Peanut Butter Blossoms: Easy & Perfect Recipe to Make

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Introduction

In my years spent in kitchens from Paris to Tokyo, I have learned that the most profound culinary experiences often stem from the simplest combinations. The smell of baking, for instance, is a universal language of comfort. Few aromas are as evocative as the rich, nutty scent of peanut butter mingling with the sweet promise of chocolate. This is the magic captured in every bite of a classic holiday treat: the Peanut Butter Blossoms. These delightful cookies are more than just a dessert; they are a nostalgic journey, a perfect balance of a soft, chewy cookie and a firm, melting chocolate center. This recipe is my definitive guide to creating them flawlessly, elevating a beloved classic to a new level of perfection. Let me show you exactly why this recipe will become a treasured part of your baking repertoire.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The deep, savory notes of the peanut butter cookie provide the ideal counterpoint to the sweet, iconic Hershey’s Kiss.
• Incredibly Soft and Chewy Texture: We use a precise combination of butter and sugars to ensure a cookie that stays soft for days, never dry or crumbly.
• Simple and Foolproof: With clear instructions and common pantry ingredients, this recipe is accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
• A Festive Favorite: These cookies are a stunning addition to any holiday platter, cookie exchange, or family gathering, guaranteed to disappear quickly.

Preparation Time and Servings

⏱️ Preparation Time: 15 minutes
🔥 Cooking Time: 10 minutes
⏰ Total Time: 25 minutes
💡 Difficulty: Easy
👥 Servings: 36 cookies

This is a wonderfully quick recipe, perfect for when you need a delicious treat without spending hours in the kitchen. In under 30 minutes, you can have fresh, warm Peanut Butter Blossoms ready to enjoy.

Ingredients List

• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
• 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (128g) creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups (210g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 36 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Cream the Fats and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step incorporates air, which is crucial for a soft cookie.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Beat on medium speed until everything is well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary to ensure a homogenous mixture.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour.
6. Shape the Cookies: Pour some extra granulated sugar into a small, shallow bowl. Scoop the cookie dough and roll it into 1-inch (2.5 cm) balls. Roll each ball in the granulated sugar to coat it completely. Place the sugar-coated balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
7. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers look slightly soft. The cookies will puff up and crack slightly on top. Achieving this perfect texture is key to great Peanut Butter Blossoms.
8. Add the “Blossom”: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press one unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. The heat will soften the chocolate just enough to adhere. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Expert Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Blossoms

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smooth, emulsified dough, ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This is a non-negotiable rule in professional pastry kitchens.
• Do Not Overbake: The biggest mistake is leaving these cookies in the oven for too long. Pull them out when the centers still look a little underdone. They will continue to bake from the residual heat of the pan, resulting in a perfectly soft and chewy texture.
• Chill the Chocolate: For perfectly shaped Kisses that don’t melt into a puddle, place your unwrapped Hershey’s Kisses in the freezer for about 15 minutes before you press them into the hot cookies. This helps them retain their iconic shape.
• Peanut Butter Choice Matters: For the best results, use a standard commercial creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butters that separate can alter the cookie’s texture and cause them to spread too much.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Prevent common issues with these simple tips:

• Overmixing the batter: This develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, dense cookie instead of a tender one. Mix only until the flour is incorporated.
• Incorrect oven temperature: An oven that’s too hot will burn the bottoms, while one that’s too cool will cause the cookies to spread too much. An oven thermometer is a chef’s best friend for accuracy.
• Skipping the resting time: Allowing the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them is crucial. They are very delicate when hot and this step helps them set up properly.
• Using the wrong pan size: Overcrowding the baking sheet can prevent even air circulation, resulting in unevenly baked cookies. Always leave about 2 inches between dough balls.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

To keep your Peanut Butter Blossoms tasting fresh:

• Short-term storage: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Placing a slice of bread in the container can help maintain their softness.
• Refrigeration: While not recommended as it can dry them out, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to a week. Let them come to room temperature before enjoying.
• Freezing: These cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
• Make-ahead option: The cookie dough can be made ahead, rolled into balls (without the sugar coating), and frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, let them thaw slightly, roll in sugar, and bake as directed, adding a minute or two to the baking time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use a different kind of chocolate?

Absolutely. While Hershey’s Kisses are traditional, you can experiment with other chocolates. Mini peanut butter cups, chocolate stars, or even a dollop of Nutella right after baking are all delicious variations that will work well with this recipe.

Why did my cookies come out dry and crumbly?

This is typically caused by one of two things: over-measuring the flour or overbaking. To measure flour accurately, use the “spoon and level” method: spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge. Avoid scooping directly from the bag. Secondly, remember to pull the cookies from the oven when they still look slightly soft in the center.

Conclusion

This recipe is more than just a set of instructions; it is a guarantee of success. By following these steps, you will create consistently soft, chewy, and deeply flavorful Peanut Butter Blossoms every single time. They are the perfect embodiment of comfort baking and a true crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Don’t forget to share this The best classic peanut butter blossoms recipe with Hershey kisses with your friends, and please, let me know how yours turn out in the comments below!

Contact Us

Contact us at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?