A delightful and timeless holiday classic are peanut butter blossoms.
A popular delicacy that has become a mainstay in many homes’ holiday baking customs are peanut butter blossoms. Unquestionably enticing, these cookies have the ideal ratio of chewy texture, salty peanut butter, and a delectable Hershey’s Kiss in the middle. Peanut Butter Blossoms are a fantastic option whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, a holiday get-together, or just to enjoy some homemade sweets. We’ll look at the recipe, the history, and some tricks for enhancing the flavor of these traditional cookies in this blog.
Peanut Butter Blossoms’ History
Although their exact beginnings are unknown, peanut butter blossoms are frequently believed to have originated in the 1950s or 1960s. Some people think that the Hershey Company, which started making their well-known Hershey’s Kisses in the 1930s, was the one who initially popularized the recipe. Peanut butter cookies and chocolate kisses were a marriage made in heaven very soon.
A Hershey’s advertisement from 1957 included a recipe for a cookie that was similar and combined peanut butter with a Hershey’s Kiss. But the famous Peanut Butter Blossom cookie as we know it now didn’t gain widespread recognition until a few years later. The combination of the rich, milk chocolate Hershey’s Kiss, which proudly rests above like a tiny crown, and the sweet, salty peanut butter biscuit base has made the name “Peanut Butter Blossom” ubiquitous.
These cookies are popular all year round, even though they are frequently connected to the holidays. Because of this cookie’s adaptability, you can quickly change the tastes and toppings to suit any situation.
Here’s the Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe in a table format for easy reference:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Peanut butter (smooth or chunky) | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1 cup |
| Egg | 1 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp |
| Milk | 2 tbsp |
| Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped) | 36 |
| Sugar (for rolling) | 1/4 cup |
Instructions
| Step | Directions |
|---|---|
| 1. Preheat the oven | Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. |
| 2. Prepare the dough | Mix together peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk baking soda and milk, then combine with the peanut butter mixture. |
| 3. Shape the dough | Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in 1/4 cup sugar to coat. |
| 4. Bake | Place dough balls on baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden around the edges. |
| 5. Add the Kisses | Immediately press one unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie after baking. |
| 6. Cool | Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. |
Storage
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Optional Variations:
- Use dark chocolate or white chocolate Kisses.
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a salty-sweet twist.
- For mini blossoms, use a small scoop of dough and mini Kisses.
Enjoy your Peanut Butter Blossoms!
Recipe for Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Only a few ingredients are needed to make these surprisingly simple peanut butter blossoms. This dish is ideal for busy bakers because it can be prepared in less than an hour. Here is a traditional recipe to adhere to:
Classic Sugar Cookies recipe
Nothing compares to the aroma of freshly made sugar cookies filling the house during the holidays. A timeless treat, classic sugar cookies are enjoyed by people of all ages. They are ideal for any occasion—especially holiday cookie exchanges—because they are soft, buttery, and sweet with just the right amount of sweetness!
Components:
One cup of chunky or smooth peanut butter
One cup of sugar, granulated
- One egg
One teaspoon of vanilla extract
One teaspoon of baking soda
Two teaspoons of milk
- 36 unwrapped Hershey’s Kisses
1/4 cup of sugar (to roll with)
Directions:
- Get the oven ready: Set the oven temperature to 175°C (350°F). To keep two baking sheets from sticking, line them with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
- Prepare the cookie dough by mixing: Combine the egg, granulated sugar, and peanut butter in a big bowl and beat until smooth. Mix thoroughly after adding the vanilla extract. Whisk the milk and baking soda together in a another basin. Stir until mixed after adding this mixture gradually to the peanut butter mixture.
Third, form the dough:
Using your hands, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. After shaping, evenly coat the dough ball with the 1/4 cup of sugar by rolling it in it.
Fourth, prepare the cookies:
On the baking sheets that have been prepared, arrange the dough balls about 2 inches apart. The cookies should be somewhat golden around the edges after 8 to 10 minutes of baking in a preheated oven.
- Include a Hershey’s Kiss: Gently place a Hershey’s Kiss into the middle of each cookie as soon as they are taken out of the oven. The ideal “blossom” shape will be formed when the cookie cracks slightly along the edges. After five minutes of cooling on the baking sheet, move the cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- Have fun: The cookies are ready to eat once they have cooled! To keep them fresh, store them in an airtight container.
How to Make the Best Peanut Butter Blossoms with Some Variations
Although this recipe is excellent on its own, you can attempt a few adjustments and suggestions to personalize your Peanut Butter Blossoms or make them even more unique.
1. Make Use of Various Nut Butters:
Although peanut butter is the traditional option for these cookies, you can try using cashew or almond butter instead. Remember, the final product will still be delicious even though the flavor profile will alter!
2. Sample Various Chocolate Kisses:
Although milk chocolate kisses are a classic, you can try a lot of different kinds. You can add a unique twist to the cookies by using dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even caramel-filled kisses. You can use holiday-colored Kisses, such red and green foil-wrapped Kisses, for a more festive look.
3. Sprinkle some sea salt on top:
Once the chocolate Kiss has been pressed into the cookie, try adding a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top for a delicious contrast to the sweet peanut butter biscuit. It’s a fantastic combination of sweet and salty.
4. Let the dough cool:
Try refrigerating your dough for half an hour before forming it into balls to ensure that it doesn’t spread too much when baked. If you’re working with really soft peanut butter or in a more humid setting, this step can be quite beneficial.
- Construct Mini Blossoms: Using a smaller scoop of dough and miniature Hershey’s Kisses, you may create mini Peanut Butter Blossoms for a playful variation. These little cookies are ideal for a fast snack, holiday gatherings, or gift-giving.
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies: The Ideal Present
The fact that peanut butter blossoms make a wonderful gift is one of the factors contributing to their popularity. They are a great treat to share with friends and family during the holidays or any special occasion because of their beauty and simplicity. Present them in a charming tin or colorful cookie box, and you’ll have a handcrafted, considerate gift that will make someone happy.
Why Peanut Butter Blossoms Are So Adorable
More than just a cookie, peanut butter blossoms stand for the coziness and coziness of homemade baking. For many people, especially around the holidays, its rich, buttery texture combined with the sweet, creamy chocolate Kiss evokes fond memories. For years, people have prepared and shared these cookies, so they hold a particular place in their hearts.
Peanut Butter Blossoms are a classic treat that can add sweetness, saltiness, and chocolatey delight to any occasion. You can’t go wrong with these timeless cookies, regardless of whether you stick with the conventional recipe or try out other variations.
Your family and friends will appreciate it if you take out your mixing bowl and bake some today!
Do you have any experience creating peanut butter blossoms? In the comments section below, share your advice, modifications, and experiences!
1. Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
2. Can I make these cookies without eggs?
3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
4. Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking.
Ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature.
You may also want to check that you’re not using a warm baking sheet when placing the dough on it.
