Peanut Butter Blossoms

Let's face it: Peanut butter blossoms are as welcome on a Christmas cookie plate as they are at a kid's birthday party. How can anyone resist the classic combination of a chewy, homemade peanut butter cookie topped with a rich chocolate kiss? While the standard version says to roll the peanut butter cookie dough in granulated sugar before baking, try this fun twist for the holidays: roll the cookies in colored sanding sugar, like red, green or even gold! These classic Christmas cookies are guaranteed to be hit at this year's cookie swap, or at gatherings all year long!

What kind of peanut butter do you use for peanut butter blossoms?

Stick with classic creamy peanut butter. Avoid natural varieties that require stirring as they won't work for these cookies.

What do you top peanut butter blossoms with?

A simple Hershey's Kiss is standard, but you can switch it up with white, dark chocolate, or Candy Cane Hershey's Kisses. Milk or dark chocolate peanut butter cups also work well here. Want to make this cookie even more festive for the holidays? Top a regular Hershey's Kiss candy with colorful Christmas sprinkles.

Why are my peanut butter blossoms flat?

Cookies tend to flatten or spread when a few of the ingredients are out of balance or the temperature they're baked at is not quite right. A foolproof cookie recipe should have the correct amount of sugar (which turns into liquid while baking) and flour (which helps the cookie hold its shape when heated). Also, if a recipe calls for softened butter, it's best to use it when it's soft, but still cool. If butter has been at room temperature for too long, it may be too warm when you mix the cookies, thus it will melt too quickly and cause the cookies to flatten in the oven.

Do Hershey's Kisses melt in the oven?

Yes, Hershey's Kiss candies can melt in the oven if left for too long or baked at too high of a temperature. For this recipe, we press the Hershey's Kisses into the just-out-of-the-oven cookies, so that the residual heat will soften the Hershey's Kiss (and help it bond to the cookie) while keeping its pretty shape.

What's the best way to store peanut butter blossoms?

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll stay fresh for about four days... if they last that long without being eaten!

Can you freeze peanut butter blossoms?

Yes! The fully-baked cookies can be placed in an airtight container and frozen for up to three months. Let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.