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Peanut Butter Blossoms – sometimes known as Hershey Kiss Cookies or Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies – are the perfect classic holiday cookie to make with kids or bring to a cookie exchange.

Peanut butter blossoms arranged on a piece of parchment paper, with christmas lights twinkling in the background

Long-time readers know that I used to teach school full time – more specifically junior high. 

I found myself with an extra period each Friday and had to figure out something to do with the 50 minutes that would both keep the kids busy and force them to interact with each other in a positive manner.

I remember sitting at the computer when it hit me – I could have them cook and bake together.

I quickly pretty much relinquished all control over what we cooked and baked to my students. I allowed them to choose the recipes, create the shopping lists and make the dish from start to finish (minus any knife work).

Although I was a little bit nervous with the whole process, the students displayed an amazing amount of teamwork and enthusiasm – honestly, I couldn’t have been more proud of them.

During the holidays, we decided to make Peanut Butter Blossom cookies. I thought there was no more perfect time of year to introduce them to this classic chocolate-peanut butter cookie.

Even though I haven’t taught full-time in years, I’m still grateful for the opportunity to allow my students to channel their creativity and curiosity in a positive way. I hope they still remember making Peanut Butter Blossoms together and taking them home to share with their families.

Ingredients for peanut butter blossom cookies arranged on a blue countertop

WHAT ARE PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS?

I think that just about anyone who has ever been to a holiday cookie exchange has at least seen, if not eaten, Peanut Butter Blossoms.

They’re a holiday staple!

The name might change – I have heard them called Hershey Kiss Cookies, Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies, and even Chocolate Kiss Thumbprint Cookies – but the cookie itself stays the same:

Bowl of peanut butter blossom dough

A peanut butter-flavored sugar cookie with a chocolate kiss pressed into the middle.

The dough is essentially a simple no-chill sugar cookie dough with peanut butter added to it. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, a Hershey Kiss gets pressed into the top. 

As the cookies cool, the chocolate hardens and the cookie holds its shape around the kiss, holding it in place and creating the perfect chocolate-peanut butter bite.

Looking for something with EXTRA peanut butter? Try Peanut Butter Cup Cookies!

Ball of peanut butter blossom cookie dough being rolled in granulated sugar

HOW TO MAKE PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS

Like all of our baking recipes, start these cookies by getting your ingredients ready:

  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, plus ½ cup for rolling the cookies
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 (9 ounce) bags milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped
Balls of peanut butter blossom dough arranged on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ready to bake

In a large bowl, cream together the shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, and 1 cup of the granulated sugar until smooth. Then add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the milk and the vanilla.

Separately, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add this to the peanut butter mixture until well combined.

Scoop up tablespoons of the dough and roll them into balls. Roll each ball into the remaining granulated sugar and place them 2 inches apart on lined baking sheets.

Freshly baked peanut butter blossoms with hershey kisses pressed into the middle lined up on a baking sheet

While this entire recipe is easy for kids to help make, they really love to help with shaping and rolling the dough balls!

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. As soon as you remove them from the oven, carefully press a chocolate kiss into the top of each cookie.

Remember that the cookies are hot, so be careful with this step, especially if you have little hands helping you.

Let the cookies cool completely before serving or boxing up to gift to a neighbor or loved one.

Peanut butter blossoms cooling on a wire rack

ALLERGY-FRIENDLY VARIATIONS

If you or someone you know has a peanut allergy, you might be wondering how you can make these Hershey Kiss cookies without peanut butter.

Sunflower seed butter, aka Sunbutter, is a great substitute for peanut butter in recipes. It has a similar texture and flavor to peanut butter but without the nuts and should work just fine in this recipe.

Peanut butter blossoms arranged on a wire cooling rack over a piece of parchment paper

If you are allergic to peanuts but still able to have tree nuts, you can give my Chocolate Almond Kiss Cookies a try. They use almonds instead of peanut butter for a slightly different seasonal flair. 

