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; 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 nothing quite like biting into a soft, chewy cookie that marries the salty richness of peanut butter with the sweet surprise of melting chocolate. This Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe is just that—a timeless treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. It’s simplicity and nostalgia wrapped up in every little bite.

A white plate holds six round thumbprint cookies arranged neatly, each cookie having a light golden brown color with a soft, slightly cracked texture. Every cookie has a single, smooth, dark chocolate kiss placed firmly in the center, slightly melted and glossy. Around the cookies, there are three extra chocolate kisses scattered on the plate. The plate rests on a white marbled background with a soft focus of a blue and white checkered cloth in the back. 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

I’ve made Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies countless times, and honestly, they always bring a smile to my face—and those I share them with. The balance between the chewy peanut butter dough and that gooey chocolate center is pure magic. They’re so easy to whip up, but the result feels like a special occasion.

Classic Nostalgia: This recipe brings back sweet childhood memories with every bite, made easy and foolproof.
Simple Ingredients: You likely have everything on hand—no fancy or hard-to-find items needed.
Perfect Texture: Soft, chewy cookies paired with crisp edges and a melty chocolate kiss in the center.
Great for Sharing: These cookies are a hit at parties, bake sales, or just for cozying up at home.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe plays a key role. The peanut butter and butter bring both flavor and softness, sugars give sweetness and texture, and that egg and milk balance moisture perfectly. Here’s why they work so well together and what to keep in mind when shopping.

Flat lay of a small pile of unsalted butter cubes, a smooth dollop of creamy peanut butter, a mound of packed light brown sugar, a small heap of granulated sugar crystals, a single large brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl filled with milk, a tiny white bowl containing baking soda powder, a pinch of salt displayed in a tiny white ceramic bowl, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, and several unwrapped Hershey’s Kisses chocolates with shiny silver foils, all arranged symmetrically 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: Softened butter adds rich creaminess and helps create that tender crumb you want in a peanut butter cookie.
Creamy Peanut Butter: Use a classic creamy style for smooth dough and that signature peanut butter taste.
Light Brown Sugar: Gives a subtle molasses flavor and keeps cookies moist and chewy.
Granulated Sugar: Adds a bit of crispness and helps the cookie edges caramelize nicely, plus it’s used for rolling the dough balls.
Vanilla Extract: Just a splash enhances all the flavors and brings warmth to the cookie.
Large Egg: Binds the ingredients together and helps with the cookie’s soft texture.
Milk: A tablespoon adds moisture that keeps the cookies from getting dry.
Baking Soda: Gives a little lift and helps the cookies spread just right.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the peanut butter flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: The base ingredient that holds everything together.
Hershey’s Kisses: The signature chocolate topping that melts perfectly into the warm cookie—unwrap them just before baking!

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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 to stick to the classic Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe, but once in a while, I like to fiddle with it a bit. Don’t be shy about making this recipe your own—it’s forgiving and flexible.

Variation: I sometimes swap half of the creamy peanut butter for chunky peanut butter to add a bit of crunch—it’s a fun twist that still delivers that classic flavor.
Dietary Mod: For a gluten-free version, I’ve successfully used a blend of gluten-free all-purpose flour—it changes the texture slightly but still tastes great.
Chocolate Twist: Try using mini peanut butter cups instead of Hershey’s Kisses for an extra peanut-chocolate punch.
Seasonal Flair: Around holidays, I like rolling the dough balls in colored sugar for a festive touch that’s always a hit with guests.

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

A close-up image shows a woman's hand pressing a round dark chocolate piece into the center of a golden-brown peanut butter cookie. The cookies are rough-textured and round, placed evenly on a light brown baking mat with a grid-like pattern. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream Together the Butters and Sugars

Start by mixing the softened butter and creamy peanut butter in a large bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to get them nice and smooth. The key here is really creaming them well before adding sugars—this helps your cookies be soft but not greasy. Then, add the brown sugar and granulated sugar, and mix until the whole mixture is light and fluffy. It’s a small step but sets the tone for that perfect chewy texture.

Step 2: Mix in the Wet Ingredients

Next, crack in your egg, pour the vanilla extract, and add a tablespoon of milk. Mix on medium speed until everything’s smoothly combined. You’ll notice the dough looks creamy and ready to embrace the dry ingredients—almost like cookie magic starting to happen!

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients Carefully

Sift in the baking soda and salt for even distribution, then slowly add the flour. Mix just until the dough comes together—overmixing here can make cookies tough, so I like to mix gently and scrape down the bowl sides once or twice to make sure everything is incorporated evenly.

Step 4: Roll and Sugar Coat Your Dough Balls

Fill a small bowl with granulated sugar and roll tablespoon-sized balls of dough in it before placing them on your lined cookie sheets. Spacing them about 2 inches apart helps them bake evenly without merging. Unwrapping the Hershey’s Kisses while the cookies bake is a quick way to keep the process flowing.

Step 5: Bake and Add Kisses

Bake the cookies at 350°F for 9 to 13 minutes—watch for edges turning golden brown and tops losing their glossy shine. This is your cue to pull them out and gently press a chocolate Kiss into the center of each cookie while they’re still warm. Let them cool before removing from the sheet to let the chocolate set perfectly.

Top Tip

After making this Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe several times, I’ve learned some little tricks that make all the difference. These tips make sure your cookies come out just right every time and help avoid common pitfalls I’ve done the hard work to figure out!

Butter Softening: Make sure your butter is softened—but not melted—to help the dough come together smoothly without getting greasy.
Don’t Overmix the Flour: Mixing too long after adding flour develops gluten and makes cookies tough; mix just until combined.
Press the Kisses Gently: Don’t push the chocolate kisses too deep into cookies while hot to avoid them sinking; just a gentle press is perfect.
Roll in Sugar Twice for Crunch: For a little extra texture, roll the dough balls twice—once before baking and once immediately after placing them on the sheet.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually let the cookie’s natural charm shine without extra garnish, but for a festive touch, a sprinkle of flaked sea salt over the chocolate while it’s still warm creates a lovely salty-sweet contrast that’s divine. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving makes these cookies look like little winter treasures.

Side Dishes

When it comes to pairing, a cold glass of milk is my go-to—it just complements the richness like nothing else. If you want to turn it into a little dessert plate, add fresh strawberries or apple slices for a fresh contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holiday parties, I’ve arranged these Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies on tiered stands with some colorful sprinkles or edible glitter on top. Gift-wrap them in cellophane bags tied with ribbons—it always scores brownie points with friends and family!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

My favorite way to store these cookies is in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. I layer them with parchment paper to keep the kisses from sticking or melting into one another. They stay wonderfully soft and chewy—no need to hoard them!

Freezing

I’ve frozen the dough balls before baking by placing them on a tray, freezing until solid, then storing in freezer bags. When I want cookies fresh-baked, I just pop them straight in the oven from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time. The cookies come out almost as fresh as the first time!

Reheating

To revive leftover cookies, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens the chocolate and brings back that freshly-baked warmth. Just don’t overdo it or the cookie can turn dry.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s simple, nostalgic, and utterly satisfying every time. Baking these feels like sharing a little warmth and joy, and I hope you find the same magic when you make them. They’re the kind of easy, classic cookie that’ll have everyone asking for the recipe—and you’ll love how effortless it is to whip up a batch anytime you need a sweet pick-me-up.