Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Soft peanut butter cookies rolled in sugar and topped with a chocolate kiss, pressed in while the cookies are still warm. A holiday classic that is easy for kids to help with.

Ingredients

• 48 milk chocolate kisses, unwrapped
• ½ cup vegetable shortening
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (a regular creamy brand, not natural-style)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour (spoon into the cup and level it off)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar, for rolling

Allergy note: Contains peanuts, milk, egg, and wheat. Please check with your guests about allergies before baking and serving.

Instructions

1. Heat your oven to 375°F. Unwrap all the chocolate kisses before you start, so they are ready the moment the cookies come out.
2. In a large bowl, beat the shortening and peanut butter until blended.
3. Add the granulated sugar and the brown sugar, and beat until fluffy.
4. Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla until well combined.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually beat it into the peanut butter mixture.
6. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the rolling sugar and place it on an ungreased baking sheet.
7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned.
8. Right when the cookies come out of the oven, gently press one chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. The edges will crack, which is normal.
9. Move the cookies to a wire rack and cool completely, until the chocolate sets.

Baking Tips

⭐ Press the kisses in right away while the cookies are hot, and press gently so the cookie doesn't break apart.

⭐ Cracked edges are normal.

⭐ Use a regular creamy peanut butter. Natural peanut butter that separates can make the dough too oily.

⭐ To help the chocolate set faster, put the cooled cookies in the fridge for 10 minutes.

⭐ Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

⭐ Don't taste the raw dough. It contains a raw egg and raw flour, so bake it first.

Ways Kids Can Help

• Unwrap the chocolate kisses.
• Roll the dough into balls and coat them in sugar.
• Press a kiss into each cookie as it comes out of the oven. An adult should bring the hot pan to the counter first.

Equipment Used

• Large mixing bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer
• Medium mixing bowl
• Small shallow bowl for the rolling sugar
• Baking sheets
• Wire cooling rack
• Measuring cups and spoons

Contest Notes

Prep time: 20 min | Bake time: 8–10 min | Original recipe yield: About 48 cookies | Level: Easy

Hosting a cookie contest? Grab the free Cookie Judge Scorecards and Contest Invitation Cards to score your bakes.

Based on the classic peanut butter blossom recipe, a holiday favorite since the 1950s.