Ingredients

1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 c. butter, softened 

1/2 c. smooth peanut butter

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/4 c. granulated sugar, plus more for rolling

1 egg

2 tbsp. milk

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Hershey Kisses

Preparation

Step 1Preheat oven to 375° and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In small bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt until combined. Step 2In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add sugars and beat until light in color and fluffy. Beat in egg, then add milk and vanilla and mix until combined. Gradually add flour mixture, stirring on low, until just combined. Step 3Roll a tablespoonful of cookie dough into a ball, then roll in sugar. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough, spacing cookies at least 2” apart. Step 4Bake until cookies have poofed and no longer look raw, about 8 to 10 minutes. (They won’t brown!)Step 5Immediately top with Hershey Kisses before serving.

A Brief History of Peanut Butter Blossoms Apparently, a woman by the name of Mrs. Freda F. Smith from Ohio developed the recipe for The Grand National Pillsbury Bake-Off competition in 1957. She lost, but her cookies became legendary. Particularly after Pillsbury instated the Bake-Off Hall of Fame and ranked her recipe 7th on the list. Also included: French Silk Chocolate Pie.  Butter vs. Shortening Pillsbury and Hershey call for 1/2 cup shortening. Others call for 1/2 cup softened butter. Because shortening is 100% fat without any water to increase gluten production, cookies made with Crisco tend to be softer. However, you can use them interchangeably without noticing any crazy differences.  Peanut Butter Warning These aren’t healthy. They’re festive holiday cookies. Don’t use the natural stuff that you need to refrigerate. Use the super creamy kind—preferably the kind that comes in a teal blue jar and rhymes with hippie.  Bake Time Notes—You’re NOT Looking For Color Trust me, these only need 8 minutes in the oven—10 maximum. The bottoms will not brown, and the cookies will set up as they cool at room temperature.  The Kisses! You might want to unwrap your Hershey’s kisses first. Since the cookies hardly take any time to bake, you need to top them IMMEDIATELY if you want the candies to stay on.  Will they freeze well? Yes! They will last for 2 to 3 days at room temperature, but their texture is best the day you bake them. Freezing them and storing them in an air-tight container or resealable plastic bag is the best way to make them ahead of time.  For more festive baking inspiration, check out our easy Christmas cookie recipes.