Peanut Butter Blossoms

These are one of my my favorite holiday cookies and I am so glad Naomi reminded me of these. They are so easy, but do take some prep work- I felt like we spent more time unwrapping kisses and rolling the peanut butter cookie dough balls in the sugar than the actual baking... but the time is worth it, and it makes a ton of cookies.There are many versions of this cookie out there, but I specifically like this version because of the 2nd heating step- this helps to "secure" the Hershey's kiss in the cookie. The sugar-coated cookie added a nice sugar "crust". With the large variety of Kiss flavors during the holiday season, you can experiment with all kinds of flavors- just keep in mind that you're using a peanut butter sugar cookie base! (We used Milk Chocolate Kisses and Hugs.) Tip- make sure to let these cookies cool for several hours. It takes a long time for the chocolate kisses to set and hold sturdy, so be patient.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1-1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
Additional granulated sugar (about 2 Tbsp)
~7 dozen Hershey’s Kisses milk chocolates

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, butter, eggs, and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed.
3. Stir in flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder.
4. Shape dough into 1-inch balls (we used a small cookie scoop.
5. Place additional granulated sugar in a narrow plate or bowl. Roll the dough balls in the granulated sugar.
6. Place about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
7. Bake 7 minutes or until edges are light brown on an ungreased cookie sheet.
8. Immediately press 1 chocolate candy in center of each cookie.
9. Return the pan to the oven for an additional 2 minutes, or until the chocolate kisses are slightly melted.
10. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

Yield: 80-85 blossoms (10-oz Hershey's Kisses bag yields ~63 kisses)

Source: Adapted from Betty Crocker