I don’t know that there is a more classic Christmas cookie than Peanut Butter Blossoms. I made them every Christmas in the kitchen with my mom for as long as I can remember. We’d often have cookie making parties where my Aunt Rose would come over, along with her brood of boys – and we’d all make cookies. Those are some of my favorite Christmas memories!
Hershey’s contacted me a couple of weeks ago, and offered to send me a Holiday baking pack. Free chocolate? How could I resist? It arrived last week, filled with lots of goodies. I couldn’t wait to start my Christmas baking! Monday night was our small town’s Christmas parade, so my mom came up and we baked these cookies with the boys before the parade started. They had so much fun helping to roll the balls of dough in the sugar before baking. And, what joy to carry that tradition along to our own little family unit!
Peanut Butter Blossoms
48 Hershey’s Kisses chocolates
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
granulated or sprinkling sugar, for rolling
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Remove wrappers from chocolate kisses.
In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine, and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars until fluffy. With mixer running on low, add the egg, milk, and vanilla. Mix to combine. Slowly add in the flour, and mix until combined.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in sugar and place on an un-greased cookie sheet.
Bake 8-10 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from oven and immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie. Remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Source: adapted from The Hershey Company
Hershey’s Cookie Headquarters has graciously offered to share a baking pack with one of our readers, to help kick-start their holiday baking this year. Just leave a comment with your favorite thing to make or bake with Hershey’s chocolate during the holiday season! Cookies? Cocoa? So many possibilities! The prize pack includes:
1 Hershey’s Cookie Headquarter Apron
1 pkg. Hershey’s Baking Melts Chocolates
1 pkg. Hershey’s Bits ‘o’ Brickle® Toffee Chips
1 pkg. Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 pkg. Hershey’s Kisses Chocolates
1 canister Hershey’ Baking Cocoa
1 set of recipe cards featuring Hershey’s holiday recipes
To enter, please answer the following question in a comment: What is your favorite thing to bake with Hershey’s during the holiday season? Deadline to enter is Monday December 3, 2012 at midnight EST. US residents only, please.
Giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Entry #17 – Jenny, who said “Is there anything that I don’t love using Hershey’s chocolate in?! If I had to pick one recipe though… I love making flourless chocolate cakes using Hershey’s Special Dark chips. Divine!”
Thanks to all who entered, and Hershey’s for sponsoring the giveaway!