Name: Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 33 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113 g); ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (213 g); ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed (138 g); ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 g), plus extra for rolling; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml); 1 large egg; 1 tablespoon milk (15 ml); ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour (248 g); 40 Hershey's Kisses, unwrapped

There’s something utterly charming about the classic Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe — the soft peanut butter cookie wrapped around a melty Hershey’s Kiss, all rolled in sugar for that perfect little crunch. These cookies aren’t just tasty; they’re little bites of nostalgia that bring warmth to any kitchen.

A white plate holds six round thumbprint cookies arranged neatly, each cookie having a light golden brown color with a soft, slightly cracked texture. Every cookie has a single, smooth, dark chocolate kiss placed firmly in the center, slightly melted and glossy. Around the cookies, there are three extra chocolate kisses scattered on the plate. The plate rests on a white marbled background with a soft focus of a blue and white checkered cloth in the back. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made these cookies countless times, especially around the holidays, and every batch feels just right—soft, chewy, with that irresistible chocolate kiss on top. It’s a recipe that works whether you’re a baking pro or just getting started.

Classic Flavor Combo: Peanut butter and chocolate are a timeless duo that everyone seems to love.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your pantry—no need for fancy or hard-to-find items.
Perfect Texture: Soft and chewy cookies with just the right hint of crunch from the sugar coating.
Quick to Make: From start to finish in about 30 minutes, these cookies come together fast for last-minute cravings or gifts.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a special role here, creating the cookie’s classic peanut buttery flavor and a soft but sturdy texture that holds the chocolate kiss perfectly. Here’s a quick peek at what’s behind the magic.

Flat lay of a small pile of unsalted butter cubes, a smooth dollop of creamy peanut butter, a mound of packed light brown sugar, a small heap of granulated sugar crystals, a single large brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl filled with milk, a tiny white bowl containing baking soda powder, a pinch of salt displayed in a tiny white ceramic bowl, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, and several unwrapped Hershey’s Kisses chocolates with shiny silver foils, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a tender crumb in the cookie.
Creamy peanut butter: The star of the show—it gives that unmistakable peanut butter taste and moist texture.
Light brown sugar: Adds a hint of molasses flavor and helps keep the cookies chewy.
Granulated sugar: Used both in the dough and for rolling to add a slight crunch and sweetness.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors, rounding out the sweetness beautifully.
Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds moisture without making the dough too dense.
Milk: Adds just enough moisture to make the dough easy to handle and shape.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly, keeping them light and soft.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the peanut butter flavor.
All-purpose flour: Provides the structure so the cookies hold their shape without being tough.
Hershey's Kisses: The iconic topping that melts into the center for a silky chocolate finish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I often tweak the recipe just a bit to match the season or my mood, and it always turns out great.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the regular peanut butter for natural peanut butter to get a more intense, less sweet flavor—and I still love how chewy the cookies turn out.
Dietary twist: For gluten-free, I've replaced the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, which works well without sacrificing texture.
Seasonal touch: Around Christmas, I like rolling the dough balls in colored sugar crystals before baking for a festive, sparkling finish.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe

A close-up image shows a woman's hand pressing a round dark chocolate piece into the center of a golden-brown peanut butter cookie. The cookies are rough-textured and round, placed evenly on a light brown baking mat with a grid-like pattern. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Creaming the Butters and Sugars

Start by softening both your unsalted butter and peanut butter until they're smooth and easy to mix. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat them together until well combined. Then add the light brown sugar and granulated sugar, creaming everything together until it’s fluffy and smooth. This step is key to getting that soft bite in the final cookie.

Step 2: Mixing Wet Ingredients

Next, add in your egg, vanilla extract, and milk. These ingredients combine to bind your dough and add moisture so your cookies are tender but not cakey. Mix at medium speed until everything is well blended.

Step 3: Adding the Dry Ingredients

Time for the baking soda, salt, and all-purpose flour. Sprinkle your baking soda and salt over the wet ingredients and mix briefly. Then slowly add the flour, mixing just until everything pulls together into a cookie dough. Be sure not to overmix here — you want the dough smooth but not tough.

Step 4: Rolling and Sugaring

Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll each in a bowl of granulated sugar. This extra sugar on the outside gives you a delightful bite and a subtle shimmer on the finished cookie. Place the sugared dough balls about 2 inches apart on parchment-lined cookie sheets to prevent them from sticking together during baking.

Step 5: Baking and Adding Kisses

Bake cookies at 350°F for 9-13 minutes. You'll know they're ready when the edges are lightly golden and the tops lose that wet, glossy look. Right out of the oven, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. The residual heat softens that kiss perfectly without melting it away too much.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that ensure these Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies come out perfect every time. Here are the few simple tips I swear by.

Don’t overbake: The cookies will firm up as they cool, so pull them out just as the edges begin to brown but the center still looks soft.
Chill the dough if needed: If your kitchen is warm, chilling the dough 15-20 minutes makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies keep their shape.
Roll in sugar generously: This not only gives that nice crunchy texture but also helps the cookie surface look pretty and uniform.
Press the kisses gently: Add them right out of the oven to melt the chocolate slightly but avoid pushing too hard to keep the cookie intact.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe

peanut butter blossom cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just the Hershey's Kiss on top — it’s classic for a reason! But for a festive flair, I sometimes sprinkle a pinch of edible glitter or a light dusting of powdered sugar after baking. When I get a little creative, crushed peanuts or a tiny drizzle of melted chocolate make for fun garnishes too.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk (classic, right?), hot cocoa, or even a cup of black coffee to balance the sweetness. For gatherings, I love offering a small cheese platter alongside, letting guests nibble between bites for a grown-up twist.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or gifts, I arrange these cookies in a tiered dessert stand lined with festive napkins or inside clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon. Another favorite is making a cookie platter with assorted flavors and colors, so these Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies really pop with their iconic chocolate crowns.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to 5 days. If you notice they’re firming up a bit, a quick zap in the microwave for 10 seconds brings back that fresh-baked softness.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I like to freeze unbaked cookie dough balls separated on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. When you want cookies, bake straight from frozen adding a minute or two to the baking time. Alternately, you can freeze baked cookies in airtight containers with parchment layers for up to 3 months.

Reheating

To warm up previously baked cookies, I recommend a quick 10-15 second microwave burst or a few minutes in a 300°F oven. This revives the tenderness and slightly melty chocolate without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

You can, but the texture of the dough will change slightly. Crunchy peanut butter adds little bits of peanuts to the cookie, which some people enjoy for added crunch. Just be sure to mix well so the nuts are evenly distributed.

Why do the cookies spread too much?

If your cookies are spreading too much during baking, it could be due to softened butter that's too warm or dough that’s too thin. Try chilling the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking, and make sure you’re measuring your flour correctly by spooning and leveling rather than scooping directly.

Can I substitute the Hershey’s Kisses with other chocolates?

Absolutely! Feel free to use mini peanut butter cups, chocolate chips, or even white chocolate candies. Just keep in mind that larger or different shapes may melt differently and change the final texture of the cookie.

How long do these cookies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and soft for about 4-5 days. For longer storage, freezing the baked cookies is your best bet and can keep them fresh for up to 3 months.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s the one I go back to when I want comfort food that feels both nostalgic and festive. I hope you give it a try and find the simple joy in making and sharing these classic treats with your people. Happy baking, friend!