Thumbprint cookies are always a hit come Christmastime, and these dreamy, melt in your mouth peanut butter cookies with a kiss inside are no exception. If you’ve never made Thumbprint Hershey Kiss Cookies before, rest assured — they’re seriously easy from start to finish. These are the very best Hershey Kiss Cookies, and this recipe always yields a soft and chewy peanut butter cookie perfect for topping with a chocolate Hershey kiss!
Today, in addition to the best recipe for bite-sized, soft Thumbprint Hershey Kiss Cookies (also known as peanut butter blossoms) that yield the perfect cookie-to-kiss ratio, we’ll talk recipe basics, why you need to get that kiss on the cookie stat, and even how to freeze your Hershey Kiss Cookies!
COOKIES THAT BRING BACK MEMORIES
Doesn’t it seem that the best recipes are inspired by warm childhood memories and scents of home? The sweet scent of homemade peanut butter cookies wafting from an oven is unmistakable, and I knew when Grandma had a batch baking as soon as I walked through the door. She would pull them out, mark them decoratively with the tines of her fork, and dish them out with a generous smile.
Peanut butter cookies were a special treat. In our own home, mom was chocolate chip all the way, and truth be told, I’m all about the chocolate. So when I set out to make the world’s greatest homemade peanut butter cookie for my little at-home bakery (for more on that story, click here), there was no second-guessing — chocolate would most definitely be involved.
A BEST-SELLING COOKIE RECIPE
And, as it turned out, I was right to go the chocolate route: Thumbprint Hershey Kiss Cookies became a best-seller year after year. The combination of milk chocolate and peanut butter in a soft Thumbprint Hershey Kiss Cookie is irresistible, and the bites with the chocolate are always the best. Why not adjust the cookie-to-chocolate ratio just a tad, ensuring a taste of chocolate in every single bite.
HOW TO MAKE Thumbprint Hershey Kiss Cookies FROM SCRATCH
- Whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix wet ingredients: melted butter, brown and granulated sugar, peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients to wet.
- Scoop and bake.
- Add the Hershey Kisses as soon as they’re out of the oven!
1. WHISK TOGETHER DRY INGREDIENTS
Peanut butter cookies are a cinch to make from scratch. Just like most homemade drop cookies, you’ll first mix up your dry ingredients. The dry ingredients for these cookies is a simple mixture of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt.
2. MIX WET INGREDIENTS
Next, the wet ingredients come together. You could use either a stand mixer, a handheld mixer, or a good ol’ fashioned whisk to combine your wet ingredients. These cookies call for a combination of both granulated and light brown sugar, peanut butter, egg, and pure vanilla extract.
3. ADD DRY INGREDIENTS TO WET INGREDIENTS
The dry ingredients are gently mixed into the wet, taking care not to overmix, which would ultimately cause your cookie to be tough. And, come on — we all know cookies were not meant to be tough. Especially these cute, tiny little guys.
4. BAKE FOR 10 MINUTES
After the dough comes together, it’s time to scoop them on to the baking mat, transfer them to the oven, and enjoy one of the greatest scents known to man — freshly baked peanut butter cookies. Swoon.
WHAT MAKES THEM BITE-SIZED
To make the peanut butter cookies bite-sized, nothing really changes other than the size of the cookie dough ball. Rather than scooping out a whopping tablespoon worth of dough (used for most standard-sized cookies), I used a small cookie scoop that holds just under a tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Added bonus! Little cookies take less time to bake than bigger ones, meaning we can get to the good stuff faster. Score.
Note — if you want standard-sized cookies, you can easily do that with this recipe! Just scoop larger dough balls, and add 1-2 minutes to your bake.
5. ADD THE CHOCOLATE KISS
They wouldn’t be Thumbprint Hershey Kiss Cookies without the kiss, now would they? Plus, as we discussed earlier — the chocolate is kind of the best part.
Immediately after the cookies come out of the oven, the kiss should be planted firmly in the center. Have your kisses ready to go! The cookies are small and they set up fast. The quicker you get the Hershey Kisses on the cookies, the less likely you’ll end up with broken peanut butter cookie.
STORING YOUR HERSHEY KISS COOKIES
Store your Hershey Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Your cookies will stay fresh tasting for 4-5 days. If you’d like to enjoy your cookies for any length of time beyond this, you should consider freezing them.
HOW TO FREEZE HERSHEY KISS COOKIES
Hershey Kiss Cookies freeze beautifully, and all you need to do to freeze them is allow them to cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight, freezer-safe container or a freezer-safe zip-top, gallon-sized bag.
If using a container, try to use one that houses the cookies snugly, but not such a tight fit that they are crammed to the point of breaking. If using a zip-top bag, be sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing.
MORE COOKIE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies feature everything you know and love about classic, bakery-style peanut butter cookies, only made better thanks to the addition of melty chocolate chips.
- Peanut Butter Cookies Dipped in Chocolate not only make for a decadent snack, they are the all-time, ultimate homemade gift for the peanut butter lover!
- Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are thick, soft, and practically melt in your mouth with every single bite!
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are made with old-fashioned oats, chocolate chips, and (surprise) vanilla pudding! It’s the secret ingredient that keeps these cookies decadently moist and addictively yummy!
- Ginger Molasses Cookies are a classic cookie full of warm and cozy spices and makes a beautiful and heartfelt holiday gift!
- Chocolate Drop Cookies are every chocoholic’s dream: Full of chocolate, soft, gooey, and easy to make!
- Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting are another classic cookie you just can’t go wrong with. The perfect, buttery sugar cookie, topped with a homemade frosting. Everyone will rave over the taste and the look of these gorgeous cookies!
The bakery days are behind me, but I am most definitely still baking up this best-seller. It’s a simple recipe perfect for baking with kids, and my little girls love nothing more than to get into the kitchen and whip up a batch with me. Also, children make excellent Hershey Kiss “un-wrappers,” and you can totally pay them in chocolate. So there’s that.
Now, go ahead, have yourself a cookie — a soft, perfectly baked, full-flavored Thumbprint Hershey Kiss Cookies. You earned it. In fact, I think I’ll have one too. Enjoy!
The best recipe for bite-sized, soft Thumbprint Hershey Kiss Cookies, also known as peanut butter blossoms. The perfect cookie-to-kiss ratio!
- 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- About 60 unwrapped Chocolate Kisses
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Preheat oven to 350° and have ready a cookie sheet lined with a sheet of parchment paper or a Silpat.
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In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and sea salt. Set aside until ready to use.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix together butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and peanut butter on medium-high speed. If you don’t have a stand mixer, use a large mixing bowl and a handheld mixer.
Add the egg, followed by the vanilla extract. Add the flour with the mixer on low. Remove bowl from mixer and scrape the dough from the bottom, up and over the top. Return bowl to the mixer and mix on low 30 seconds more.
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Scoop out a scant tablespoon of dough and form into a ball. Place about 1” apart on parchment paper. Bake 10 minutes, remove from the oven and set atop a cooling rack.
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Place the chocolate kiss in the center of the cookie and apply gentle pressure to inset. Allow to cool 5-10 minutes, serve and enjoy.
Makes about 50 cookies.
Stine Mari
May 23, 2018 at 5:30 amThese are so cute! And I’m totally with you on making chocolate on every bite. I like peanut butter, but mostly only in combination with chocolate, or maybe caramel!
Kelly Anthony
May 24, 2018 at 1:50 amYes!!! Thank you, and I am right there with you, sister!
Jennifer
May 23, 2018 at 4:27 pmBite-sized peanut butter kiss cookies are perfect solution for me. I love them so. But, I have a small mouth and one cookie is way too big for me to eat at once, but then you’re left a lot of times with a crumbling cookie half hanging onto the kiss, half not.
Thanks! Love your site. Love the home bakery story 🙂
Kelly Anthony
May 24, 2018 at 1:51 amHi Jennifer!!! Thank you so much! I know exactly what you mean! These will be the perfect lil’ cookies for you
Sarah Newman
December 3, 2018 at 7:50 pmThese were always my favorite Christmas cookies as a kid! Brings back such great memories. I loved unwrapping all the kisses and putting them into the soft cookie!
Katie
December 3, 2018 at 8:56 pmThese are a classic! We always called them peanut butter blossoms growing up- and it was one we HAD to have every year 🙂
Bev
December 3, 2018 at 8:59 pmThese definitely bring back some good memories from childhood. I’ve never made them with peanut butter cookies but now I am so excited for the flavour combination! Thanks for another amazing recipe.
Jen
December 3, 2018 at 9:01 pmA holiday classic! I haven’t made these in years. You have inspired me to give them another go. Adding this recipe to my Christmas cookie list.
Gingey Bites
December 3, 2018 at 9:03 pmLove the story with this recipe, I always enjoy reading this type of thing, especially fond family cookery memories!
Kelly Anthony
December 4, 2018 at 12:30 amAw, thank you so much!!!
Marisa
December 3, 2018 at 9:10 pmYum! Loving the classic flavor combination in these cookies!
Kelly Anthony
December 4, 2018 at 12:30 amThank you so much, Marisa!
Valentina
December 3, 2018 at 9:51 pmYUM! I could probably eat a dozen of these in one sitting. I have a love-hate relationship with bite-sized goodies. I love that I can pop them right in my mouth and it’s not messy, but I tend to eat a million for the same reason, when they’re as deliciious as these cookies look, anyway.
Gloria
December 3, 2018 at 10:00 pmI remember making these when my kids were little. Always a hit with everyone. Perfect for the holiday tray. You can never go wrong with the classics this time of year.
Elaine Benoit
December 4, 2018 at 1:44 pmI remember making kiss cookies when I was a child but I haven’t made them in a long time! Your recipe and cookies look so delicious that I’m going to have to include them on my holiday cookie tray!
