Late last week, I had a problem. I was flipping through every recipe book I own, my favorite recipe websites, and other blogger’s pages in search of the perfect cookie to package up and send to my mom and mother-in-law for Mother’s Day. The fact that the cookies had to traverse cross-country and would be tossed around in a truck for a matter of days limited me greatly, but I was determined.If I could, I would have just had the moms over for a nice frittata, muffins and a cup of tea. Thing is, we live 3000 miles apart and that’s just not possible.
So, I thought. Sandwich cookies? No, too messy. Sugar cookies? No, the icing would melt, like, immediately. Macaroons? No, too delicate. Not to mention, I’m not even attempting that level of precision and difficulty when I just made my first real cookie a few months ago.
Then I came up with the best and worst possible idea: peanut butter chocolate kiss cookies. These cookies have been a family favorite of mine – and probably yours – for years. There’s nothing but good memories surrounding these little cuties. Plus, it wasn’t a scary new recipe that had failure potential – I know these cookies like the back of my hand. So, the next day, I cranked some music, tied on my apron and got to work. That night, I realized that chocolate should have been another on my list of must-not-make’s.
I had thought of a cookie that, once it arrived at its final destination, would be everything I was trying to avoid: messy, melty and delicate. As far as giving them for a gift goes, they wouldn’t have made a pretty picture after being rattled around in a box for three days. But, I don’t have to tell you how delicious these cookies are. It’s peanut butter and chocolate, a well-loved combination by all.
Be good to your mama this Mother’s Day and don’t give her messy, melty, delicate cookies, but do give a gift from the heart. These cookies may have not worked out, but I’ll show you my “plan B” next week!
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Kiss Cookies
Yield: Makes about 3 dozen cookies
Ingredients:
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
3 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Granulated sugar for rolling
Chocolate chips (any type)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Beat peanut butter and shortening until well mixed, then beat in the two sugars until light. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla and beat until fluffy. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together, then add in 3 batches to the peanut butter mixture, beating well between additions.
Roll dough into 1/2 inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar and place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 5-7 minutes and remove from oven. Immediately press a chocolate chip into the center of each cookie. Let cookies cool a minute, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
The cookies will keep for several days at room temperature in an airtight container.
Enjoy!
What a beautiful picture…I love peanut butter kisses, and I have a feeling I’ll be making these soon. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve seen a lot of cookies similar to these, but your photo convinced me to bookmarking this recipe ASAP. Lovely.
http://shortbreadbakery.blogspot.com/2010/05/mothers-day-kisses.html
What an oldie but goodie! Thanks for the reminder that the cookies from the past are still great as the cookies of the future!
You made an excellent choice. They look absolutely delicious. Beautiful photo too!
Thanks so much for your kind comments, everyone! I hope you give these little cuties a try sometime.
I would sell my right arm for some of these right now! These are my all time favorite cookie, classic and simple!
I just made these and looooove them! Thanks for the recipe!
oh I love these cookies. this has been my favorite way of making them since I saw your post a few months ago. I am going to share them today on my blog. thanks so much!
http://shortbreadbakery.blogspot.com/2010/05/mothers-day-kisses.html
What an oldie but goodie! Thanks for the reminder that the cookies from the past are still great as the cookies of the future!
What a beautiful picture…I love peanut butter kisses, and I have a feeling I’ll be making these soon. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve seen a lot of cookies similar to these, but your photo convinced me to bookmarking this recipe ASAP. Lovely.
You made an excellent choice. They look absolutely delicious. Beautiful photo too!
These are a favorite of mine especially around the holidays!
http://www.your-cellulite-solution.com/bliss-fat-girl-slim.html
I would sell my right arm for some of these right now! These are my all time favorite cookie, classic and simple!
Thanks so much for your kind comments, everyone! I hope you give these little cuties a try sometime.
Georgia, i’m just perusing through all of your amazing cookie recipes (procrastinating my work i suppose!).. and these caught my attention. i’ve seen a ton of peanut butter blossom cookies, but your photos really show how soft, thick, and chewy they are! they look incredible.
Great idea for cookies. It’s new for me and I’ll try tomorrow.
Very good written article. It will be useful to everyone who employess it, as well as me. Keep doing what you are doing – looking forward to more posts.