3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms

If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing cookie recipe that doesn’t require a lot of ingredients, look no further than these 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms. These cookies are soft, chewy, and full of peanut butter flavor, with the added bonus of a Hershey’s Kiss on top. The simple combination of creamy peanut butter, sugar, and an egg makes for a quick dough that comes together effortlessly. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just looking for a simple treat, this recipe is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

1 cup creamy peanut butter
Use classic creamy peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy for the best consistency. Creamy peanut butter blends smoothly into the dough and creates a soft, chewy texture. Avoid natural peanut butter as it can be too oily and affect the consistency of the dough.
1 cup granulated sugar
This sugar not only adds sweetness but also helps create a slight crispness on the outside of the cookies. It balances perfectly with the peanut butter flavor.

1 large egg
The egg helps bind the dough and adds structure to the cookies, ensuring they hold their shape during baking.
Optional:
20-24 Hershey Kisses (unwrapped)
These iconic chocolate kisses are pressed into the center of each cookie after baking, adding a sweet, melty finish to each bite. You can use milk chocolate Kisses or try different variations like dark chocolate or caramel-filled Kisses for a fun twist.

Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
This is the perfect temperature to get the cookies golden brown and slightly crisp around the edges, while staying soft in the center.

Prepare your baking sheet.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This step is crucial as it prevents the cookies from sticking and helps them bake evenly. It also makes cleaning up afterward much easier!

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, granulated sugar, and egg.
Use a spoon, hand mixer, or stand mixer on low speed to mix the ingredients together. Beat until the dough is smooth and well-incorporated. This will take about 1-2 minutes. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure all the ingredients are fully blended.
The dough will be thick but pliable. If it seems a little too sticky, you can refrigerate it for 15 minutes to firm it up before shaping. However, most of the time, it should be manageable without refrigeration.

Step 3: Shape the Cookies

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. This ensures uniform cookies that will bake at the same rate. You can use a cookie scoop to make this step easier and get evenly sized dough balls.
Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. The cookies will spread as they bake, so leaving enough space between them is key to preventing them from touching.
If you want to add a little extra sweetness and texture, roll the dough balls in additional granulated sugar before placing them on the baking sheet. This step adds a nice sparkle to the cookies and a bit of extra crunch.

Step 4: Bake and Add the Kisses

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. You want them to be golden brown on the edges but still soft in the center. Keep a close eye on them to avoid overbaking.
Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. As the cookies are still soft and warm, the Kiss will melt slightly and create a delicious gooey center. The cookie may crack a little around the edges—this is perfectly normal and gives them a homemade look.
Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to cool slightly before transferring them to a wire rack. This gives them time to set and firm up.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

After the initial 2-minute cooling period, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and texture as they finish cooling.
Serve and enjoy! These cookies are best enjoyed when they’ve cooled to room temperature, though they’re also delicious warm with a melty Hershey Kiss on top.

Tips for Success:

Peanut Butter Choice:
Use creamy peanut butter (not natural or chunky) to ensure the dough has the right texture. Natural peanut butter can be too oily, which might cause the dough to spread too much during baking.

Hershey Kisses:
Unwrap the Hershey Kisses before you start baking, so they are ready to press into the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven. You can also experiment with different types of Kisses like dark chocolate, almond-filled, or caramel-filled Kisses for added variety.
Don’t Overmix the Dough:
Since this dough is so simple, it’s easy to overmix. Be sure to mix the ingredients just until they’re combined, and don’t overwork the dough. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Baking Sheet Tips:
If your baking sheet is too hot from a previous batch, the dough may start to spread too much before baking. Let the sheet cool slightly, or chill it in the freezer for a few minutes between batches.

Storage:
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They stay fresh and chewy when kept in a sealed container. You can also freeze the cookies for up to 3 months. Just make sure to place parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking.
Optional Topping:
For an extra special touch, drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies or sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt for a sweet-salty contrast.

These 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms are the perfect combination of soft, chewy cookies and melty chocolate. With minimal ingredients, they’re a breeze to whip up for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday, a bake sale, or just an everyday treat. Your friends and family will love them, and they’ll be amazed at how easy they are to make! 🍪✨