Name: Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 33 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113 g); ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (213 g); ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed (138 g); ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 g), plus more for rolling (about ½ cup); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml); 1 large egg; 1 tablespoon milk (15 ml); ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour (248 g); 40 Hershey's Kisses (or a few more)

There’s just something about the warm, chewy texture of peanut butter paired with the smooth chocolate of a kiss that feels like a cozy hug for your taste buds. This Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe is a timeless classic for a reason — it’s deliciously simple and utterly satisfying.

The image shows a white plate with seven light golden brown cookies. Each cookie is round with a rough, slightly cracked surface and has a single milk chocolate drop pressed into its center. The cookies are arranged in a loose pile, sitting on a white marbled surface. The background includes a light blue and white checkered cloth that is softly out of focus. The overall look is warm and inviting, with a clear contrast between the light cookie dough and the darker chocolate tips. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Whenever I bake these cookies, I’m instantly taken back to childhood memories of holiday baking with my family. It’s one of those recipes that’s foolproof, tastes incredible, and brings out a little nostalgic joy. I know you’ll appreciate how easy it is to whip up a batch and the way these cookies balance peanut butter and chocolate perfectly.

Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your pantry, making these cookies perfect for last-minute baking.
Perfect Texture: Soft and chewy cookie base meets the slight snap of the chocolate Kiss on top.
Family Friendly: Kids love helping roll the dough in sugar and place the Kisses on top — baking becomes a fun activity, not a chore.
Versatile Sweetness: They’re not overly sweet, so they satisfy that dessert craving without feeling heavy or too sugary.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a role in creating that classic cookie you expect from a Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe. From the creamy peanut butter bringing moisture and flavor to the brown sugar adding depth and softness — these ingredients harmonize so well. Let’s break it down:

Flat lay of unsalted butter in a simple white ceramic bowl, creamy peanut butter in a small white ceramic bowl, packed light brown sugar in a small white ceramic bowl, granulated sugar in a small white ceramic bowl, a single large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl with milk, vanilla extract in a small white ceramic bowl appearing as a clear liquid, a small white ceramic bowl with all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl with baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl with salt crystals, and a pile of unwrapped Hershey’s Kisses chocolates, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Helps control the saltiness and creates a creamy texture for the dough.
Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of the show—choose a good quality one for the richest flavor and smoothest texture.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a slight caramel note, giving that soft chewiness in the cookie.
Granulated Sugar: Mixed in and used for rolling, it gives the cookies a delightful crunch on the outside.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm, sweet aroma.
Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure.
Milk: Just a touch to keep the dough soft and easy to work with.
Baking Soda: Gives the cookies a gentle rise and light texture.
Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the peanut butter flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie dough, providing structure without making cookies dry or tough.
Hershey’s Kisses: The iconic chocolate topping that melts slightly and adds sweetness with every bite.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how this Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe invites creativity. Sometimes I swap in chunky peanut butter for an extra nutty texture or toss in a sprinkle of sea salt right before baking for a little flavor punch. You can easily make these gluten-free by swapping the flour for your favorite blend, too.

Variation: Adding a handful of mini chocolate chips inside the dough turned out to be my kids’ favorite upgrade for extra chocolate love.
Dietary tweaks: Try using natural peanut butter and a sugar substitute to make them a bit healthier without sacrificing the classic taste.
Seasonal change: For holiday fun, swap Kisses with peppermint-flavored ones or sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a festive treat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a woman's hand pressing a large chocolate piece into the center of a small round cookie dough ball, placed on a baking mat. The cookies are light brown and have a slightly rough texture with some cracks on top, arranged in a loose grid pattern. The baking mat is beige with a textured surface, sitting on a white marbled background. The woman's hand wears a silver ring. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream the Butters and Sugars till Silky Smooth

I start by softening the unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter until they blend effortlessly. Using either a hand mixer or a stand mixer, cream them together, then add the brown and granulated sugars. The key here is to mix until completely smooth — you want that silky texture to make the cookies ultra tender.

