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This Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe is perfect if you love the combination of soft peanut butter cookies and Hershey’s Kisses but don’t want to make too many. They’re great for a small get-together or just as a treat for yourself. The recipe is easy and quick, giving you that yummy mix of peanut butter and chocolate without leaving you with a bunch of extra cookies.
Looking for more small batch cookie recipes, you’ll love our Shortbread Bites, M&M Cookies, and classic Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- What Are Peanut Butter Blossoms?
- Ingredients
- Peanut Butter Cookie Variations
- How To Make Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Expert Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Best Small Batch Cookie Recipes To Try Next
- Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
- Small Batch Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Small Batch Bliss: Perfectly portioned to indulge without the guilt or extra dozen cookies lying around.
- Simple & Quick: Clear, step-by-step instructions take the guesswork out of baking, so you’ll have these cookies ready to devour in no time.
- Customizable: Whether you have dietary restrictions or simply love to get creative in the kitchen, this recipe offers options to make it your own.
- Doubles Easily: Need more? This recipe is easy to double or even triple for when you’ve got more mouths to feed.
- Great for Gifting: Their adorable look and wonderful flavor make these cookies an excellent choice for gift-giving during holidays or special occasions.
What Are Peanut Butter Blossoms?
Peanut Butter Blossoms, also widely recognized as Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies, have a fascinating history that adds to their charm. These iconic cookies first graced American kitchens in 1957, when Ohio baker Freda Smith entered them into the Grand National Pillsbury Bake-off competition. Originally intending to make peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, Freda found herself without chocolate chips. In a moment of culinary ingenuity, she substituted Hershey’s Kisses, placing one on top of each cookie.
Although Freda didn’t clinch first place in the contest, her creation skyrocketed in popularity and has since become a staple in American households, especially during holiday seasons. While small variations exist depending on the baker, the recipe’s soul remains the same: a delightful marriage of peanut butter and chocolate, proving that sometimes the most delicious innovations come from happy accidents.
Ingredients
Staying true to the classic recipe, these small batch Peanut Butter Blossoms aim to capture the flavor and texture that have made them a staple in American dessert culture.
- Sugar: Use 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Combined with butter, this forms the base of the cookie dough. An extra sprinkle of sugar will be used for rolling the dough balls before baking.
- Peanut butter: Use 2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter for the best texture. If you love peanut butter and have a little extra in your jar, consider using it in a small batch of rich and creamy Peanut Butter Bars, Peanut Butter Pie, Buckeyes, or Puppy Chow.
- Butter: Incorporate 2 tablespoons of slightly softened, salted butter. The key is to use butter that’s soft enough to cream with the sugar, creating air pockets for light and airy cookies. Your butter should still be cool but yield to a gentle finger press.
- Egg yolk: You’ll only need one egg yolk for this small batch. Hang on to the egg white and consider using it in any of our egg white recipes like a mini Pavlova or two Vanilla Cupcakes.
- Flour: Use 6 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to give structure to your cookies.
- Leavening Agents: Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of baking powder to give your cookies a slight lift.
- Hershey’s Kisses: These unwrapped milk chocolate pieces elevate the cookies from great to irresistible. After all, they wouldn’t be Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies without the iconic Hershey’s Kiss. Consider using any leftover “kisses” in a chocolatey S’mores Dip.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.
Peanut Butter Cookie Variations
A classic recipe is wonderful, but sometimes you want to shake things up. Here are some delightful variations to keep your Peanut Butter Blossom cookies fresh and exciting.
- White Chocolate Kisses: Switch out the traditional milk chocolate Hershey’s Kisses for white chocolate ones. This alternative offers a creamier, vanilla-flavored contrast to the peanut butter base.
- Mocha Magic: Add a quarter-teaspoon of instant coffee granules to your cookie dough to infuse a subtle mocha flavor that pairs wonderfully with both the peanut butter and chocolate.
- Tropical Twist: Sprinkle some shredded coconut on the cookies right before baking, adding a tropical flair that will transport your taste buds.
- Berry Burst: Before placing the Hershey’s Kiss on the freshly baked cookie, add a dollop of raspberry or strawberry jam for a fruity explosion that complements the rich chocolate and peanut butter.
- Cinnamon Swirl: Incorporate a dash of ground cinnamon into the dough for a warm, aromatic spin on this classic cookie. You could even roll the dough balls in cinnamon sugar for an extra layer of spice.
How To Make Peanut Butter Blossoms
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a small batch of Peanut Butter Blossoms. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, mix all the ingredients together except for the Hershey’s Kisses.
- Shape and Sugar-Coat: Roll the cookie dough into 1-inch balls, coat them in sugar, and place them 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet.
- Bake and Add Chocolate: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes or until they turn golden brown. As soon as they come out of the oven, immediately press an unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie.
These simple steps help you effortlessly create small batch Peanut Butter Blossoms that are as delicious as they are easy to make.
Expert Tips
- Experiment with Candy Toppings: While Hershey’s Kisses are the classic choice, feel free to get creative. Mini peanut butter cups or Rolo candies are delicious alternatives. Seasonal Hershey’s Kisses like peppermint or pumpkin spice can add a festive touch.
- Fancy Sugar Coating: For added flair, roll your cookie dough balls in colored sugar before baking. It makes for a visually striking and festive treat.
- Space Them Out: Ensure that your cookies are placed at least 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet. These cookies will spread as they bake, and spacing prevents them from sticking together.
- Nut Butter Nuances: If you’re using natural peanut butter, make sure to stir well if oil separation is noticeable. Substituting with different nut butters could change the cookie’s flavor and texture, so proceed with caution.
Serving Suggestions
Pair these Peanut Butter Blossoms with other small delights for a complete dessert experience.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: These cookies go wonderfully as a side with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Coffee: The nutty undertones in the cookie match perfectly with a cup of black coffee.
- Milk: A classic pair. Dip them into a glass of cold milk for ultimate satisfaction.
- Gift-Wrapped: These cookies make a fabulous homemade food gift. Just place them in a decorative tin or wrap them in cellophane, perhaps adding a festive ribbon or a personalized note for a gift that’s sure to impress and delight.
Frequently Asked Questions
They last up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
This small batch recipe will yield 6 cookies. After you have baked them, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
Yes! You can make a batch of the cookie dough and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Bake the cookies when you are ready.
In this recipe, you’ll only need the yolk of one egg. So, what should you do with that leftover egg white?
Don’t worry; it doesn’t have to go to waste! Store the unused egg white in the refrigerator and consider incorporating it into other recipes. Here are some scrumptious options:
Meringue Cookies
Coconut Macaroons
Flourless Chocolate Pecan Cookies
Mini Texas Sheet Cake
RELATED: Easy Dessert Recipes For One
Best Small Batch Cookie Recipes To Try Next
Done mastering the art of Peanut Butter Blossoms? Why stop there? Discover these other delightful cookie recipes, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without overwhelming your kitchen:
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you would like additional information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried this small batch peanut butter kiss cookies recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Small Batch Peanut Butter Blossoms
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar -divided
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons salted butter -softened
- 1 large egg yolk
- 6 tablespoons all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon baking powder
- 6 Hershey's Kisses -unwrapped
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375° F (190° C).
- In a medium sized bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, butter, and the egg yolk with an electric mixer.
- Add the flour, baking soda, and baking powder to the bowl and mix until dough forms.
- Pour remaining tablespoon of sugar in a separate small bowl and set aside.Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in the sugar and place 2-inches apart on a cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove cookie sheet from the oven and immediately press 1 chocolate candy into the center of each cookie.
- Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let cool for at least 30 minutes or until chocolate is set.
Notes
- Experiment with Candy Toppings: While Hershey’s Kisses are the classic choice, feel free to get creative. Mini peanut butter cups or Rolo candies are delicious alternatives. Seasonal Hershey’s Kisses like peppermint or pumpkin spice can add a festive touch.
- Fancy Sugar Coating: For added flair, roll your cookie dough balls in colored sugar before baking. It makes for a visually striking and festive treat.
- Space Them Out: Ensure that your cookies are placed at least 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet. These cookies will spread as they bake, and spacing prevents them from sticking together.
- Nut Butter Nuances: If you’re using natural peanut butter, make sure to stir well if oil separation is noticeable. Substituting with different nut butters could change the cookie’s flavor and texture, so proceed with caution.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I love it. It is so rich and sweet but i did have a little problem with it i had to add some milk in it to make it so it actually turned into batter. But over all Loved It!
I am so excited about making this small batch recipe! I use butter flavored shortening to keep the cookies from baking up too flat in my temperamental oven. Can I use it in this recipe, too??
I haven’t tested this cookie recipe with shortening but it should work fine.
Hi there. I enjoy many of your recipes so much that I would like to make them in larger quantities to share with my extended families. How would I go about increasing them? Many thanks for keeping us sane with delicious variety.
Hi Lorraine, I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipes. Although our recipes are created and tested to be single servings or small batch, many of then can be successfully doubled to serve more. If we know a recipe can be doubled with success we will make note of it within the recipe post. Feel free to reach out to ask me about any specific recipes.