Peanut Blossoms and Peppermint Blossoms

I made Peanut Blossoms tonight. They are a classic cookie…with peanut butter and a chocolate kiss on top. I also made a different version of this cookie, which I call Peppermint Blossoms.  A sugar cookie topped with a white chocolate peppermint Kiss. So, today you get two recipes instead of one.  Try my twist on the classic recipe and see if you like it!

Many people like to bake for the holidays in November and December. I enjoy this time of the year and usually make several different kinds of cookies. This classic cookie recipe is highly requested in my house every year. The peanut butter and chocolate go together so well, it’s a match made in heaven and truly shines in this sweet little treat.

What are Peanut Blossoms?

A peanut butter cookie dough makes the base of this cookie. A Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Kiss candy is placed in the center after baking the cookie. Kids love these cookies because you get a cookie and a piece of candy all in one treat. And despite what you may think, the cookie was not developed by Hershey. It was created by a home baker in Ohio, who entered her cookie into the 1957 Pillsbury Bake-Off competition. Peanut Blossoms resemble a flower blossom and were originally called Black-Eyed Susans. The cookie became a national grand prize winner and Pillsbury renamed her cookie, the Peanut Blossom.

Peanut Blossoms Recipe

What’s needed?

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• Sugar
• 40 milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped

How to make Peanut Blossoms?

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. Mix at low speed until a stiff dough is formed.
• Put about a 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar.

• Place balls on an ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
• Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately place a chocolate kiss on each cookie. Press firmly so each cookie cracks around the edge. I also used some Rolo candies with caramel inside. Press them gently in the center of the cookie, just as you do for the chocolate kisses. Yum!

• Remove the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. The recipe yields about 40 cookies. And of course, you need to test them, so TAKE A BIG BITE! I did!

This recipe for Peanut Blossoms originally came from the Pillsbury Best Cookies Cookbook. My recipe for Peppermint Blossoms is an adaptation of that classic recipe.

How to serve Peanut Blossoms and Peppermint Blossoms?

These sweet cookies make a great addition to your holiday cookie platter. They travel well to parties and family gatherings. But, I really love to put them in festive tins and give them as gifts to co-workers and neighbors. They are always excited to receive these cookies. Kids and adults both like them and I typically get requests for the recipe. Classic cookie recipes are great to include in your holiday cookie recipe collection.

Peppermint Blossoms Recipe

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup red sugar
• 30 white chocolate kisses with peppermint pieces, unwrapped

How to make Peppermint Blossoms?

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the first 9 ingredients. Mix at low speed until a stiff dough is formed.
• Mix 1/4 white sugar and 1/4 cup red sugar in a small bowl. Shape dough into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar.
• Place cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 12 minutes or until set. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
• Place a white chocolate peppermint kiss on each cookie. Remove the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

The recipe yields about 30-36 cookies. Let me know if you like this new spin on an old classic! My family sure does. Happy Holidays! Remember to post a comment at the link above.