Baking Christmas cookies with my family is a favorite tradition during the holiday season. In addition to sugar cookies, I always bake peanut butter Kiss cookies each year. A peanut butter cookie rolled in sugar and topped with a chocolate Kiss just says Christmas to me. To make my peanut butter Kiss cookies even more festive, I even roll the uncooked dough in red and green colored sugar. I also sometimes use festive chocolate instead of plain Kisses such as the chocolate bells that I used one year.
The delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies fills the kitchen as my kiddos and I gather around to stick on chocolate Kisses and sneak tastes. The tradition extends beyond the baking process: the warmth of family, the spirit of giving, and the love that permeates the holiday season. As the cookies cool on the racks, anticipation builds for the moment when we can indulge in these delectable treats. This cherished tradition not only produces delicious cookies but also brings us closer, making each holiday season truly special.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of shortening or butter
- 3/4 cup of creamy peanut butter (190 grams)
- 1/3 cup plus extra of white sugar (67 grams)
- 1/3 cup of packed brown sugar (73 grams)
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour (188 grams)
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 48 chocolate Kisses
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375º.
- Unwrap the chocolate Kisses.
- Combine the shortening/butter and peanut butter in a large bowl with a mixer.
- Add the 1/3 cup of white sugar and brown sugar to the peanut butter mixture.
- Add the egg, milk, and vanilla to the peanut butter mixture.
- Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
- Shape the cookie dough into 1-inch balls.
- Roll the cookie dough balls in the extra sugar. (Use colored sugar for more festive cookies!)
- Place the sugared cookie dough balls on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven.
- Immediately press a chocolate Kiss into the centers of the baked cookies.
- Remove from the cookie sheet.
- Allow to cool.
- Store in an airtight container.
What yummy Christmas goodies are you baking this holiday season?
Image Credits
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe © 2012 Heather Johnson
Starting with Shortening for the Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies © 2012 Heather Johnson
Adding the Peanut Butter to the Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Dough © 2012 Heather Johnson
Mixing the Ingredients for the Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Dough © 2012 Heather Johnson
Adding the Sugar to the Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Dough © 2012 Heather Johnson
Adding the Brown Sugar to the Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Dough © 2012 Heather Johnson
Adding the Egg to the Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Dough © 2012 Heather Johnson
Whole Wheat Flour © 2012 Heather Johnson
Adding the Dry Ingredients to the Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Dough © 2012 Heather Johnson
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookie Dough © 2012 Heather Johnson
Red, White, and Green Sugar © 2012 Heather Johnson
Rolling the Dough Balls in Sugar © 2012 Heather Johnson
Baked Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies © 2012 Heather Johnson
Adding the Chocolate Kisses © 2012 Heather Johnson
Counter of Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies © 2012 Heather Johnson
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies © 2011 Heather Johnson
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies © 2012 Heather Johnson