Step 2: Mix in the Wet Ingredients

Once your buttery peanut butter mixture is perfectly creamy, add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix these until just combined. Don’t overdo it — a few extra seconds are okay, but you want to avoid a thin batter.

Step 3: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients

Next, stir in the baking soda and salt into your wet batter. Slowly add the all-purpose flour, mixing just until the dough comes together and looks smooth. I like to scrape down the bowl sides to ensure everything’s nicely blended. This helps avoid pockets of dry flour or uneven baking.

Step 4: Roll, Coat, and Bake

Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls and roll them in a small bowl of granulated sugar — this step adds that delightful outer crunch that contrasts with the soft inside. Place the sugared dough balls about 2 inches apart on parchment-lined cookie sheets. While these bake at 350°F for about 9-13 minutes, get those Hershey’s Kisses unwrapped and ready.

Step 5: Add the Iconic Kiss

Right after you take the cookies out of the oven, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss onto the center of each one. The warmth from the cookie helps the chocolate soften without melting completely — that’s the ideal texture you want. Let them cool fully on the baking sheet before moving, so the Kiss sets perfectly on top.

Top Tip

Through my many batches of this Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe, I’ve learned a few little tricks that help every time — here’s what makes the biggest difference:

Perfect Dough Consistency: Don’t overmix once you add the flour — mixing just until combined keeps your cookies tender instead of tough.
Rolling in Sugar: Roll every dough ball in granulated sugar evenly; it helps create that slightly crisp shell which makes the cookie extra delightful.
Timing the Chocolate Kiss: Press the chocolate Kiss in immediately after baking, while cookies are hot but not burning, so it melts just right without losing shape.
Use Parchment or Silicone Mats: Prevent sticking and uneven cooking by lining your baking sheets properly — makes cleanup a breeze too.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe

peanut butter kiss cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick with the classic look — just the chocolate Kiss on top — but if I want to jazz them up for a party, I sometimes sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt or finely chopped roasted peanuts on top while the chocolate is still soft. It adds a crunchy, salty contrast that’s amazing.

Side Dishes

These cookies go incredibly well with a tall glass of cold milk or a warm cup of coffee. For holiday occasions, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit or a cheese platter to balance out the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or cookie swaps, I arrange the cookies on a festive platter layered with doilies and edible flowers. Wrapping a mini stack with a colorful ribbon makes a charming gift. And if you have a themed party, use different colored Kisses or add edible glitter for sparkle.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. The cookies stay soft and fresh for up to 4 days. If you live somewhere humid, storing them with a slice of bread can help keep moisture balanced and prevent drying out.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I usually freeze the dough balls individually on a tray, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, just add a couple extra minutes to the baking time (skip rolling in sugar again), and you’ll have fresh cookies straight from the freezer.

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, I pop a couple in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This refreshes the softness and slightly melts the chocolate kiss, bringing them back to freshly baked joy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter adds texture and a nutty crunch inside the cookie, which some people love. Just keep in mind the dough might be a bit chunkier, but the baking process stays the same.

What if I don’t have Hershey’s Kisses?

No worries if you don’t have Hershey’s Kisses on hand — you can substitute with other bite-sized chocolates like mini peanut butter cups, or even chocolate chips pressed into the center right after baking.

How do I prevent the kisses from melting too much?

The key is to place the chocolate Kisses on the cookies immediately when they come out of the oven — the residual heat softens them just enough without melting them completely. Also, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before moving them to keep the shape intact.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free 1:1 all-purpose flour blend as a substitute in this recipe and follow the instructions the same way. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe feels like a little piece of joy you can bake whenever you want to add a touch of sweetness to your day. It’s quick, rewarding, and never fails to bring smiles around the kitchen. I’m excited for you to try it out and make it your own — trust me, these cookies will become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire!