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Easy Homemade Peanut Butter Blossoms
Let me share these simple homemade cookies that have become a holiday tradition in my kitchen. These easy peanut butter blossoms combine soft peanut buttery cookies with a perfect chocolate kiss on top. Every time I make them, they disappear from the cookie plate first. The best part? They're so simple to make but look like you spent hours in the kitchen. Whether it's for Christmas cookie exchanges or just because you're craving something sweet, these never disappoint.
Why You'll Love This Easy Recipe
- The cookies stay soft and chewy with that perfect chocolate center
- Uses basic ingredients you probably have in your pantry right now
- Makes enough to share (if you can resist eating them all)
- Easy to customize with different kisses or colored sugar for any occasion
- Perfect for making with kids - they love rolling the dough balls in sugar
Easy Ingredients for Perfect Blossoms
- Peanut Butter: Use the creamy kind that doesn't need stirring, it makes the best cookie texture.
- Butter: Make sure it's nice and soft, leave it out for a couple hours before baking.
- Two Kinds of Sugar: Regular and brown sugar work together for the perfect sweetness.
- Egg: Let it come to room temperature for the smoothest dough.
- All-Purpose Flour: Measure it carefully, too much makes dry cookies.
- Hershey's Kisses: The classic milk chocolate ones are perfect but feel free to mix it up.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a splash makes everything taste better.
- Baking Basics: Don't forget the baking soda and salt they're super important.
Easy Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start with Your Perfect Cookie Base
- In your mixing bowl, cream together your soft butter and peanut butter until they're perfectly smooth - about 2 minutes. Add both sugars and beat until the mixture gets light and fluffy, another 3 minutes. Drop in your egg and vanilla, giving everything another good mix until it's smooth as silk.
- Mix the Dough Just Right
- Now comes the gentle part - add your flour, baking soda, and salt gradually, mixing on low speed. You want to mix just until everything comes together into a soft, peanutty dough. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything's well combined.
- Shape Those Perfect Cookies
- Roll your dough into little 1-inch balls - a cookie scoop makes this super easy. Give them a roll in granulated sugar until they sparkle. Place them on your lined baking sheets, leaving some room for spreading. If your kitchen's warm, pop the shaped cookies in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm up.
- Baking to Perfection
- Slide those cookie sheets into your preheated 375°F oven. They'll need about 8-10 minutes - look for slightly puffed centers and edges that are just starting to set. While they're baking, unwrap all your kisses and have them ready to go.
- The Magic Chocolate Moment
- Here's where timing is everything - as soon as those cookies come out, press a chocolate kiss right into the center of each one. The warm cookie will hug that chocolate kiss perfectly. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Tips for Easy Success
- Temperature Matters: Room temperature ingredients mix up into the smoothest dough.
- Measuring Magic: Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and level it off for perfect cookies.
- Chill for Success: If your cookies spread too much, a quick chill firms them right up.
- Kiss Trick: Pop those chocolate kisses in the freezer while your cookies bake - they'll hold their shape better.
- Mix It Up: Try different Hershey's kisses flavors to make the recipe your own.
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Simple Serving Ideas
- Serving them with cold milk or hot chocolate
- Adding them to holiday cookie platters
- Packaging them up as sweet gifts
- Making ice cream sandwiches with them in summer
- Setting up a cookie decorating station with different colored sugars
Easy Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Keep your cookies fresh in an airtight container for up to 5 days
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months in a freezer bag
- Make the dough ahead and keep it in the fridge for 2 days
- Shape the cookies and freeze them unbaked for easy baking later
- Let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature before serving
- For gifting, layer between wax paper to keep them perfect
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why room temp egg?
Blends more smoothly into dough.
- → What peanut butter works best?
No-stir creamy variety with stabilizers.
- → Should I freeze kisses?
Optional, helps maintain shape.
- → Why measure flour carefully?
Prevents dry cookies, use scale if possible.
- → How long do they keep?
Up to 1 week in airtight container.
- → Can I freeze them?
Yes, up to 3 months without kisses.