What’s a Peanut Butter Blossom? You know the one. It’s that classic peanut butter cookie with a thumbprint center and a HERSHEY’S KISSES Chocolate — and it’s always the first to be eaten. While we can’t take credit for the famous cookie’s origin, there’s no doubt that peanut butter blossoms have become a staple for bakers and chocolate lovers alike.
But how did it all get started? And what new blossom cookie recipes are out there today? You’ll be ready to hop into the kitchen and whip up a batch of blossoms — and some sweet memories — by the end of this article!
The History of HERSHEY'S KISSES Peanut Butter Blossoms
Who Invented HERSHEY'S KISSES Peanut Butter Blossoms?
In 1957, an amateur baker named Freda Smith entered an annual national bake-off, submitting a peanut butter cookie topped with a single HERSHEY’S KISSES Chocolate. While it didn’t win the grand prize, it was a popular runner-up, garnering multiple accolades, and was later published in a series of cookbooks. In the following years to come, this cookie showed up in homes all over, year after year, especially during the holidays.
So, the peanut butter blossom wasn’t invented by a world-renowned baker. Just someone having fun in her own kitchen, using the ingredients she happened to have in her pantry! What ingredients will inspire you today?
How did Peanut Butter Blossoms get so popular?
There’s no single reason this simple cookie became so popular. Maybe it’s because peanut butter and chocolate is a magical combination. Or perhaps the inspiration that it was made almost by accident by getting creative in the kitchen. Either way, HERSHEY’S KISSES Peanut Butter Blossoms are super easy to whip up and taste like a winning treat.
What's the Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe?
Sampled a few over the years but haven’t made these yourself yet? You’re in luck because they’re delicious and simple, whether you try our from-scratch Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe or the Easy Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe using ready-to-bake peanut butter cookie mix.
What's Your Blossom Cooking Baking Tradition?
HERSHEY’S KISSES Peanut Butter Blossoms have made their way into our homes and hearts as a seasonal tradition and an everyday treat. These delicious cookies are a way to slow down and spend quality time with the ones we love. Here are a few ideas on how to make these moments extra special.
- Kids get to add the finishing touch. While the entire process is a fun way to bond with your family, the best part is getting to top each treat with a HERSHEY’S KISSES Chocolate. Let the kids take turns doing the honors.
- Choose a special day or holiday. Like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or a birthday, maybe these cookies come around only once a year. It’ll make every bite that much more special!
- Have a blossom bake-off. Get creative with your loved ones and host your own blossom cookie contest with a variety of blossom recipes. But with tastes like these, everyone’s a winner!
New Blossom Cookie Recipes to Try
Looking for something new for your holiday cookie tray? While you can’t go wrong with the original, it’s always fun to explore new recipes and additions. Switch up the classic peanut butter cookie with chocolate or try a unique HERSHEY’S KISSES Candy topper! Here are some of our favorite spins on the classic blossom cookie:
1. HERSHEY'S KISSES Sugar Cookie Blossoms
This recipe makes holiday cookies even cookie-r with creamy, crunchy HERSHEY’S KISSES Sugar Cookie Flavored Candies. Each blossom is made with sugar cookie dough, rolled in festive sugar crystals, then topped with a white creme treat. Share your batches at holiday parties, cookie exchanges or with the big guy in red.
Tip: Swap the HERSHEY’S KISSES Sugar Cookies Candies with HERSHEY’S KISSES COOKIES ‘N’ CREME Candies for an anytime-of-year delight!
2. HERSHEY'S KISSES Chocolate Blossoms
This twist on the classic cookie is the perfect nut-free option for a party and doubles the chocolaty fun! Simply mix HERSHEY’S Cocoa into ready-to-bake sugar cookie mix to create your chocolate cookie base.
Tip: Make these two-toned treats using a mix of HERSHEY’S HUGS & KISSES Milk Chocolates.
3. HERSHEY'S KISSES Candy Cane Blossoms
You know it’s the holidays when you find red-and-white striped candy and decorations everywhere you go. HERSHEY’S KISSES Candy Cane Flavored Candies capture the flavor of a peppermint stick in a small, creamy bite. These blossoms have a pop of color because their sugar cookie base is rolled in green and red decorator’s sugar. When you’re finished, you and your family can enjoy a festive treat with the minty flavor everyone loves during the holidays.
Tip: Save a bag of HERSHEY’S KISSES Candy Cane Flavored Candies for Valentine’s Day and re-create with pink, purple or red sugar instead!
4. HERSHEY'S KISSES Hot Cocoa Blossoms
These blossoms taste just like a warm cup of cocoa thanks to a rich chocolate cookie base and gooey marshmallow middle. The candy on top is actually a HERSHEY’S KISSES Hot Cocoa Candy featuring a milk chocolate shell and marshmallow creme center.
Tip: When the marshmallow is gooey and the chocolate is melty, add some graham cracker crumbles for a S’mores twist!
5. Tiny Peanut Butter Blossoms with HERSHEY'S MINI KISSES Candies
Get ready for pint-sized perfection. It’s the same Peanut Butter Blossom recipe you know and love, but ready to be enjoyed in just one bite. The cookie is tinier and instead of HERSHEY’S KISSES Candies, top these mini morsels with HERSHEY’S MINI KISSES Milk Chocolates.
Tip: Bake these for sharing at a big gathering. Because they’re so small, this recipe yields 14 dozen treats!
