Easy Peanut Butter Blossoms – Soft, Chewy & Chocolatey Perfection

Peanut Butter Blossoms are the ultimate crowd-pleasing cookies — a dreamy blend of soft, chewy peanut butter dough crowned with a smooth chocolate kiss. These classic treats strike the perfect balance between sweet and salty, making them a must-have for holidays, bake sales, or any time you crave something cozy and comforting. With minimal prep and everyday pantry ingredients, this peanut butter blossoms recipe guarantees rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture every single time.

Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut Butter Blossoms are a timeless favorite for their simplicity and irresistible taste. Whether you’re a fan of peanut butter cookies, chocolate kiss cookies, or traditional holiday desserts, this recipe delivers on all fronts. They bake up soft and slightly crisp at the edges, with that signature chocolate center adding a beautiful finish. Even better, they require no fancy equipment — just a bowl, a whisk, and a love for peanut butter.

These cookies are:

• Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes.
• Family-friendly: Perfect for baking with kids.
• Make-ahead friendly: The dough freezes beautifully.
• Festive: Ideal for Christmas cookie trays or edible gifts.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Best Peanut Butter Blossoms

• Creamy Peanut Butter: Provides rich flavor and moisture; avoid natural peanut butter that separates.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds a tender, buttery texture to the cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and adds sparkle when rolled on the outside.
• Light Brown Sugar: Deepens the flavor and gives the cookies a chewy center.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the peanut flavor.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and ensures a soft, cohesive dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm undertones that complement peanut butter.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for the cookies without making them dense.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies puff up and form their classic cracked tops.
• Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses: The hallmark of peanut butter blossoms, adding a rich, sweet center.

Ingredient Swaps & Variations

If you’re out of a key ingredient or have dietary needs, here are easy swaps:

• Dairy-Free: Use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
• Sugar Options: Coconut sugar or maple sugar can replace light brown sugar for a natural sweetness.
• Different Chocolates: Try milk, dark, or white chocolate kisses — or mini peanut butter cups for a twist.
• Nut-Free Version: Replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for similar flavor and texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Peanut Butter Blossoms

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream the peanut butter, butter, sugars, and salt together in a mixing bowl until smooth and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
4. Combine flour and baking soda, then gradually add to the wet mixture on low speed. Mix until a soft dough forms.
5. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in granulated sugar for a sparkling finish.
6. Arrange on baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until cookies puff and the edges are lightly golden.
8. Press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie immediately after baking. Allow cookies to cool on the sheet until set.

Pro Tip: For perfect shape, freeze chocolate kisses for 10 minutes before pressing into cookies to prevent melting.

Expert Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Blossoms

• Measure flour accurately: Too much flour can make cookies dry. Use a scale or spoon-and-level method.
• Use no-stir peanut butter: Natural varieties that separate won’t yield the same soft texture.
• Avoid overbaking: Cookies should look slightly underdone; they’ll firm up as they cool.
• Freeze dough or baked cookies: Store dough balls in the freezer up to 2 months; bake directly from frozen with 1–2 extra minutes.
• Teamwork makes baking fun: Have kids unwrap kisses and roll dough balls for a hands-on kitchen activity.

Serving Ideas and Flavor Variations

Peanut Butter Blossoms shine on their own but can also be customized:

• Holiday Twist: Roll dough in red and green sanding sugar for Christmas.
• Double Chocolate: Add cocoa powder to the dough for a deeper chocolate flavor.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle crushed peanuts over the top before baking.
• Mini Blossoms: Use mini kisses or chocolate chips for bite-sized treats.

Pair these cookies with a glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate dessert experience.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for 1–2 weeks in a sealed container.
• Freezer: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.

The Sweet Story Behind Peanut Butter Blossoms

Originally created for the 1957 Pillsbury Bake-Off, Peanut Butter Blossoms have become an American cookie classic. Their irresistible combination of creamy peanut butter and chocolate kiss makes them timeless — simple yet sophisticated. They bring nostalgia, warmth, and joy to every bite, especially during the holidays.

Conclusion

Peanut Butter Blossoms are the perfect fusion of comfort and charm — soft, chewy, and delightfully chocolatey. Whether you bake them for Christmas or as an everyday treat, this easy recipe will always deliver bakery-quality results at home. Once you try them, you’ll understand why these cookies have been beloved for generations.

Bringing It All Together: The Magic of Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut Butter Blossoms are more than just cookies — they’re a symbol of warmth, family, and celebration. Each bite combines the creamy richness of peanut butter with the irresistible charm of a chocolate kiss, creating a cookie that’s both nostalgic and timeless. Whether you bake them for the holidays, gift them to loved ones, or simply enjoy them fresh out of the oven with a glass of milk, these cookies never fail to impress.

From their soft, chewy centers to their sparkling sugar coating, Peanut Butter Blossoms embody comfort and joy. Once you make them from scratch, you’ll understand why this recipe has stood the test of time and remains a beloved favorite in every cookie jar.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make Peanut Butter Blossoms without Hershey’s kisses?
Yes! While the chocolate kiss is the traditional choice, you can substitute it with mini peanut butter cups, chocolate chunks, or even caramel-filled chocolates for a fun twist. Each variation adds a unique flavor while keeping that classic cookie appeal.

2. Why did my Peanut Butter Blossoms turn out dry?
Dry cookies often come from using too much flour or overbaking. To avoid this, measure flour carefully using the spoon-and-level method, and remove cookies from the oven as soon as they start to crack and puff — they’ll continue to set as they cool.

3. Can I freeze the dough or baked cookies?
Absolutely. The dough can be rolled into balls and frozen on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. When baking from frozen, add 1–2 minutes to the bake time. Baked cookies also freeze well for up to two months when stored in an airtight container.

4. What’s the best peanut butter to use for this recipe?
Use a no-stir, creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butters that separate will change the texture and consistency, resulting in crumbly cookies. Stabilized peanut butter ensures a smooth, chewy bite every time.

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• Cheesecake-Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies
•  Easy Homemade Twix Cookies
• Easy White Chocolate Bark Recipe

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