Name: Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 and 1/4 cups (156g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar; 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 3/4 cup (about 185g) creamy peanut butter; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 24 chocolate kiss candies, unwrapped; 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar; OR: 1/4 cup (50g) green sanding sugar and 1/4 cup (50g) red sanding sugar

Jump to Recipe·5 from 22 reviews

When it comes to cookie classics, few treats draw a smile like Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms. With their soft and chewy peanut butter base crowned with a signature chocolate kiss, these cookies are the ultimate holiday favorite but taste just as wonderful any day of the year. In every bite, you get a little salty, a little sweet, that rich nutty aroma, and of course, that iconic chocolate center that makes these cookies truly irresistible.

Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms lies in the simple yet perfectly balanced list of ingredients. Each element pulls its weight for taste, texture, and that irresistible cookie color. Here’s what you’ll need and why you shouldn’t skip a thing:

All-purpose flour: Provides structure and that perfect cookie crumb; be sure to spoon and level to avoid dense cookies.
Baking soda: Gives your cookies a tender lift that prevents them from turning out flat.
Salt: Deepens all the flavors, letting the peanut butter truly shine while balancing sweetness.
Unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and ensures your dough is creamy and easy to mix.
Brown sugar: Brings caramel notes and added moisture for chewiness.
Granulated sugar: Not only sweetens, but also helps achieve that classic crackled top.
Large egg: Binds everything together for that signature chewy bite.
Creamy peanut butter: The heart of the cookie! Go for a creamy version for best texture (no need for “natural” style here, it can be too runny).
Pure vanilla extract: Just a splash deepens every flavor in the dough.
Chocolate kiss candies: These are the “blossom” and what makes these cookies famous—unwrap them before you start baking for quick assembly!
Granulated sugar or sanding sugar for rolling: Coating the dough balls gives them a sparkly crackle and a delicate crunch when you bite in.

How to Make Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms

Step 1: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This quick step ensures even distribution—no surprise pockets of baking soda—and sets the stage for perfect texture when you combine everything later. Set this mixture aside while you move on to the creamy stuff.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Using a mixer, beat your softened butter on high until light and airy. Add the brown and granulated sugars, beating until fluffy—about two minutes. Creaming at this stage gives you the base for those soft, slightly chewy Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms. Don’t rush this step, and make sure to scrape the bowl so nothing’s left behind.

Step 3: Add the Egg, Peanut Butter, and Vanilla

Crack in your large egg and beat until combined. Next, add the peanut butter (dollop it in generously!) and the vanilla extract. Mix until everything is smooth and fully incorporated. At this point, the scent will have you drooling!

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add your whisked flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Go slow and beat on low speed, just until you see no streaks of flour left. The dough will feel soft and creamy—that’s perfect. Now, cover and chill the dough for at least one hour; this step is essential for thick, pillowy cookies.

Step 5: Prep for Baking

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Make sure to clear a space in your freezer—this will help set the chocolate kisses quickly and prevent them from melting into gooey puddles later!

Step 6: Shape and Bake the Cookies

Scoop heaping tablespoonfuls of dough and roll each into a ball. Roll the balls in granulated or colored sanding sugar until they’re sparkly and fully coated. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about three inches apart. Bake for 11–13 minutes, until the tops start to crack and the edges are set but not browned. Let them cool for five minutes on the sheets—they’re still quite soft at this stage.

Step 7: Add the Chocolate and Set

Working quickly but gently, press a chocolate kiss candy into the center of each cookie right as they come out of the oven. Use a thin spatula to move the cookies to plates (they’re fragile!), and pop the plates in the freezer for 10 minutes. This helps the chocolate keep its iconic kiss shape instead of melting.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!

Take the cookies out of the freezer—they should be set and ready to enjoy. Present your Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms on a festive platter, or just dig in with a tall glass of cold milk. They’re nostalgia on a plate!

How to Serve Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms

Garnishes

While these cookies are already show-stoppers with their crackled sugar coating and glossy chocolate center, you can add a little seasonal flair with a sprinkle of colored sanding sugar before baking. A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving makes them look extra magical, especially for holidays or special occasions.

Side Dishes

Cookies and milk are a timeless pair, especially when it comes to Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms. For parties, try pairing them with coffee, hot chocolate, or even a creamy chai latte. Their rich peanut butter flavor complements both plain and spiced drinks beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack them in a glass jar with a ribbon for a sweet homemade gift, or arrange them in concentric circles on a pretty plate for your dessert table. Around the holidays, swap the chocolate kiss for seasonal flavors like caramel-filled or mint candies for a fun twist that still stays true to the Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms spirit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once fully cooled, store Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms covered at room temperature for up to a week. They’ll stay soft and delicious, but hide them well—they tend to disappear fast! A tin or airtight container keeps them tasting freshly baked.

Freezing

Both the baked cookies and unbaked dough freeze wonderfully. For baked cookies, place in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a zip-top bag (don’t forget to label!). For the dough, shape into balls and freeze on a tray, then bag and keep up to three months. Bake from frozen, adding an extra minute or two.

Reheating

If your cookies have been frozen or you just love that right-out-of-the-oven feeling, a 5–10 second zap in the microwave revives their soft texture and gets that chocolate just a bit melty—perfect for savoring Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms as if they were just baked.

FAQs

Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?

Chunky peanut butter will work in a pinch and gives the cookies little nutty bits for extra texture. Just keep in mind the cookies won’t be quite as soft and smooth as the classic style.

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough builds flavor and ensures your Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms spread less in the oven, giving you thicker, chewier cookies with those signature cracks on top.

What’s the best way to unwrap a lot of chocolate kisses quickly?

The easiest method is to enlist a helper or two, and unwrap all chocolates before you start baking. Place them in a bowl within arm’s reach so you can press them in right after baking, when the cookies are still warm.

How do I keep the chocolate kisses from melting?

Once you’ve pressed the chocolate kiss into each warm cookie, immediately transfer the cookies to a plate and place them in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This keeps the chocolate perfectly set and picture-perfect.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Absolutely! Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms are easy to double (or even triple). Just make sure you have enough baking sheets and chocolate kisses. You might want to chill the dough in batches if your refrigerator is tight on space.

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t baked a batch of Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms in a while, now’s the perfect time. They’re a timeless treat that never goes out of style and are just as fun to make as they are to eat. Give them a try, share them with someone you love, and prepare for plenty of requests for the recipe!