If you’re on the lookout for a timeless cookie that brings the perfect harmony of peanut butter richness and chocolaty bliss, the Hershey’s Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe is exactly what you want to bake next. These delightfully soft cookies, crowned with a classic Hershey’s Kiss, are as charming to look at as they are irresistible to eat. From the moment you bite into the tender peanut butter base to the smooth chocolate center, this recipe promises smiles, nostalgia, and a delicious indulgence that’s ideal for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or just a sweet everyday treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, essential ingredients that each play a starring role in crafting the perfect Hershey’s Peanut Butter Blossoms. Each component contributes to the cookie’s tender texture, rich flavor, or that signature pop of color from the iconic Kiss on top.
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that gives your cookies structure without being too dense.
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to stay soft and chewy.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature): Creates a creamy base for that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter: The star flavor that delivers creamy richness with every bite.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: Adds sparkle and subtle sweetness to the dough and the sugar coating.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Brings warmth and moisture, keeping the cookies soft.
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds a hint of richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Gives a lovely aromatic lift that complements peanut butter.
- 1 tablespoon milk: Lightens the dough just a touch for perfect softness.
- 30 to 36 Hershey’s Kisses: The iconic chocolate center that gives the cookies their enchanting look and taste.
- Sugar coating: 1/2 cup granulated sugar: For rolling the dough balls to add a touch of crunch and sparkle on the outside.
How to Make Hershey’s Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Mixing these dry ingredients well ensures even distribution, giving your cookies a consistent rise and balance of flavors once baked.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Peanut Butter
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the room temperature butter and creamy peanut butter until smooth and creamy. This step is crucial because it creates the luscious base that makes these cookies soft and full of that wonderful peanut flavor.
Step 3: Add Sugars
Mix in the brown sugar and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to the creamy mixture. The brown sugar adds moisture and a rich, caramel undertone, while the granulated sugar provides slight crunch and sweetness.
Step 4: Incorporate Egg and Flavors
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until everything is well combined. This binds all your ingredients and enhances the flavor complexity, making the dough silky and ready for the dry ingredients.
Step 5: Combine With Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Avoid overmixing here to keep the cookies tender and soft, just as they should be.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Scoop tablespoon-size portions of dough onto a baking sheet and chill for 15 to 20 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up, which makes it easier to roll into neat balls and helps maintain that iconic cookie shape.
Step 7: Preheat Oven and Prepare Sheets
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. This prep sets you up for baking success!
Step 8: Shape and Sugar Coat
Roll the chilled dough into balls, then coat each one in the remaining granulated sugar before placing them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. The sugar coating forms a slightly crunchy exterior that contrasts deliciously with the soft cookie inside.
Step 9: Bake Until Perfect
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. You’re looking for the tops to crack and the edges to look set, but avoid any browning — that ensures the cookies stay tender and soft.
Step 10: Add Hershey’s Kisses
Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes out of the oven, then gently press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. The warmth softens the base enough for the Kiss to melt slightly and stick perfectly.
Step 11: Cool Completely
Allow the cookies to sit for another 5 to 10 minutes so the chocolate sets before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is the final step to locking in that perfect peanut butter and chocolate harmony.
How to Serve Hershey’s Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe
Garnishes
You can make your Hershey’s Peanut Butter Blossoms even more special by sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on each Kiss just before serving. The salt enhances the chocolate’s sweetness and the peanut butter’s depth wonderfully, giving each bite a sophisticated twist.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee or tea. Their rich flavor cuts through the drink nicely, making for a comforting snack or dessert that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Present your cookies on a decorative platter lined with parchment paper and accented with mini jars of peanut butter for dipping. Another fun idea is to serve them as part of a cookie bouquet by stacking them on sticks with ribbons, making them not just a treat but a delightful centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Hershey’s Peanut Butter Blossoms in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep their soft, chewy texture for up to 5 days, making it easy to enjoy these treats throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to save them for longer, these cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze initially, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll hold up well for up to 3 months — perfect for future cravings or special occasions.
Reheating
To bring your frozen cookies back to life, simply thaw them at room temperature. For that fresh-baked feel, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes, but be careful not to overheat and melt the Hershey’s Kisses entirely.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
While creamy peanut butter is preferred for its smooth texture, you can use crunchy peanut butter if you love a little extra texture in your cookies. Just expect a nuttier bite and slightly different mouthfeel.
Why do my cookies spread too much?
Cookies spreading too much usually means the dough was too warm or too much butter was used. Chilling the dough before baking and measuring your butter carefully helps keep the cookies nicely shaped.
Can I substitute Hershey’s Kisses with another chocolate?
You absolutely can! Milk chocolate or even dark chocolate mini candies work well, but the classic Hershey’s Kiss shape and flavor is iconic and adds that extra nostalgic touch to the recipe.
How do I make the cookies gluten-free?
Try swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend that suits cookies. Just make sure the blend includes xanthan gum for structure, and watch baking times closely since gluten-free doughs can behave differently.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
To veganize this recipe, swap butter for a vegan butter or coconut oil, use a flax or chia egg in place of the egg, and ensure your peanut butter and chocolate kisses are dairy-free. The flavor might shift slightly, but they’ll still be delicious!
Final Thoughts
Making Hershey’s Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe is pure joy from start to finish. The combination of soft peanut butter cookie and melty chocolate Kiss is one of those comforting classics that never fail to please. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these cookies are a surefire way to bring smiles and satisfy your sweet cravings. Go ahead, bake a batch, and share a little happiness one cookie at a time!
Print
Hershey’s Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 30 servings
Description
Hershey’s Peanut Butter Blossoms are classic, soft peanut butter cookies topped with a signature Hershey’s Kiss in the center. These cookies feature a tender peanut butter dough rolled in sugar, baked until slightly cracked on top, and then crowned with chocolate for a perfect sweet and salty treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
Topping
- 30 to 36 Hershey’s Kisses
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined; set aside.
- Cream Butter and Peanut Butter: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add Sugars: Mix in brown sugar and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Incorporate Egg and Flavors: Beat in the egg thoroughly, followed by the vanilla extract and milk, ensuring the mixture is fully blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix just until a soft dough forms; do not overmix.
- Chill Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto a baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes to firm up.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Roll the chilled dough portions into balls, coat each ball evenly in the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and arrange them 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until the tops have cracked and the edges appear set but without browning.
- Add Hershey’s Kisses: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes. Then gently press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to set for an additional 5 to 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and allows for a thicker cookie texture.
- Be careful not to overbake; the cookies should look set but not browned for the best chewy texture.
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and better texture.
- If Hershey’s Kisses are not available, substitute with any individually wrapped chocolate candies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
