Peanut Butter & Chocolate Kiss Delights

The Enduring Charm of Classic Holiday Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

There’s a reason why Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies hold a special place in so many hearts, especially during the festive season. For many, these chewy, tender peanut butter delights, each finished with a perfect Hershey’s Kiss, are the epitome of Christmas baking. They evoke cherished memories of holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, and the simple joy of sharing homemade treats with loved ones. Their classic appeal and comforting flavors make them an essential part of any holiday spread, a timeless tradition that continues to bring smiles year after year.

Bake with Confidence: The Fail-Proof Peanut Butter Kiss Cookie Recipe

One of the greatest attributes of these delightful cookies is their incredible simplicity. Amidst the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, when distractions are plentiful, you need a reliable recipe that delivers consistent results. These Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies fit the bill perfectly. They are wonderfully hard to mess up, making them an ideal choice for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros who appreciate a straightforward approach.

The magic lies in their uncomplicated ingredients and forgiving nature. The dough comes together easily, and shaping the cookies is a fun activity that even little helpers can enjoy. And the presentation? Always spot on! That glossy Hershey’s chocolate kiss nestled atop a beautifully crackled, soft peanut butter cookie is pure perfection. They’re not just delicious; they’re a feast for the eyes, guaranteed to impress on any cookie platter. We love adding them alongside other festive favorites like Candy Cane Cookies, rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls, and festive Christmas Sugar Cookies to create the ultimate holiday assortment. These Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies ensure your holiday baking is not just successful, but truly joyful.

Peanut Butter Choices: Can You Use Natural Peanut Butter in Kiss Cookies?

While the classic Peanut Butter Kiss Cookie recipe typically calls for processed creamy peanut butter, you absolutely can experiment with natural peanut butter. However, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly:

• Texture Matters: Natural peanut butter often has a runnier, looser consistency compared to its processed counterpart. This can affect the dough’s texture and how the cookies spread. To counteract this, try to keep your natural peanut butter chilled in the refrigerator for as long as possible before you begin baking. This helps it firm up. Also, remember to stir it really well before measuring to ensure the oil is fully incorporated and you get a consistent measurement. Alternatively, opt for a “no-stir” natural creamy peanut butter, which is specially formulated to have a thicker, more stable consistency, much like traditional peanut butter, making it ideal for baking.
• Adjusting Salt Content: Many natural peanut butters are unsalted, or have a significantly lower salt content than processed brands. Salt plays a crucial role in balancing the sweetness of your cookies and enhancing the overall flavor. If your natural peanut butter is unsalted, you may need to increase the amount of kosher salt called for in the recipe slightly, typically by an extra 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon, to achieve that perfect sweet-and-salty balance.
• Sweetness Levels: Natural peanut butter is also typically unsweetened. This means the final product might not be as sweet as you expect if you’re accustomed to the sugary kick of processed peanut butter. Don’t hesitate to taste your dough (before adding eggs!) and adjust the amount of granulated or brown sugar to match your preferred level of sweetness. A little extra sugar can go a long way in achieving that familiar, comforting flavor.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can successfully adapt this recipe to use natural peanut butter and still create delicious Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies that everyone will love.

Gather Your Ingredients and Supplies for Perfect Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Baking these delightful Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies requires just a handful of common pantry staples and basic kitchen equipment. Preparing everything in advance will make the baking process smooth and enjoyable. (For precise measurements and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.)

Essential Ingredients:

• Unsalted Butter, softened: Crucial for the cookie’s texture and flavor. Ensure it’s at room temperature for optimal creaming.
• Creamy Peanut Butter (any no-stir variety works best): The star ingredient, providing that beloved nutty flavor and chewy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Used in the dough for sweetness and for rolling the cookie balls, creating a delightful sugary crust.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor, contributing to the cookies’ chewiness.
• Large Egg: Acts as a binder, helping to hold the cookies together and providing structure.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie dough.
• Baking Soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and spread, contributing to their soft texture.
• Baking Powder: Another leavening agent that works with baking soda to give the cookies their characteristic crackled tops.
• Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors in the cookie.
• Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate candies, unwrapped: The iconic topping that makes these cookies so special. Unwrapping them beforehand saves time!

Necessary Supplies:

• Stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment: Makes quick work of mixing the dough. A hand mixer can also be used.
• Baking sheets: You’ll need at least two, or plan to bake in batches.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and ensures even baking, making cleanup a breeze.
• Shallow bowl: For rolling the cookie dough in granulated sugar.
• 1-tablespoon cookie scoop (optional but recommended): Ensures uniform cookie size for even baking.
• Wire racks: For cooling the cookies completely after baking.

