Peanut Blossoms... with a Twist

12 Days of (Christmas) Cookies
Day 2

Peanut Blossoms... with a Twist
(Peanut Butter and Jelly Blossoms)

We have all enjoyed the peanut buttery, chocolaty goodness of the classic peanut blossom. This is by far my favorite peanut blossom recipe and I would love to share it with you. But, let me introduce you to one of my creations, the peanut butter and jelly blossom! There is only one additional ingredient but a whole new world of taste! You have to try it!

Ingredients:Yields 24 cookies

• 1/2 c unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 c creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 c packed brown sugar
• 1/2 c white sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 c all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Toppings

• 1/4 c white sugar, for rolling
• Hershey's chocolate kisses, unwrapped
• Optional: Raspberry preserves

Directions:

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and white sugar, until smooth.
• Beat in the egg. Stir in the milk and vanilla.
• In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture, until well blended.
• Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll in the 1/4 c sugar to coat. Place each dough ball 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes *(see note), or until the bottom edges just begin to brown (11 minutes exactly in my oven).
• If making PB&J version, immediately use a spoon to make a shallow, round indentation and add about 1 teaspoon of raspberry reserves. Then, press a Hershey's Kiss on top. Allow to cool completely.
• If not making the PB&J version, immediately press in a Hershey's Kiss in the center. Allow to cool completely.
• Enjoy!

*NOTE: For a Hershey's Kiss center that will maintain the shape of the kiss but stay soft, bake for 8 to 9 minutes, remove from the oven and immediately press on the toppings, and then bake for an addition 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. This is how I always do them.