1 cup of granulated sugar

1 cup of packed brown sugar

1 cup of creamy peanut butter

1 cup of softened butter

2 eggs

3 cups of all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1 teaspoon of baking powder

Various small chocolates

   Peanut butter blossom cookies have always been a staple treat around the holidays. Whether you’re making them to leave out for Santa, bring to a holiday party, or just for yourself, you can’t go wrong with this delicious family recipe.

   First, heat the oven to 375°F. Do not grease the cookie sheet. Instead, trim a piece of parchment paper to line the bottom of the pan. If parchment or baking paper is unavailable, leave it as is. In a small bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder, then set aside. Combine sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, butter, and eggs in a large bowl. Do not mix with a spoon — knead the contents of the large bowl together by hand. Once the mixture is smooth, knead in the flour mixture you set aside earlier. All mixing must be done by hand.

   Form the dough into 1-inch balls and line the cookie sheet with each cookie 2 inches apart. Bake in the oven at 375°F for nine to twelve minutes or until the edges are a light golden brown. Always start with the lower end of the time scale (in this case, nine minutes) and then add time if needed. Immediately after baking, place a piece of chocolate into each cookie. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before removing them from the pan onto a cooling rack. 

   The choice of chocolate is solely based upon personal preference. The traditional pick is Hershey’s chocolate kisses. Reese’s peanut butter cups can also be used to add a richer flavor to the cookie. Their peanut butter taste ties in perfectly with the cookie’s creamy peanut butter flavor. Other options include rolos, chocolate chips, or no chocolate; these cookies are just as delicious without a chocolate topper if preferred that way. 

   Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies are perfect for any occasion. The cakey dough melts in your mouth, and chocolates get nice and soft after sitting in the warm cookies. This recipe allows you to take a traditional holiday treat and put your own spin on it to make it right for you.