Peanut Butter Blossoms

Take a good peanut butter cookie, cover it in sugar, and place a big hunk of chocolate in it, and you have a great marketing ploy by Hershey's Kisses.  Sure you're giving in to a corporate food giant, but the cookies are so good.

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1/2		 c.
c.
c.
c.

T.
t.
c.
t.
t.		 shortening
creamy peanut butter
granulated sugar
packed light brown sugar
egg
milk
vanilla extract
all-purpose flour
baking soda
salt
granulated sugar
  • Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended.
  • Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; and beat until light and fluffy.
  • Add egg, milk, and vanilla; and beat well.
  • Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt; and gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
  • Shape dough into 1-inch balls.  
  • Roll in granulated sugar; and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Remove cookies from oven, and immediately press a unwrapped Hershey's Kiss into the center of each cookie; the cookie will crack around the edges. 
  • Remove cookies from cookie sheet and place on wire rack to cool.
Total time: about 30 minutes
Time to prepare: about 20 minutes
Cooking time: 8 to 10 minutes
Makes: 2 to 4 dozen 
Notes: This cookie has a large following among the friends I have given it to; most likely for the large Kiss in each one.  Be careful about cooling the cookies, as the Kiss will be warm and easily damaged until the cookie is completely cool.  Of course, you can always eat them while warm.