Peanut Blossom Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide to Holiday Baking Perfection
The peanut blossom cookie. Just the name conjures images of warm kitchens, cozy gatherings, and the irresistible aroma of peanut butter and chocolate. This classic holiday treat is surprisingly easy to make, and the results are undeniably delicious. This guide will walk you through a foolproof recipe, offering tips and tricks to achieve perfectly crisp edges and a gooey, chocolate-peanut butter center. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these delightful confections!
Ingredients You'll Need
Before you begin, gather these essential ingredients:
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For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
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For the Chocolate Kiss Topping:
- 1 cup milk chocolate candy kisses
Step-by-Step Instructions: Baking Your Peanut Blossom Cookies
Let's embark on this delicious baking journey!
Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugars
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving a tender crumb. A stand mixer or hand mixer works best here.
Step 2: Incorporating the Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Combining the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Step 4: Adding the Peanut Butter
Stir in the peanut butter until evenly distributed throughout the dough. The dough will be quite thick.
Step 5: Shaping the Cookies
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on ungreased baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.
Step 6: Baking the Cookie Base
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The centers will still be soft.
Step 7: Pressing in the Kisses
Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, press a milk chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. The heat from the cookies will help melt the chocolate slightly, creating that signature peanut blossom look.
Step 8: Cooling and Serving
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Peanut Blossom Cookie Perfection
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted. This ensures proper creaming and a light, fluffy cookie.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough develops the gluten, resulting in tough cookies. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
- Chill the Dough (Optional): For even more perfectly shaped cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Adjust Baking Time: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust baking time as needed.
Variations to Explore
While the classic peanut blossom is perfect as is, you can easily customize it:
- Dark Chocolate Kisses: Swap milk chocolate kisses for dark chocolate for a richer, more intense flavor.
- Peanut Butter Chips: Add some peanut butter chips to the dough for an extra burst of peanut butter flavor.
- Sprinkles: Add festive sprinkles to the top of the cookies before baking for a fun, colorful twist.
These Peanut Blossom Cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With their simple recipe and irresistible flavor combination, they are a must-try for any baker, novice or expert. Enjoy!
