Homemade Hershey Kiss Peanut Butter Cookies

Are you ready to treat yourself to a delicious cookie that brings together classic flavors in a crunchy, chewy delight? Look no further than Hershey Kiss Peanut Butter Cookies! Imagine warm, soft peanut butter cookies topped with a smooth Hershey's Kiss. It's a tasty balance of textures and flavors that everyone will love. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced baker, these cookies are simple to make and will leave your friends and family craving more!

Tools You'll Need

Here are some kitchen tools I like to suggest for making these delicious cookies:

• Electric Mixer or Hand Mixer

• Light color baking sheet

• Parchment paper

• Bowl for Sugar

• Cookie Scoop

Recipe Questions

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, you may! Once cool, seal them in a container or freezer bag up to a month. To thaw, leave on your counter until room temperature - you may even lightly re-heat them for a warm and gooey finish.

Do I need to roll them in sugar?

Not at all! The sugar is completely optional and you may opt out of rolling your cookies in it.

How can I prevent the chocolate from melting too much?

Once your cookies are out of the oven, transfer to a cooling rack quickly. Then place your chocolate in the centers. Doing so while your cookies are in the oven can cause excess heat to melt the chocolate. It is normal for the bottoms to melt slightly.

Ingredients You'll Need

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ½ cup granulated sugar (plus more for rolling)

• ½ cup brown sugar, packed

• ½ tsp sea salt

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter

• 1 large egg

• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

• ½ tsp baking soda

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp milk

• 36 Hershey's Kisses, or your favorite chocolate, unwrapped

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, add your butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until creamy and fluffy.

3. Next add your vanilla, baking soda, egg, salt and milk until just combined.

4. Add in your flour and mix thoroughly until your dough has formed. It should resemble a thicker consistency, and not be wet or sticky.

5. Using a cookie scoop, scoop out roughly 1” balls and roll in granulated sugar until covered. Place on your baking sheet 2” apart.

6. Bake for 8-9 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden brown and look puffy. Remove cookies immediately from the pan onto a cooling rack and place a Hershey Kiss or your Chocolate of choice in each centers - pressing down until the cookies start to crack.

   
   

Tips for Success

• Don’t overbake: Watch your cookies closely while they bake. Overbaking can lead to dry cookies, which nobody wants.

  
  

• Experiment with Add-ins: Feel free to add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of sea salt on top for extra flavor. Studies show that a touch of salt enhances sweetness, making every bite even better.

  
  

• Store Properly: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, consider freezing them.

  
  

Creative Variations

Now that you know how to make the classic cookies, why not get creative? Here are some fun ideas:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Kisses

Love chocolate? Swap out half of the peanut butter for chocolate peanut butter. This simple change will give your cookies a rich, chocolatey depth that pairs beautifully with the Hershey's Kisses.

Seasonal Twists

Want to celebrate holidays with your treats? Use colored Hershey's Kisses for different occasions—red and green for Christmas, or pastel colors for Easter. You could also mix in spices like cinnamon for a lovely autumn treat.

Final Thoughts

Homemade Hershey Kiss Peanut Butter Cookies are a delicious treat that everyone will adore. They blend the beloved flavors of peanut butter and chocolate into an easy-to-make recipe that's ideal for any occasion.

Whether you're baking for family gatherings, holiday celebrations, or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, these cookies are guaranteed to impress. Don’t forget to share your baking adventures and maybe even add your unique spin to this recipe!