Indulge in the timeless charm of these incredibly soft and wonderfully chewy peanut butter blossom cookies! This classic recipe yields approximately 5 dozen bite-sized treats, making them absolutely perfect for generous holiday cookie platters, festive gatherings, or simply sharing with loved ones. While traditionally adorned with Hershey’s Kisses, feel free to get creative by topping them with heart candies for a special Valentine’s Day touch, mini peanut butter cups, or even chocolate chunks for a delightful twist. Get ready to bake a batch of these irresistible Hershey Kiss Cookies that are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Why These Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Are Simply the Best

There are countless reasons why these peanut butter kiss cookies have become a beloved staple in my home, especially during the festive season. They consistently disappear first from any cookie platter, and for good reason! Here’s what makes this recipe stand out:

1. Perfectly Bite-Sized: Say goodbye to oversized, crumbly cookies! These peanut butter blossom cookies are designed to be perfectly pop-in-your-mouth bite-sized. This makes them incredibly convenient for guests to grab from a cookie tray, ideal for portion control, and simply delightful for little hands. Their small stature also means they bake quickly and evenly every time.
2. Unbeatably Soft & Chewy Texture: No one enjoys a dry, crumbly cookie. This recipe is specifically crafted to deliver an exceptionally soft and wonderfully chewy texture that melts in your mouth. The secret lies in a carefully balanced ratio of ingredients and the addition of light corn syrup, which locks in moisture, ensuring these Hershey Kiss cookies are always tender and never dry.
3. Generous Big Batch Yield: Planning for a holiday party, a school bake sale, or just want to stock up on delicious treats? This recipe is your answer! It consistently yields a generous 5 dozen (60) peanut butter blossom cookies. This makes it incredibly efficient for creating impressive holiday cookie trays, gifting to friends and family, or ensuring you have plenty to go around at any gathering.
4. Excellent for Freezing: Prepare for stress-free baking! These peanut butter blossom cookies freeze beautifully, both as baked cookies and as raw dough. This means you can bake ahead of time for holidays, or simply freeze portions of dough for fresh-baked cookies whenever a craving strikes. It’s the ultimate convenience for any busy baker.

Essential Ingredient Notes & Smart Substitutions for Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Creating the perfect soft and chewy peanut butter blossom cookie starts with understanding your ingredients. Here are some key notes and substitution tips to ensure your Hershey Kiss cookies turn out flawlessly every time:

• Creamy Peanut Butter: For these particular cookies, I strongly recommend using a classic, creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy), not a natural, oil-separated variety. Natural peanut butters tend to make the dough drier and can result in cookies that spread too much or have a less consistent texture due to their varying oil content. The consistent emulsification of creamy peanut butter is crucial for the perfect dough consistency.
• Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter gives you precise control over the salt content in your recipe. If you only have salted butter on hand, it’s perfectly fine to use, but be sure to omit the additional teaspoon of kosher salt called for in the recipe to prevent your cookies from becoming too salty.
• Light Corn Syrup: This ingredient is a game-changer for moisture and chewiness in peanut butter blossom cookies. Peanut butter can be a naturally dry ingredient in baked goods, and the light corn syrup acts as a humectant, helping to keep the cookies incredibly moist and delightfully chewy.
  • Substitution: You can substitute light corn syrup with an equal amount of honey for a similar effect, though honey will impart a slightly different flavor profile to the cookies.
  • Omitting: While you can leave it out entirely if you prefer, I personally find that the texture of the cookies is noticeably better – softer and chewier – when the corn syrup is included. Without it, the cookies might be a bit more crumbly.
• All-Purpose Flour: Standard all-purpose flour works perfectly here. When measuring, remember to spoon and level the flour to avoid packing too much into your measuring cup, which can lead to dense, dry cookies.
• Hershey’s Kisses: While classic chocolate Hershey’s Kisses are traditional, feel free to experiment! Peanut butter Kisses, white chocolate Kisses, or even other small, bite-sized chocolate candies can be used for different flavor combinations.

Make it Gluten-Free! Achieving gluten-free peanut butter blossom cookies is simple. Just substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. My personal favorite and highly recommended brand is Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, which consistently yields excellent results in this recipe.

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature for even baking. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the unsalted butter (½ cup, which is 1 stick) for about 20-30 seconds, or until it’s completely liquid. Melted butter creates a wonderfully tender cookie.
2. Next, add the light brown sugar (1¼ cup) and granulated sugar (¼ cup) to the melted butter. Use an electric mixer to mix these ingredients on medium speed for 1 full minute. This step ensures the sugars are well incorporated and helps create that signature chewy texture.
3. Mix in the creamy peanut butter (1 cup) and light corn syrup (2 tablespoons) until smooth. Then, add the two large eggs and vanilla extract (2 teaspoons), continuing to mix until all the wet ingredients are thoroughly combined and creamy. Finally, incorporate the baking soda (1 teaspoon) and kosher salt (1 teaspoon), mixing until just blended.
4. Gradually add the all-purpose flour (2¼ cups) to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until the flour is just incorporated into the dough. Be careful not to overmix the flour, as this can lead to tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain.

