Peanut Butter Blossoms Three Ways

These classic peanut butter blossoms cookies have been a family favorite for generations, offering the perfect balance of a chewy peanut butter cookie base with a signature chocolate kiss center. This versatile peanut butter blossoms recipe delivers three delicious variations from one simple dough: classic Hershey kiss-topped blossoms, jam-filled thumbprints, and sugar-dusted crinkles. In just 35 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of baking time, you can create a beautiful peanut butter cookie assortment perfect for holiday trays, cookie exchanges, or any sweet craving.

I first baked these peanut butter blossoms for a neighborhood cookie exchange and needed quick variety—splitting one dough into three was a lifesaver. Transforming the base into classic blossoms, jammy thumbprints, and crinkle cookies meant there was something for everyone, and now my family requests these at every holiday gathering. The peanut butter blossoms recipe has truly become our seasonal tradition, and kids love helping roll and top each batch with different candies or jam.

Gather Your Ingredients

• All-purpose flour, measured as 1¾ cups plus 2 tablespoons: Ensures cookies hold their shape without becoming dry; use the spoon and level method to avoid dense results; you can substitute a 1 to 1 gluten free flour blend if needed.
• Pinch of salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the overall cookie flavor; flaky sea salt can be used for a subtle crunch on top.
• Butter, softened to room temperature (½ cup): Creates a rich, tender crumb; unsalted is best to control seasoning, but plant-based butter can be swapped for dairy-free needs.
• Creamy peanut butter (½ cup): Gives the signature nutty flavor; use a natural or conventional variety, just note natural versions may alter dough consistency slightly and require more flour.
• Light brown sugar, packed (½ cup): Adds moisture and caramel undertones from the molasses; dark brown sugar works for a deeper flavor twist.
• Powdered sugar, sifted (½ cup plus an additional ½ cup): Extra tenderizes the cookie for a melt-in-your-mouth bite; use the additional amount for rolling crinkle cookies to achieve the crackle effect.
• Large egg at room temperature: Binds everything together and ensures cookies rise correctly; for egg-free, use a flaxseed or chia seed substitute.
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Boosts the overall aroma and flavor profile; pure extract is best, and almond extract can be swapped for a twist.
• Granulated sugar (½ cup): For rolling cookies to achieve a crisp, sparkling exterior; try colored sugar for festive looks.
• Unwrapped chocolate kisses (24 pieces): The classic topping for blossom cookies; dark chocolate or chocolate-covered caramels are great alternative choices.
• Optional jam: Your favorite fruit preserves work perfectly for the thumbprint variation, offering sweet, tart, or even spicy options.

How to Make Peanut Butter Blossoms Three Ways

Prepare the Dry Ingredients:

Whisk flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt together in a medium bowl until evenly mixed. Even distribution of leavening helps ensure the peanut butter blossoms rise uniformly, essential for consistent shape and texture.

Cream the Butter and Sugars:

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and creamy peanut butter together for about 2 minutes, until completely creamy. Add both the brown sugar and powdered sugar, and continue whipping the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes until it turns light in color and fluffy—this aerates the dough for tender cookies.

Add Wet Ingredients:

Crack the egg in and pour the vanilla extract, then beat on medium speed, scraping the bowl as needed, until the mixture is smooth and glossy. This step binds the fats and sugars for a cohesive dough.

Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures:

Gradually fold in the dry ingredients with the mixer on low just until combined; avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies. Stop as soon as no visible flour remains to maintain gentle texture.

Portion the Dough for Variations:

Divide dough into three equal sections for the classic blossoms, thumbprints, and crinkle cookies. Shape each section into 1 inch balls and arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets 2 inches apart for proper heat distribution.

Shape Each Cookie Style:

Roll classic blossoms in granulated sugar. For crinkles, roll the dough balls first in granulated sugar and then in powdered sugar to coat completely. For thumbprints, roll in granulated sugar and create an indentation with your thumb or a small spoon in the center of each ball.

Chill the Dough:

Refrigerate all shaped cookies while you preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes. This chilling period helps minimize spreading during baking and intensifies the peanut and vanilla flavors throughout.

Bake to Perfection:

Bake the cookies for about 12 minutes until edges look set and centers remain a bit soft. Resist overbaking; you want the cookies pale golden for a tender, soft crumb.

