Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe

Soft & Sweet Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe for All

Sweet memories of childhood baking often revolve around these delightful peanut butter kiss cookies that spark joy in every bite.

Soft, chewy dough meets a perfect chocolate centerpiece for an irresistible treat.

Grandma’s classic recipe brings warmth to kitchen counters everywhere.

Chocolate kisses nestled atop rich, buttery cookies create an instant smile.

Baking these little gems requires minimal ingredients but delivers maximum happiness.

Quick to assemble and even faster to disappear, these cookies promise to become your new favorite dessert.

Gather your ingredients and let the magic of sweet nostalgia begin!

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Store in Layers

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Place cookies in a freezer-safe container, layered with wax paper, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
  • Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore softness and bring out the chocolate kiss's shine.
  • If cookies become slightly hard, add a slice of bread to the container overnight to help restore moisture and softness.

What Matches Kiss Cookies

  • Pair Sweet Milk with Cookies: Cold, creamy milk perfectly complements the rich peanut butter flavor, creating a classic childhood dessert experience that balances the cookie's sweetness.
  • Enhance with Chocolate Liqueur: For adult gatherings, a smooth chocolate liqueur adds sophisticated depth, echoing the chocolate kiss and highlighting the cookie's nutty undertones.
  • Match with Caramel Espresso: A small shot of caramel-infused espresso cuts through the cookie's richness, providing a delightful contrast and elevating the overall taste sensation.
  • Combine with Vanilla Ice Cream: Serve warm cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, where the cool creaminess melds beautifully with the cookie's warm, soft texture.

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Versions

  • Gluten-Free Version: Replace standard flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and ensure chocolate kisses are certified gluten-free for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Vegan Alternative: Substitute peanut butter with almond butter, use a flax egg instead of chicken egg, and select dairy-free chocolate kiss alternatives or vegan chocolate buttons.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reduce overall sugar quantity, and select dark chocolate kiss with minimal added sugars for health-conscious bakers.
  • Nut-Free Adaptation: Replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter, maintaining similar texture and providing safe option for those with nut allergies.

FAQs

  • How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping and baking. Cold dough helps cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading.

  • Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

Stick to traditional creamy peanut butter with stabilizers. Natural peanut butter can make the dough too oily and cause cookies to spread or become crumbly.

  • Why do I press the chocolate kiss into warm cookies?

The warm cookie helps the chocolate kiss melt slightly and adhere better to the cookie surface, creating a smooth, integrated look and slightly softened chocolate texture.

  • What's the best way to shape the cookie dough into balls?

Use clean hands and roll gently between your palms. If dough sticks, lightly dampen your hands with water or chill the dough for easier handling.

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies That Bring Back Memories

  • Quick and Easy Delight: Whip up these irresistible cookies in just 20 minutes with minimal ingredients and simple steps.
  • Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: Perfect for family baking sessions, these cookies let children help shape dough balls and press chocolate kisses into warm cookies.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Party Treat: Ideal for potlucks, holiday gatherings, and school bake sales, these classic peanut butter kiss cookies always bring smiles and disappear fast.
  • Minimal Ingredient Magic: Create delicious treats using just peanut butter, sugar, egg, and chocolate kisses, making it a pantry-friendly recipe that requires no special equipment.
Main Ingredients:
  • Peanut Butter, Sugar, Egg: Creamy peanut butter provides rich flavor, sugar adds sweetness, and egg helps bind the cookie dough together.
  • Chocolate Kisses: Classic milk chocolate kiss creates a delightful center for each cookie. Select unwrapped Hershey's Kisses for easy placement.
  • Baking Sheet: Flat surface for even cookie baking. Ungreased sheet works best to prevent sticking. Choose a light-colored metal baking sheet for consistent heat distribution.

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies – How to Make

Step 1: Prepare Workspace

Get your baking tools ready and set up your kitchen counter with all necessary equipment like mixing bowl, baking sheet, and wire rack.

Step 2: Create Cookie Mixture

Mix together in a bowl:
  • Smooth peanut butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Fresh egg

Blend ingredients until they form a consistent, creamy texture.

Step 3: Shape Delightful Dough Balls

Roll the mixture into small, round balls about the size of a walnut.

If the dough feels sticky, pop it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to firm up.

Step 4: Bake Golden Cookies

Place dough balls on an ungreased cookie sheet, keeping them evenly spaced.

Slide the sheet into a preheated oven at 350°F.

Bake until cookie edges look set and bottoms have a light golden color, approximately 10-12 minutes.

Step 5: Add Chocolate Kisses

Once cookies come out of the oven, immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each warm cookie.

The heat will help the chocolate slightly melt and stick perfectly.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack.

Allow them to cool completely so the chocolate kiss sets in place.

Serve and enjoy these sweet treats!

  • Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes if it's too sticky, making it simpler to roll into perfect balls.
  • Use creamy peanut butter for a consistent texture and easier mixing of ingredients.
  • Press chocolate kisses into cookies immediately after baking while they're still warm to help kisses adhere perfectly.
  • Allow ingredients like egg and peanut butter to sit at room temperature before mixing for smoother, more uniform dough.
  • Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent cookies from sticking and ensure easy removal.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 18 1x

Description

Sweet Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies bring classic holiday charm to cookie plates with rich, creamy peanut butter and chocolate kiss centers. Delightful morsels melt in your mouth, guaranteeing smiles and seconds at family gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup white sugar

Baking/Candy Additions:

  • 18 milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped

Instructions

  1. Combine granulated sugar, creamy peanut butter, and a single egg in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly until a smooth, uniform mixture forms.
  2. If the dough feels overly soft or sticky, place it in the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes to firm up and become more manageable.
  3. Gently roll the chilled dough into small, uniform spheres measuring roughly 1 inch in diameter, ensuring consistent sizing for even baking.
  4. Arrange the rounded dough balls on an unlined, clean baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to allow for minimal spreading during cooking.
  5. Transfer the cookie sheet to a preheated oven set at 350 degrees fahrenheit, allowing the cookies to bake for about 10 minutes until the edges appear lightly set and slightly golden.
  6. Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, while they remain warm and soft, delicately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie, creating a slight indentation.
  7. Allow the decorated cookies to cool completely on a wire cooling rack, permitting the chocolate kiss to set and the cookie base to stabilize at room temperature.

Notes

  • Keep dough chilled to prevent sticking and ensure easier handling during shaping.
  • Use room temperature ingredients for smoother, more consistent cookie texture.
  • Opt for natural peanut butter with minimal added sugar for a richer, less sweet flavor profile.
  • Consider using dark chocolate kisses for a slightly more sophisticated taste that balances the sweet cookie base.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 18
  • Calories: 139
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 36 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star