Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
It’s that time of year again when we’re all getting ready for the holidays, and one thing I love about this season is baking cookies! I am here to share one of my favorite classic recipes: peanut butter blossom cookies.
These treats are a hit at home and may make you the star of your cookie exchange. You’ve likely had them at family gatherings, bake sales, and office parties, or received them on a holiday goodies gift tray.
While they’re basically just peanut butter cookies topped with a milk chocolate Hershey Kiss in the center of each cookie, that iconic combination of flavors is tough to beat. (Some people use a peanut butter cup in the center instead, if you want to mix it up.)
Did you know that the original recipe for peanut butter blossoms dates back to the 1950s?
The recipe was created by an Ohio woman named Freda Smith. She submitted her creative confection of peanut butter cookies with chocolate candies to the 1957 Pillsbury Bake-Off and was among the finalists. Since then, they have taken off in popularity.
I remember my grandmother making these cookies for our family when I was a child, and we loved them. Peanut butter blossoms are a tradition I love to continue for my own family and friends.
Peanut butter blossoms are also a fantastic way to involve kids in the kitchen. They can help measure ingredients, mix the dough, and roll it in sugar. Learning to shape dough and placing Hershey’s Kisses on top of the warm cookies are especially fun and easy tasks for little hands.
Why are these cookies called peanut butter blossoms?
If you check out the link to the full history above, you’ll see that they were named from the beginning for their resemblance to flowers. When Smith entered the bake-off she submitted them as “Black-Eyed Susans” because they reminded her of that particular flower.
Fresh out of the oven, the cookie dough balls form the “petals” when they bake, puffing slightly to develop cracks on the surface. Placing the Hershey’s Kiss in the middle resembles the center of a flower. When Pillsbury distributed the recipe, for whatever reason the company renamed them to Peanut Butter Blossoms.
It’s a charming name that fits the look and taste, so why not?
What to serve with peanut butter blossom cookies
Now we’ve covered the backstory of peanut butter blossoms, let’s talk about what other foods go well with them. Not just reserved for the holidays and cookie trays, these treats are a great dessert option for many different meals and occasions.
They’re particularly perfect as a sweet treat after a hearty meal, such as a pot roast (find the best pot roast recipe here) or sweet and savory pumpkin chili. The combination of sugars, chocolate and peanut butter complements the rich and savory flavors of dishes like these so well.
If you’re enjoying them all by themselves, a cold glass of milk or a warm mug of hot cocoa. The creaminess of either drink enhances the flavors of the peanut butter and chocolate kiss. If that sounds too rich, serve them with a simple cup of coffee or hot tea.
For an extra-rich dessert, wedge a couple in alongside a scoop of ice cream — I always say vanilla, but you could go all out on the chocolate or peanut butter tastes by choosing one of these flavors.
Tips for giving these cookies as a gift
If you’re planning to gift your peanut butter blossoms, consider packaging them in a decorative cookie tin or box lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. You can also wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap for added protection.
Don’t forget to include a recipe card or note with the gift, so the recipient can enjoy making these cookies themselves! Finally, keep in mind that peanut butter blossoms freeze well, so you can make a large batch and store the extras for future occasions … or gift them to yourself when you crave a midnight snack.
Ingredients needed to make these peanut butter blossom cookies
Here are all the items to round up to make this recipe for these chocolatey, peanut butter cookies. They are so easy with just 11 ingredients, most of which are kitchen staples.
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives the cookies their structure.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Help the cookies rise and give them a soft, tender texture.
- Salt: A little bit of salt balances out the sweetness of the cookies.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Brings the essential, classic peanut butter flavor.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps to create a smooth, creamy dough.
- Brown Sugar & White Sugar: Sweeten the cookies and add a caramel-like flavor.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together and helps to create a moist, chewy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor and aroma of the cookies.
- Hershey’s Kisses: The classic chocolate topping essential to their look and taste.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Parchment paper
- Sheet pan
- Wire rack for cooling
Frequently asked questions about peanut butter blossom cookies
Besides “Can I have this recipe?” (yes!), here are a few other questions people ask when I share these cookies. If you have a question I haven’t covered, ask in the comments, and I will reply as soon as I can.
Why did my peanut butter blossoms come out flat?
Over-greasing the baking sheet, over-mixing the dough, or not chilling the dough before baking can cause flat cookies for any recipe. To prevent this, I use parchment paper for this recipe. Some people swear by simply using ungreased cookie sheets. As for the dough, mix it gently and chill it for at least an hour before baking as noted below.
How do I fix cookie dough that is too dry?
You shouldn’t run into this if you follow the measurements below, but if your dough is too dry, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until the dough reaches the desired consistency. Be sure to mix the dough thoroughly after each addition to ensure even distribution.
How do I keep cookies from splitting?
To prevent cookies from splitting, make sure your dough is chilled before baking. Remember, these cookies are supposed to split just a little while baking, which gives them their flower-petal appearance.
How can you make peanut butter blossoms for special diets?
If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, just modify the recipe accordingly. For gluten-free peanut butter blossoms, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
To make the cookies dairy-free, substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative and use plant-based milk in the dough. You can even find vegan chocolate kisses or use a small spoonful of melted vegan chocolate for the centers.
Peanut butter blossoms are a timeless and versatile cookie recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. With their rich peanut butter and chocolate flavors, soft and chewy texture, and charming appearance, it’s easy to see why they’ve remained a beloved treat over the years!
More Grandma-Approved Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this recipe for peanut butter blossoms, here are more grandma-approved cookie recipes that you should try!
- Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
- Chocolate Andes Mint Cookies
- Peppermint Bark Cookies
- Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe
- No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer
- parchment paper
- Sheet pan
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup butter softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar plus ½ cup for rolling dough
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 24 Hershey Kisses
Instructions
- Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
- Beat butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer (hand or stand) at medium speed until smooth.
- Add both sugars and beat until fluffy.
- Next blend in the egg and vanilla.
- Add in the flour mixture and stir until combined.
- Refrigerator dough for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Form dough into 1-inch balls with a cookie scoop or tablespoon and then roll balls in the 1/2 cup white granulated sugar. Scrape the sides of the bowl well to maximize the amount you can make.
- Place balls on parchment-lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and top each cookie with a Hershey Kiss and press down slightly.
- Let cool for at least 2 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.