Step 2: Roll & Flatten the Dough Balls

Once your dough is ready, it’s time to shape your cookies. Scoop 1-tablespoon-sized portions of the dough. A small cookie scoop works wonders for ensuring uniform cookies that bake evenly. Roll each portion of dough into a smooth, tight ball between your palms. This helps create that classic round shape.

Next, coat each rolled ball generously in the remaining granulated sugar (2 tablespoons). This sugar coating adds a lovely sparkle and a slight crunch to the outside of the finished peanut butter blossom cookies. After coating, gently flatten the tops of each dough ball just slightly with your thumb or the back of a spoon. This small indentation will be the perfect spot for your Hershey’s Kiss later. Place the prepared dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie for spreading.

Step 3: Bake & Add Hershey’s Kisses

Bake the cookies in your preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-9 minutes. The key here is to avoid overbaking! The edges should be very lightly golden brown, and the centers will still appear slightly soft and underbaked when you remove them from the oven. This is exactly what you want for a super soft and chewy cookie. Remember, the cookies will continue to cook and set as they cool on the hot baking sheet.

Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently but firmly press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each warm cookie. The warmth of the cookie will slightly melt the chocolate, allowing it to adhere perfectly. Avoid twisting the Kisses, just a gentle press. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack or storing them. This allows the chocolate to set and prevents the cookies from breaking.

Expert Tips & Creative Variations for Your Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Elevate your peanut butter blossom cookies with these simple tips and exciting variations that cater to every taste and occasion!

• Achieve Evenly Sized Cookies: For perfectly uniform cookies that bake consistently, invest in a small 1-tablespoon-sized cookie scoop. This ensures each dough ball is the same size, leading to a beautiful and professional-looking batch.
• Add Festive Sprinkles: For holidays or special occasions, add a touch of sparkle! While the chocolate is still slightly melted from the warm cookie, gently press colorful sprinkles onto the top of the Hershey’s Kiss. Nonpareils work wonderfully for a classic festive look. Choose red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or red and pink for Valentine’s Day!
• Explore Different Toppings: Don’t limit yourself to just Hershey’s Kisses! These versatile peanut butter blossom cookies can be topped with a variety of sweet treats:
  • Mini Peanut Butter Cups: For an extra boost of peanut butter flavor and a delightful texture contrast.
  • Chocolate Chunks or Chips: Press a few chocolate chunks or a spoonful of mini chocolate chips into the warm cookies for a more rustic look.
  • Heart-Shaped Candies: Perfect for Valentine’s Day, these add a lovely themed touch.
  • Caramel Candies: A Rolo or similar caramel candy would melt into a gooey center.
  • Chocolate Drizzle: For a sophisticated touch, once the cookies are completely cool, melt some additional chocolate and drizzle it decoratively over the tops.
• Prevent Kisses from Cracking: To ensure your Hershey’s Kisses remain perfectly smooth and don’t crack, make sure to add them immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, while they are still very warm and pliable. Press gently and do not twist. If your kitchen is very cold, you might even consider letting the Kisses sit at room temperature for a while before unwrapping.

Storage & Freezing Instructions for Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Proper storage is key to keeping your peanut butter blossom cookies fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Whether you’re planning to enjoy them now or save them for later, here’s how to do it:

• Room Temperature Storage: Once your peanut butter blossom cookies have completely cooled and the chocolate kisses have set, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay wonderfully fresh and soft for up to 5 days. For an extra boost of freshness and to help them retain their delightful chewiness, you can add a slice of plain white bread to the container – the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, keeping them soft!
• Freezing Unbaked Dough: For the ultimate make-ahead convenience, you can freeze the unbaked dough. Simply scoop the dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls as directed in the recipe, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until they are firm (this prevents them from sticking together). Once solid, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw! Bake the frozen dough balls straight from the freezer, adding just a few extra minutes (typically 2-4 minutes) to the regular bake time until the edges are lightly golden.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: You can also freeze fully baked peanut butter blossom cookies. Ensure the cookies, including the chocolate kisses, are completely cooled and hardened. Arrange them in a single layer in an airtight freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and protect the chocolate. Alternatively, place them in a freezer bag. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. To serve, simply thaw them at room temperature for an hour or two until soft.

Frequently Asked Questions About Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies: