Valentine’s Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies: A Classic Love-Filled Treat

by
Valentine's Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
Table of Contents: Valentine’s Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Chewy peanut butter cookies hugging heart-shaped chocolate kisses—the homemade gift that stole hearts since 1957. Perfect for bakers craving nostalgia or creating new family traditions.

When February rolls around, nothing captures the spirit of Valentine’s Day quite like a batch of freshly baked Valentine’s Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies. These charming treats—with their golden crinkled edges and decadent chocolate centers—have been a holiday staple since their invention by Freda Smith in Ohio. But what makes this version extra special? We’ve swapped traditional Hershey’s Kisses for Dove milk chocolate hearts, creating a romantic twist that’s perfect for gift boxes, school parties, or cozy date nights.

Whether you call them peanut butter blossom cookies, Hershey kiss cookies, or Valentine’s M&M blossoms (if you opt for festive candies), their magic lies in the contrast of textures: crisp sugar-coated exteriors give way to soft, peanutty interiors that cradle melty chocolate. And here’s the best part—this recipe uses pantry staples like Skippy creamy peanut butter and simple techniques, making it ideal for bakers of all levels needing a last-minute treat that looks like it took hours.

By Any Other Name: Recipe Variations

These cookies go by many aliases! Try these popular twists:

  • Hershey Kiss Cookies (using classic milk chocolate kisses)
  • Valentine’s M&M Blossoms (press red/pink M&Ms into warm cookies)
  • Dark Chocolate Blossoms (swap in Ghirardelli squares)

Gathering Love: Ingredients List

Valentine's Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies ingredients
Fig.1 – Valentine’s Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

For the Peanut Butter Cookies:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup Skippy creamy peanut butter (see FAQ for substitutes)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 whole large egg, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder

Extras:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
  • 22-24 Dove milk chocolate hearts or Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped)

Step-by-Step: Crafting Edible Valentines

  1. Cream the Base: Beat butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy (3 mins). Add egg; mix until smooth.
  2. Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Gradually blend into wet mix until no streaks remain.
  3. Chill: Wrap dough in plastic; refrigerate 1 hour (prevents spreading).
  4. Preheat & Prep: Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour 1 cup sugar into a shallow bowl.
  5. Shape & Roll: Scoop 1-tbsp dough balls; roll in sugar. Place 2″ apart on parchment-lined sheets.
  6. Bake: 8-10 minutes until edges golden. Chef Tip: Underbake slightly for chewier centers!
  7. Press Chocolates: Immediately firm a chocolate heart into each cookie’s center. Cool completely on wire racks.

Valentine’s Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies At a Glance

Prep Time: 15 mins | Chill Time: 1 hour | Cook Time: 10 mins | Total: 1 hour 25 mins
Servings: 24 cookies | Calories: ~145 per cookie

Why This Recipe Works: Secrets to Success

The magic lies in the balance of leavening agents—baking soda for spread, baking powder for lift—and using full-fat creamy peanut butter, which binds the dough without making it greasy. For pro-level results:

  • Use a #40 cookie scoop (1.5 tbsp) for uniform baking
  • Always unwrap chocolates before baking to avoid frantic scrambling
  • Chill dough 1 hour minimum! This prevents “pancake cookies”

Keeping the Love Fresh: Storage & Freezing

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To freeze, arrange unbaked dough balls on a tray; freeze solid before transferring to bags. Bake directly from freezer, adding 1-2 mins to bake time. Already baked? Freeze without chocolate; add hearts after thawing and reheating 5 mins at 350°F.

People Also Ask: Troubleshooting Your Blossoms

Valentine's Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies FAQs
Fig.2 – Valentine’s Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Why Are My Peanut Butter Blossoms Falling Apart?

Crumbly cookies usually stem from over-measuring flour or undermixing. Spoon flour into your measuring cup (don’t scoop!), and level with a knife. If dough feels dry, add 1 tsp milk. Also, cooling cookies 2 minutes on sheets before moving firms them up.

Do You Press the Chocolate in Before or After Baking?

Always press chocolates immediately after baking—while cookies are hot enough to soften the base but cool enough to hold shape. Press until the chocolate “bloom” slightly cracks the surface.

How Do You Keep the Hershey’s Kiss From Melting?

Work fast! Place chocolates within 60 seconds of pulling trays from the oven. If your kitchen is warm, freeze unwrapped chocolates 10 minutes beforehand. The residual cookie heat will melt them just enough to adhere without losing shape.

What Is the Best Peanut Butter for Cookies?

Stick with no-stir creamy peanut butter like Skippy or Jif. Natural varieties separate and can ruin texture. For nuttier depth, use 1/4 cup crunchy PB mixed with 1/4 cup creamy—just ensure total PB equals 1/2 cup.

The Sweetest Conclusion

In a world of fleeting trends, Valentine’s Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies remain an edible hug—one that says “you’re cherished” in every bite. Bake a batch tagged #CrystalRecipesValentines on Instagram, or better yet, leave a loaf of them anonymously on a neighbor’s porch. After all, as the great cookie philosopher Cookie Monster once mused, “Love is sharing your last blossom.”

You Might Also Like:

Find Us On Pinterest and Facebook.

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
Valentine's Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Valentine’s Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

  • Author: Crystal
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x

Description

These heartwarming peanut butter blossoms are perfect for Valentine’s Day! Soft peanut butter cookies topped with a Hershey’s Kiss or festive M&Ms create a sweet treat that’s impossible to resist. Share these lovingly crafted blossoms with your special someone for a homemade Valentine’s surprise!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 24 Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped) OR Valentine’s M&Ms
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl.
  3. In large bowl, cream butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Beat in egg and vanilla until fully incorporated.
  5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
  6. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll in granulated sugar.
  7. Place cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges are golden.
  8. Immediately press chocolate or candy into center of each cookie. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes

Tips: For uniform cookies, use a cookie scoop. Substitutions: Use dark chocolate kisses or Reese’s Pieces for variety. Storage: Keep in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: B
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 138
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Sodium: 85mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 16g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 12mg

Keywords: peanut butter blossom recipe, valentine’s m&m blossoms, hershey kiss cookies