Finish Each Variation:

For blossoms, immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie when hot. For thumbprints, gently deepen the indentations as soon as they come out of the oven. Let crinkle cookies cool on the baking sheet without touching them, preserving the crackly surface.

Cool and Fill as Needed:

Allow all cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack. For thumbprints, fill with jam only once completely cool, to prevent the filling from melting or getting runny.

The real secret to next-level peanut butter blossoms is choosing a high quality peanut butter. I discovered that using natural peanut butter gives the deepest flavor, but it may require adding a bit more flour compared to commercial brands due to its higher oil content. It was a happy revelation that the classic crinkle and jam thumbprint variations could so easily emerge from one family-favorite dough, making every batch a creative adventure for kids and adults alike.

Smart Swaps and Variations

This peanut butter blossoms recipe is wonderfully adaptable for many preferences and occasions. Swap in almond or cashew butter for a new nutty flavor while retaining that soft, chewy cookie texture. Add a tablespoon of extra flour if using a runnier, natural nut butter for best results. You can transform the look with colored sugar for any holiday or substitute chocolate kisses with chocolate covered caramel, dark chocolate chunks, or mini peanut butter cups for a twist. For thumbprints, experiment with various jams or even a bit of lemon curd for brightness, making each batch distinctly your own.

How to Store and Reheat Peanut Butter Blossoms

Once fully cooled, store peanut butter blossoms in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, layering with parchment paper to keep them from sticking or damaging their chocolate or jam centers. For best results, refrigerate jam-filled thumbprints if you need to keep them longer than 2 days to maintain freshness. These cookies also freeze well for up to 3 months; use a freezer-safe container with parchment layers, and simply thaw at room temperature for 2 hours before serving. Add jam after thawing unfilled thumbprints for maximum freshness.

What to Serve with Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut butter blossoms are a classic alongside cold milk for the perfect nostalgic snack, or coffee and tea for a more grown up pairing. On a holiday cookie tray, combine them with tart lemon bars, chewy chocolate chip cookies, or crisp shortbread for a balanced and festive assortment. For dessert, try sandwiching ice cream between two cookies for a decadent treat, or serve with fruit preserves for an extra special presentation at parties and family gatherings.

Nutritional Benefits

Though meant to be enjoyed as a treat, peanut butter blossoms offer a nutritional edge: peanut butter provides protein and healthy fats, making them a more satisfying option than simple sugar cookies. Each two cookie serving contains about 200 calories, supplying vitamins E and B, a little iron, and filling monounsaturated fat. The inclusion of egg means extra protein, and with easy swaps for gluten free or dairy free diets, these cookies can suit multiple needs and preferences.

Recipe Success Tips

If your peanut butter blossoms spread too much, chill the dough longer and check that the butter was sufficiently cool before mixing. For dry, crumbly cookies, avoid overbaking and always measure flour by spooning and leveling for accuracy. To stop chocolate kisses from melting excessively, chill them in the freezer for 30 minutes before pressing onto hot cookies. Testing with a single cookie prior to baking the whole batch can help you fine tune bake time and dough consistency in your own oven.

Peanut butter blossoms three ways have become our signature cookie for family celebrations and festive exchanges. I hope each variation adds a new favorite to your table and brings sweet memories with every batch you bake.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ What makes peanut butter blossoms unique?

Peanut butter blossoms stand out thanks to their soft peanut butter dough and signature chocolate kiss center. The three variations offer different textures and tastes, from classic to crinkle and thumbprint styles.

→ Can I use natural peanut butter for these cookies?

While creamy peanut butter yields the best texture, you can use natural peanut butter if it's well-stirred and not too oily. The dough should hold together without being too crumbly or dry.

→ How do I achieve the crinkled look on the cookies?

For crinkle cookies, roll the dough balls in granulated sugar followed by powdered sugar. This helps create the signature cracked surface as they bake and cool.

→ What fillings work well for thumbprint cookie variation?

Jam is traditional for thumbprint cookies, but chocolate spread, caramel, or even nut butter are delicious choices. Make the indent just before baking and fill once cool.

→ Can these cookies be made ahead of time?

Absolutely! Baked peanut butter blossoms keep well in an airtight container for several days, and the dough can be made ahead, chilled, and baked when needed.