling)
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (I use Jiff)
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- pinch kosher salt
- 36 Hershey Kisses (buy one 12 oz bag – you’ll have some leftover!)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, soda, powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl cream together butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy; add peanut butter, beat until incorporated; add egg and vanilla, beat until incorporated. You can beat with a hand mixer on medium or a wooden spoon.
- Add the flour in 3 additions, mixing on low speed between each one.
- Shape dough into 2-inch balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased, unlined baking sheet. Bake 8 minutes or until the edges just begin to crack but there are no deep crevices in the center. Immediately press a Kiss in the center of each cookie and remove to a wire rack to cool.
- Store in an airtight container. They are best eaten within 4 days.
More Holiday Treats to Make the Season Bright!
Spiced Apple Cider Cranberry Cupcakes
Soft Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tara says
great cookies! With a 2" cookie scoop, I was only able to get 21 cookies total, no where near 3 dozen as the recipe specified. Guess I'll have to make another batch!!
Lindsey says
Hi Tara, This year I made them with a much smaller cookie scoop, plus then you get more chocolate kiss for your blossom! I used a 3/4" scoop, which I like much better!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
omigosh I'm exactly the same about pb blossoms!!!
and yours look like the best evahhh!
Lindsey says
Must.Be.Chewy!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
Lindsey, Sea-Tac airport just called and said that you'd be flying in to make me these cookies, but they wouldn't tell me an arrival time. Tell me darling, when can I expect you? 🙂 They look FABulous. But, do you do any less? Ummmmm...that would be no. It's ALL FABulous! xoxo
Lindsey says
ALOL! You crack me up! I wish I could fly in to bring you cookies!
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says
I just recently posted Peanut Butter Blossoms as well. They are my favorite Christmas cookie and I agree: Underbaked and chewy are the way to go!! 🙂
Lindsey says
Underbaking is not optional! I'll have to check out yours!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Peanut butter blossoms are one of my favorite holiday cookies! Underbaked and chewy cookies are my weakness! I love how gorgeous and perfect yours look!:)
Lindsey says
Mine too! My husband just cannot understand but under-baked goods lovers unite!
marcie says
Peanut butter blossoms -- you just can't go wrong! They're one of the ultimate Christmas cookies, and these look so fluffy, chewy, and perfect!
David @ Spiced says
There they are! I've been wondering when my first-place tie cookies would show up...and now I found them! But the kiss last? I'm more of the kiss first kinda guy? The chocolate is delicious and all...but let's move past that and save that delicious cookie for last!
Lindsey says
Haha! You are right. Truth be told I eat around the kiss and cookie under the kiss, then eat the kiss, then eat the last bit of chewy cookie. But that seemed like a whole lot to explain to people and it made me feel a little odd, so I left it out! 😉
Sophia says
I love your cookies, you always make amazing cookies and these are no exception. They looks so moist and chewy, my fav type of cookie. I wonder what won too, they mast have been out of this world cookies.
Lindsey says
Thanks, Sophia!!
Oana says
Such a lovely treat for peanut butter lovers! Myself included! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I'm loving your holiday treats, but those pecan cherry cookies instantly caught my attention, so delicate and elegant!
Lindsey says
Thanks, Oana! The cherry pecan cookies are my favorite photos so far!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
oh my goodness! I read that same article about Mrs. Smith!! I absolutely love Peanut Butter Blossoms and for me, this cookie is truly a classic and are to enjoyed all year round!! love these!!
Lindsey says
Did you really!? I thought I was the only foodie nerd who just needed to know where the recipe came from!
Kathleen @ Yummy Crumble says
I love vintage recipes! These look awesome and perfect for a cookie swap 🙂
Lindsey says
Me too, Kathleen! They make me happy!
Kelly @ Trial and Eater says
I L.O.V.E. peanut butter blossoms - best combo ever.
Lindsey says
Me too Kelly!!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Peanut butter blossoms are one of my favorite cookies! Love the peanut butter dough combined with the chocolate. Such a great cookie for the holidays, Lindsey!
Lindsey says
Agreed! Mmmm peanut butter!
Sophie says
I love these special sort cookies! They look like fun to make!
MMMMM,...I never tasted such a special cookie before! 🙂