Or make Candy Cane Kiss Cookies or an entirely chocolate-free version!

Even though the original recipe uses milk chocolate kisses, you can swap in any type of Hershey’s Kiss that you like – dark chocolate, caramel, hot cocoa, white chocolate..the options are endless!

Hand holding up a peanut butter blossom with a bite taken out of it

STORAGE AND FREEZING TIPS

Store Peanut Butter Blossoms in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Because they don’t need to be refrigerated and will stay good for a few days, they are perfect for taking to a cookie exchange or even overnighting to friends and family.

You can also freeze these cookies! Follow my steps for how to freeze cookie dough to freeze the dough balls and bake off as many as you like whenever you like.

Alternatively, package up the baked cookies in airtight containers and freeze them for up to a month. Let them come to room temperature before serving on a cookie platter alongside other holiday favorites such as Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, Peppermint Oreo Balls, and Snowball Cookies.

Peanut butter blossom cookies arranged on a piece of parchment paper next to a glass of milk
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Peanut Butter Blossoms

By: Jamie
4.50 from 271 ratings
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Total: 42 minutes
Servings: 80
Peanut Butter Blossoms – sometimes known as Hershey Kiss Cookies or Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies – are the perfect classic holiday cookie to make with kids or bring to a cookie exchange.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1/2 cup for rolling
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 18 ounces milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, cream together shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, and 1 cup granulated sugar until smooth. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating until fully incorporated. Mix in milk and vanilla.
  • In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the peanut butter mixture until well blended.
  • Shape tablespoonfuls of dough into balls, and roll in remaining granulated sugar. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven, and immediately press a chocolate kiss into each cookie. Allow to cool completely; the kiss will harden as it cools.

Video

Notes

  • This makes a lot of cookies, but it’s perfect for cookie exchange prep or holiday parties.
  • I have not attempted this recipe using butter instead of shortening.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 83kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 76mg, Sugar: 5g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

4.50 from 271 votes (271 ratings without comment)

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118 Comments

  1. Lindsey says:

    Should you use dark brown sugar or light brown sugar?
    Also, can you substitute in almond milk?
    Thanks!

    1. Jamie says:

      Hi Lindsey – You can use either. I usually use light brown, but you can use dark brown if you’d like a more pronounced molasses flavor. I have not personally used almond milk in these, but it should work ok. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it goes for you. Happy baking!
      Jamie

  2. Paula D says:

    Now I have recipe again all my cooking books is at my other home

    1. Jamie says:

      So glad I could help you track down this recipe! Enjoy!
      -Jamie

  3. Kim says:

    These are AWESOME! Thank You so much for this!!! They make ALOT and are soft and PERFECT!

    1. Jamie says:

      So happy to hear you enjoyed the cookies, Kim! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback.
      -Jamie

  4. Rose Montali says:

    Best holiday cookie! We tried peanut butter cups instead of kisses! Really good! I also used 1 cup of butter instead of shortening. Turned out great!

    1. Jamie says:

      So happy to hear you enjoyed them, Rose! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback.
      -Jamie

  5. Karen Sepko says:

    What a GREAT IDEA Keelin!!! Baking cookies brings joyful anticipation and a sweet reward. In the end the work was worth it.. Baking Peanut Blossom cookies was the highlight of our family Christmas.

  6. Nemesia says:

    Can I sub butter if I don’t have shortening?

    1. Jamie says:

      Should work just fine!

  7. Mary Kathleen Edwards says:

    can you freeze them after baking

    1. Jamie says:

      Yes, you can definitely freeze these. :)

  8. Margaret Silverstein says:

     Do you think this recipe can be made without egg .
    I have an any allergy

    1. Marge says:

      Should say an egg allergy

  9. chad says:

    Hey i need this for a math project how many servings is this?

    1. Jamie says:

      Hello! This recipe makes about 80 cookies. Happy baking!
      Jamie