Jeannette
December 5, 2018 at 12:51 amThis is absolutely the best comfort cookie ever!!!!! I never mad them and wondered how the chocolate kiss never melted! My kids are going to love being a part of making these and being the “unwrappers”, LOL, like you said.
Aleta
December 5, 2018 at 4:37 amEEK these are too too cute! My little girls are going to love making these, I am adding them to our Christmas baking list for sure!
Cheese Curd In Paradise
December 6, 2018 at 4:33 pmThese are one of my favorite holiday cookies! They are always delicious and hit. Sometimes I like to make them with the Hugs!
Mirlene
December 6, 2018 at 7:31 pmIt is amazing how certain foods can make us forget we are adults and revert back to childhood. These cookies were always a hit growing up, and as an adult they still are. I am looking forward to sharing this experience with my children. I am looking forward to trying your recipe!
Veena Azmanov
December 6, 2018 at 9:40 pmOh, these are such a classic. Loved making these when we were kids. mom would give me to put the kisses on the cookies. So festive. Love how pretty these look
Maddy
December 7, 2018 at 12:25 amYUM! I love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate! I can’t wait to try! Thank you for the inspiration 🙂
Analida Braeger
December 7, 2018 at 12:28 amAhhh these cookies bring back so many memories. I remember my pre-peanut butter days when I would take the Hershey kiss and leave the cookie behind! Haha. Now I wholeheartedly embrace all the elements. Looking forwards to these.
Carrie Ditton
December 7, 2018 at 5:51 pmThese were always my favorite Christmas cookies to make with my kids! Brings back such great memories. They always loved unwrapping all the kisses and watching the soft cookie press down!!
April
December 7, 2018 at 8:36 pmHaha, I love absolutely everything about cookies-to-kiss! 🙂 And I think this recipe is just one of the best ones I have seen so far – loving it!
Amanda
December 8, 2018 at 12:22 pmI love how cute these are, and I’m always a fan of peanut butter and chocolate together. I’ll have to add these to my cookie list for the holidays!
Jacqueline Debono
December 8, 2018 at 2:29 pmI’ve never seen kiss cookies but these are so cute and I can imagine delicious too! Love that they are bite-sized!
Allison
December 8, 2018 at 4:56 pmI love this classic recipe. It’s a holiday go-to in my family!
Amanda Mason
December 8, 2018 at 11:46 pmThese are my FAVORITE cookies! Love this recipe! Made them and they are DELISH! Love the combo of peanut butter and chocolate! A perfect cookie exchange for Christmas!
Anna Hettick
December 9, 2018 at 4:28 pmYes! Such a classic but my kids LOVE to help me make these thumbprint cookies!
Saima
December 9, 2018 at 6:34 pmOOh! These mini cookies look so cute. They’re a classic for sure and your pictures make me want to go into my kitchen and start on them now! My kids love Hershey’s kisses and this is such a fun way to eat them!
Anne Lawton
December 9, 2018 at 7:34 pmThese cookies are one of my favorites during the holidays! Of course, who doesn’t love peanut butter and chocolate mixed together.
Amy
December 10, 2018 at 1:42 amThese were my favorite cookies growing up. Your recipe looks perfect!
Kelly Anthony
December 10, 2018 at 2:31 amThank you, Amy!
Jagruti Dhanecha
December 10, 2018 at 9:02 amOMG..these classic peanut butter cookies look so cute, such a fabulous recipe to keep for the holiday season.
Krista Price
December 10, 2018 at 2:21 pmThese cookies bring back so many childhood memories. My favorite part about baking Christmas cookies with my mom was decorating the gingerbread men and pressing the kiss into the thumbprint cookie! I’d probably eat the entire batch in one sitting!
Renu
December 10, 2018 at 2:25 pmWow they look so cute. I have heard about Thumbprint cookies just few months before and here I have a new way of using them along with the kisses. I am sure my kids would go mad at this along with me. Would just love munching this addictive cookies.
Natalie
December 10, 2018 at 3:00 pmThumbprint cookies were always one of my favorite holiday cookies, since I was a kid. Never tried peanut butter version and I loveeee peanut butter. So naturally now I need to give this a try. I bet these taste absolutely amazing. They sure look amazing to me.
Andrea
December 10, 2018 at 5:38 pmThey look absolutely perfect! They would make such a lovely holiday gift too!
Kari Heron
December 11, 2018 at 6:12 pmPeanut butter and chocolate? You got me! These thumbprints are adorable. I wish there was a dark hershey. DO you find these very sweet?
Chef Mireille
December 12, 2018 at 5:49 pmhershey kisses are one of my fave chocolate candies and I would love these cookies! they just scream YUM!!!
Stephanie Simmons
December 13, 2018 at 11:40 pmThese are a classic! I have fond memories of making these every Christmas with my mom! Her recipe always made 3-4 dozen – our kitchen counters would be completely filled with them!