Peanut Butter Blossoms

Well, I'm a little late with this one.  I was supposed to post these before Christmas, so those who were googling 'christmas cookie recipes' might find it.  Alas, I, as usual, didn't get everything done that I wanted to get done before the big day.  Better late than never though, right?

Actually, we'll just say that I'm way ahead of all the other bloggers out there in getting ready for Christmas 2013.  Yeah, that's it.  I'm so ahead of the game.  (Don't judge me, man.  I'm rationalizing here.  Anything to make me feel like less of a slacker!)  Or, just make them any time during the year because cookies awesome and they taste good.  No need for a holiday!

So, here they are.  Pretty little peanut butter blossoms.  We have made these for Christmas every year since I was a kid.  They're a favorite, for sure.  The peanut butter and chocolate combo is a no-brainer and just about no one can resist a cookie with a kiss on top!



Ingredients   yeilds about 4 dozen

• 48 Hershey's Kisses (You can buy them unwrapped!  Just look around the candy and baking sections at your grocery store.)
• ½ cup margarine, softened
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
• ⅓ cup sugar
• ⅓ cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cup flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• extra sugar for rolling the cookies in

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°.
2. Beat the margarine and peanut butter until blended.
3. Add the sugar and brown sugar and beat until fluffy.
4. Add the egg, milk and vanilla and beat well.
5. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt.  Beat it into the peanut butter mixture a little at a time until it's all incorporated.
6. Shape the dough into 1 inch balls.  Roll them in the extra sugar and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden.  Take them out of the oven and immediately press a Hershey's Kiss into the center of each cookie.  The cookie will crack around the edges.  
8. Cool the cookies on a wire rack until completely cooled. (The kisses will get really soft.  It will take a while for them to harden again!  Be patient!)

Notes

• Source:  Slightly adapted from a recipe by the folks that make Hershey's Kisses.