If you’re on the hunt for a nostalgic cookie to brighten your holiday festivities, look no further than this Classic Christmas Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe. These delightful treats combine the rich, nutty flavor of creamy peanut butter with the soft texture of a home-baked cookie, crowned perfectly by a melting chocolate kiss that sends every bite over the top. This recipe brings the warmth and joy of Christmas baking straight to your kitchen, creating memories as sweet as the cookies themselves.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple ingredients often create the most magical results, and this Classic Christmas Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe is no exception. Each component plays a vital role in delivering the cookie’s irresistible flavor, tender texture, and that inviting golden color.
- ½ cup unsalted butter: Softened for easy creaming and to provide a rich, creamy base without added saltiness.
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter: Offers that signature nutty depth and moistness to every bite.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a slight crispness on the outside.
- ½ cup brown sugar: Brings a touch of moisture and caramel undertones that deepen the cookie flavor.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and contributes to the tender crumb.
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy structure that holds the cookie’s shape.
- ½ tsp baking soda: Gives the cookie a gentle rise and lightness.
- Chocolate kiss candies: The iconic topping that melts slightly to add creamy chocolate perfection.
How to Make Classic Christmas Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare your oven and cookie dough
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s perfectly hot to give your cookies a beautiful rise and gentle browning. While the oven warms, grab a large mixing bowl and combine the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Cream these together until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for the texture – it incorporates air that results in tender cookies.
Step 2: Add the egg and dry ingredients
Next, beat in the egg until fully incorporated. Then, slowly sift in the all-purpose flour and baking soda. Mixing just until combined keeps the cookies soft and tender. Overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, so keep it gentle here.
Step 3: Shape and bake the cookies
Roll the dough into small balls, about one inch in diameter, and place them evenly spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft – they will continue to cook as they cool.
Step 4: Add the chocolate kiss topping
Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press one chocolate kiss candy gently into the center of each warm cookie. The heat will soften the chocolate just enough for it to nestle perfectly without melting away. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet; as they cool, the chocolate hardens into its signature glossy finish.
How to Serve Classic Christmas Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the chocolate kiss does the heavy lifting here, you can get creative by dusting the cookies lightly with powdered sugar for a snow-kissed effect. A sprinkle of finely chopped roasted peanuts can add extra crunch and emphasize the peanut flavor beautifully.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine with a cold glass of milk or a steaming cup of hot cocoa, perfect for cozying up during those chilly holiday evenings. For adults, spiced eggnog or a creamy coffee drink also pair wonderfully with the sweet and salty combination in the cookies.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive gathering, arrange your Classic Christmas Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe on a holiday-themed platter surrounded by evergreen sprigs or cranberries. Wrapping a few in clear gift bags tied with cinnamon-stick ribbons makes for charming edible presents that friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and chewy for up to five days, making it easy to enjoy that festive flavor throughout the week.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies or shaped dough balls. If freezing dough, wrap tightly in plastic and place in a freezer bag for up to three months. When ready to bake, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and proceed. Baked cookies freeze best in an airtight container with parchment between layers.
Reheating
If you prefer your cookies slightly warm, reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes or until just warmed through. This brings back the soft texture and slightly melty kiss without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add a lovely nutty texture within the cookie, giving you even more peanut flavor and an enjoyable crunch in every bite.
What can I substitute for chocolate kiss candies?
If you don’t have chocolate kisses, try mini chocolate chips or a small square of your favorite chocolate bar pressed into the cookie while warm. Just be sure to add the chocolate before the cookie cools.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe as written uses all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, substitute a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Keep an eye on texture as some blends absorb moisture differently.
How do I prevent the chocolate from melting completely?
Press the chocolate kisses onto the cookies right after baking, while they’re warm but not hot. This allows the chocolate to soften and stick without fully melting. Avoid placing warm cookies in direct heat afterward.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
To veganize this recipe, swap butter for a plant-based alternative, use a flax or chia egg in place of the large egg, and select dairy-free chocolate kisses. The flavor will still be fantastic!
Final Thoughts
There is a real joy in baking and sharing this Classic Christmas Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe. It is such a charming blend of flavors and textures that evoke all the cozy feelings of the season. I promise once you try it, it will become a holiday tradition in your home too. Happy baking and even happier holiday memories!
Print
Classic Christmas Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 18-20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Classic Christmas Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies are soft and chewy treats featuring a perfect blend of creamy peanut butter and sugars, baked to golden perfection and topped with iconic chocolate kiss candies. These timeless cookies offer a nostalgic holiday flavor that delights cookie lovers every season.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
Topping
- Chocolate kiss candies (one per cookie)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for even baking.
- Cream fats and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and thoroughly blended.
- Add egg and dry ingredients: Beat in the large egg until fully incorporated. Then gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and baking soda until the dough comes together and is smooth.
- Shape cookie dough balls: Roll the dough into small, evenly sized balls, about 1 inch in diameter, to ensure uniform baking.
- Bake the cookies: Place the dough balls spaced apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Add chocolate kisses: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press one chocolate kiss candy into the center of each warm cookie. The heat will slightly melt the chocolate and secure it in place.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve once cooled or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Do not overbake; cookies should be soft in the center when removed from the oven.
- Using room temperature butter and peanut butter helps achieve a smoother cream during mixing.
- Press chocolate kisses in while cookies are hot to ensure they stick properly.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a festive twist, try using flavored chocolate kisses such as peppermint during the holidays.
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