Peanut Butter Blossoms are the sort of cookie that everyone secretly hopes will appear on the dessert table, especially during the holidays. With their beautiful golden-brown, crackled tops and chocolate kisses nestled right in the middle, these cookies are a delightful mix of soft, chewy, peanutty goodness and that iconic chocolate finish. They’re outrageously simple to make, but don’t let that fool you—the flavor is magical, and their charming, classic look never fails to pull a smile from adults and kids alike. If you’ve been craving a nostalgic treat or want to wow a crowd with a recipe that’s both effortless and unforgettable, Peanut Butter Blossoms are pure, sweet joy in a bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best thing about Peanut Butter Blossoms is how pantry-friendly the ingredients are, yet each one plays a crucial role in building the layers of taste, texture, and eye-catching appeal. Every component brings something special—let’s break down exactly what makes this recipe irresistible.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Gives your cookies richness and that melt-in-your-mouth quality—make sure it’s at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup, plus extra for rolling): Sweetens and helps create those lovely crackly, sparkly exteriors when you roll the dough before baking.
- Packed brown sugar (1/2 cup): Adds a hint of molasses flavor and keeps the cookies wonderfully chewy.
- Creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup): The heart of the flavor! Stick with creamy for a truly classic texture, or go crunchy for a twist.
- Large egg (1): Helps bind everything together and gives structure to the cookies.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out all the flavors and adds aromatic warmth to every bite.
- All-purpose flour (1 3/4 cups): The base that holds your dough together—it’s the canvas for all your tasty mix-ins.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Gives the cookies a gentle lift and their soft, puffy centers.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Essential to balance the sweetness and amplify the peanut butter’s nuttiness.
- Milk chocolate kisses (36, unwrapped): The star on top—press one into each warm cookie for that classic Peanut Butter Blossoms finishing touch.
How to Make Peanut Butter Blossoms
Step 1: Cream the Butter, Sugars, and Peanut Butter
Start by combining the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and creamy peanut butter in a large mixing bowl. Beat them together until the mixture is light, smooth, and fluffy—this not only helps dissolve the sugars but also makes your cookies tender and tall. If you’ve got a stand mixer or a hand mixer, now’s the time to use it!
Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Crack in your large egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Blend again until everything is fully incorporated. This step is where that signature cookie dough aroma really starts to develop, and you’ll notice the texture becoming even silkier.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing them before adding to the wet ingredients ensures you won’t have any clumps of baking soda hiding in your finished cookies.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix—stop when there are no more streaks of flour! The dough should be thick and scoopable, perfect for shaping.
Step 5: Shape and Sugar-Coat
Scoop out dough and roll it into 1-inch balls. Toss each ball gently in a bowl of extra granulated sugar so they’re completely coated. This step gives your Peanut Butter Blossoms their sparkling crackle and that satisfying exterior crunch.
Step 6: Bake
Place the dough balls on an ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 8–10 minutes, until the edges look set and just barely golden. The centers should remain slightly soft—they’ll finish setting as they cool.
Step 7: Add the Chocolate Kiss
The magic moment! As soon as you pull your cookies out of the oven, gently press a milk chocolate kiss into the center of each one. The warm cookie will crackle at the edges and cradle the chocolate perfectly. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Blossoms
Garnishes
A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the warm chocolate is a total game-changer—just a pinch brings out both the peanut butter and chocolate flavors without overpowering that classic taste. You could also drizzle the cooled cookies with some melted chocolate or add festive sprinkles before the chocolate sets for holiday flair.
Side Dishes
Peanut Butter Blossoms pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk, but they also shine alongside hot cocoa, coffee, or even sandwiched among other cookies on a holiday platter. For something a bit special, serve them with a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream—trust me, that warm chocolate center and the cool ice cream are a match made in dessert heaven!
Creative Ways to Present
Pile your Peanut Butter Blossoms high on a bright cake stand, or arrange them in a vintage cookie tin lined with parchment for a charming gift. For parties, tuck each cookie into cupcake liners and set them out in neat rows. If you’re feeling extra festive, try using flavored chocolate kisses or even swapping in dark or white chocolate for a new twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Peanut Butter Blossoms are completely cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 5 days—though in my kitchen, they practically disappear overnight! To keep them ultra-fresh, layer them between sheets of wax or parchment paper.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies two ways: freeze the baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer them to a zip-top bag (thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy), or freeze the rolled dough balls before baking. Just toss the cold dough balls straight from the freezer to the oven (no need to thaw) and add a minute or two to the bake time—you’ll have freshly made Peanut Butter Blossoms in a flash!
Reheating
If you want to revive that fresh-from-the-oven magic, pop a Peanut Butter Blossom in the microwave for 5–10 seconds. The chocolate will soften just slightly, and the cookie itself will be warm and extra enticing.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter gives your Peanut Butter Blossoms a wonderful added texture with little peanut pieces scattered throughout. Just know the cookies may be a tad crumblier, but some folks love that rustic, nutty bite!
Why do my cookies crack when I press in the chocolate kiss?
That beautiful cracked edge is actually the sign of a perfect Peanut Butter Blossom. The slight cracking happens because the warm cookie expands as the chocolate is pressed in—giving them that signature blossom look!
Can I substitute almond butter or sunflower butter?
Yes, you can use other nut or seed butters if peanut butter isn’t your thing. Just keep in mind that taste and texture may change a bit, but you’ll still get delicious, blossom-style cookies.
How do I keep my cookies from drying out?
Store your Peanut Butter Blossoms in an airtight container at room temperature, and don’t overbake them! Slightly underbaking ensures the centers stay soft and chewy. If you want to go the extra mile, tuck a piece of sliced bread in the container—it helps maintain moisture.
Can I make these gluten-free?
You can swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour for the all-purpose flour. Just check that your baking soda and other ingredients are gluten-free too, and you’re good to go!
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the hunt for a treat that inspires pure joy and a little bit of nostalgia, you have to try Peanut Butter Blossoms. Their cozy peanut butter flavor and that melty chocolate center are genuinely irresistible. Whether you’re baking for holiday cookie swaps or just for fun, you’ll love sharing (and sneaking) a few of these classic cookies with the people you care about.
Print
Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Peanut Butter Blossoms are classic cookies featuring a soft, peanut butter dough rolled in sugar and topped with a milk chocolate kiss. Perfect for holiday baking or anytime you crave a delicious treat!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Extra granulated sugar for rolling
- 36 milk chocolate kisses (unwrapped)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cream Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Form Dough: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and coat each in granulated sugar.
- Bake: Place on a baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes until golden.
- Add Chocolate: Press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie immediately after baking.
- Cool and Enjoy: Cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra peanut flavor, use crunchy peanut butter or add chopped peanuts.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze dough balls for easy baking anytime.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
