I love to making Peanut Butter Blossoms during the holidays. I have a lot of memories of making them as a child with my mother. She would always put me in charge of unwrapping the holiday kisses. It was so much fun! I know she found the recipe on the back of the Hershey Kisses bag like most parents did. These days I’ve adapted it slightly to make them softer and chewier, and I’ve found a way to make them even more festive.
Since these are a great recipe to make with kids, I always suggest getting them in the kitchen with you the second you are ready to begin. I let mine make the dough from scratch and choose the decoration colors. I even pick up different kinds of chocolate kisses at the store and let them decide the color combinations they are going to make!
I’ve experimented with many different ways to dress up these cookies and have come to determine that sanding sugar and small sprinkles are the best way to do so. The cookies puff up and expand as they bake and you really want them to stick to the cookie dough and not shed all over the baking sheet in the oven.
Once the cookies are rolled and baked it’s time for the best part – adding the kisses. This is always the hardest part since the cookies are still warm and the chocolate melts slightly. After you add the kisses try (try!) not to touch the cookies for about half an hour. It’s really important that they firm up! Then, once they have, they are all ready to eat. As always, I suggest adding these to pretty cookie gift boxes or similar to give to friends and family. Also, be sure to save a whole bunch for your family. If your family is like mine, there definitely won’t be a chance you have any leftover by Christmas Day. Enjoy!
PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES WITH HERSHEY KISSES
A Christmas cookie classic. When making your favorite peanut butter cookie use red or green sugar to roll them for an extra holiday twist! 🎄
Makes about
Ingredients
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup peanut butter (don’t use an all-natural brand)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Hershey Kisses
Red sanding sugar for rolling, Green sanding sugar and sprinkles
In a large bowl combine the sugars, butter and peanut butter with a hand mixer until light and creamy.
Add the egg and vanilla and mix until completely combined.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix them with a fork to combine.
With the mixer on low, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until they are just combined, and no more flour is visible.
Place ball of dough in a mixing bowl and cover it with plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for at least 40 minutes, or up to overnight.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Remove the dough from the oven and pinch off bits and roll them into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the sanding sugars until they are completely coated.
Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops are set and the cookie is golden brown.
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool for 1 minute. Then, carefully, place the Hershey Kisses into the tops of the cookie and press down slightly. Use a spatula to transfer them to a cooling rack. Allow the cookies to cool completely and the kisses to cool completely before eating.
Enjoy
Nikki Glekas is the owner of Nikki Glekas Events, a full-service catering and events company located in Stamford, CT. She is currently operating with COVID-safe procedures and is happy to discuss your event and catering needs with you. To discuss further please contact team@nikkiglekasevents.com or call 203.658.8659.