I am a word collector. Quotes, inspirational sayings, prayers, poems, old samples of handwriting, and, you guessed it…recipes.
This recipe comes from a student’s mom from long ago, and the actual recipe card is a type written paper circa 1998. That’s not an “old” recipe, but it’s old when I consider who I was when it was given to me, newly married, no kids, transplanted from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania. Some things do seem like relics, even if they are under twenty years old.
I am also not always the neatest cook, so occasionally my recipes look like they have seen better days. This recipe, which has served almost two decades of baking, is worse for wear. However, I still use it every time.
Back to the quintessential combination of peanut butter and chocolate. I have to say, these are one of my favorite cookies – there is something about the crackle of the cookie and the soft melty Hershey kiss. These also happen to be favorites of two of my favorite men, so that makes it a regular rotation in the baking schedule.
I have seen the recipe two ways, one is where you roll the dough directly in sugar, and this way- where you dip the dough ball in egg white first, then sugar. I do it this way, because I love the crackle the egg white finish gives to the cookie when you smoosh the kiss in. (Smoosh is a word, right?)
No matter the condition of the recipe card, the cookies are delicious and the words remind me of the student who sat in my classroom so many years ago. She’s a momma now, no doubt making these cookies for her little boy too.
In this week of being thankful for so many, I am so happy that this mindset of gratitude is something I embraced so many years ago. We treat each day as a gift. Which is what it is. When I see a post from six years ago, I realize the a gratitude mindset has been the healthiest part of my life. It makes you realize all that you do have, and see the world through a much different lens. So, make these cookies, and be thankful.
I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table!
Chrissy
Peanut Blossom Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies with a Hershey Kiss Center
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Shortening
- 1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 2 Tablespoons Milk
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 3/4 Cups Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- Egg White (for rolling before rolling in sugar)
- 1 Bag of Hershey’s kisses, unwrapped
Instructions
- Cream together shortening and peanut butter.
- Add in sugars until light and fluffy
- Add Egg and vanilla and combine.
- Add two teaspoons of milk.
- Add dry ingredients and gradually mix.
- Dough can be refrigerated or used immediately. If you choose to chill, chill for two hours or overnight.
- Shape dough into balls.
- Dip dough balls into egg white, then roll in sugar. (You can skip egg white, but it gives the “crackle” finish.
- Bake at 325* for 10-12 minutes.
- Remove from oven and place Hershey kiss directly in the center, squishing down the middle and causing the cookie to “crackle.”