• Prepare for Rolling: Pour the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar into a shallow bowl. This sugar will create the beautiful glistening crust on your cookies.
• Shape and Sugar Coat: Using a 1-tablespoon-size cookie scoop or your hands, shape the cookie dough into uniform balls. Roll each ball thoroughly in the granulated sugar, ensuring it’s evenly coated. This step not only adds sweetness and texture but also contributes to the signature crackled appearance of the cookies. Place the sugared dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets to allow for proper spreading.
• Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. The cookies are ready when the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers still look slightly soft. It’s important not to overbake them if you want that classic chewy texture. For even baking, rotate your pans halfway through, at around the 5-minute mark.
• Press in the Kisses: This step is critical! As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, immediately press one unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss firmly into the center of each warm cookie. The residual heat from the cookies will slightly melt the chocolate, allowing it to adhere perfectly and create that iconic soft chocolate center. If you wait too long, the cookies will set, and the Kisses won’t stick properly.
• Cool Completely: Carefully transfer the hot cookies to wire racks to cool completely. This allows the cookies to set and the chocolate kisses to firm up again. Resist the urge to eat them too soon, as they taste best when fully cooled and the chocolate has reset.

Preserving Freshness: How to Store Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

To ensure your delicious Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies stay fresh and delightful for as long as possible, proper storage is key. Whether you plan to enjoy them in a few days or save them for a later treat, here’s how to store them effectively:

Storing at Room Temperature:

• Once completely cooled, store your Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help maintain their chewiness and prevent them from drying out.
• For best quality, consume these cookies within 3 to 5 days. After a few days, the chocolate kisses might develop a slight bloom (a whitish film), but they are still perfectly safe and delicious to eat.

Freezing Baked Cookies:

• Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for advance preparation or enjoying later.
• First, ensure the cookies are entirely cool. Any lingering warmth can create condensation and lead to freezer burn.
• Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. This prevents them from sticking together.
• Once firm, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer baggie. For extra protection and to prevent crushing, you can place pieces of parchment paper between layers of cookies.
• Alternatively, wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe container or baggie. This method offers maximum protection against freezer burn.
• Baked cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months without a significant loss in quality.
• To enjoy from frozen: When you’re ready for a treat, simply unwrap the desired number of cookies (if individually wrapped) or remove them from the container. Arrange them in a single layer on a serving platter and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Allow them to defrost at room temperature for a few hours until they are soft and ready to enjoy.

Plan Ahead: How to Freeze Peanut Butter Cookie Dough

Freezing cookie dough is a fantastic time-saver, especially during busy holiday seasons. It allows you to whip up fresh, warm cookies on demand, with minimal effort. Peanut Butter Kiss Cookie dough freezes beautifully and can be stored for up to 3 months, ready for baking at a moment’s notice.

Freezing Dough Balls:

• This is the most convenient method for freezing, as it allows you to bake just a few cookies at a time.
• Prepare the cookie dough as directed in the recipe, shaping it into 1-tablespoon-size balls and rolling them in granulated sugar.
• Place the sugared cookie dough balls in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Freeze the dough balls for approximately 1 hour, or until they are firm. This “flash freezing” prevents them from sticking together.
• Once firm, transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer baggie. Label with the date and baking instructions.
• Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To bake from frozen: There’s no need to thaw! Simply place the frozen dough balls on a prepared baking sheet and bake as directed in the recipe, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time if necessary.

Freezing Unformed Dough:

• If you’re short on freezer space for a baking sheet, or prefer to form your cookies fresh, you can freeze the dough directly after mixing.
• After combining all the ingredients, transfer the unformed cookie dough to a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag.
• Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To bake from unformed dough: Defrost the frozen dough in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, proceed with the recipe as directed: shape into balls, roll in sugar, and bake.

Having frozen cookie dough on hand is a game-changer for spontaneous baking, unexpected guests, or simply satisfying a cookie craving whenever it strikes!

Discover More Festive Christmas Cookies to Brighten Your Holiday Season

Ready to elevate your holiday cookie game? Whether you’re participating in a lively cookie exchange or looking for the perfect homemade gifts for neighbors and friends, we’ve got you covered. These Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies are just the beginning! Explore our collection of The Best Christmas Cookies, designed to spread tons of cheer and make your holiday season extra sweet. You’ll find a variety of recipes, from classic cut-outs to unique and decadent treats, along with invaluable tips on how to host your very own successful Christmas cookie exchange party. Get ready to bake, share, and celebrate with the most delicious cookies of the year!

The Ultimate Holiday Centerpiece: Create a Stunning Christmas Tree Cookie Board

Looking for a show-stopping dessert for your holiday gathering? Our Christmas Tree Cookie Board is a magnificent display that’s as easy to assemble as it is delightful to devour! Imagine a beautiful assortment of holiday cookie favorites, artfully arranged in the shape of a festive Christmas tree, crowned with a bright red star cookie. This board thoughtfully combines both delicious store-bought treats and your homemade cookie masterpieces (like these Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies!) to create an impressive and utterly delicious centerpiece that everyone will adore. It’s the perfect way to offer variety and spread holiday cheer with minimal effort and maximum impact.