5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms (Easy, Classic, and Crowd‑Pleasing)

If there’s one cookie that instantly says holidays, cookie exchanges, and why did I only make one batch, it’s the peanut butter blossom. You know the one: soft peanut butter cookies rolled in sugar, topped with a chocolate kiss, and mysteriously gone within 24 hours.

The best part? You do not need a long ingredient list or fancy baking skills to make them. This version uses just 5 simple ingredients (plus an optional splash of vanilla for extra flavor), comes together fast, and is basically foolproof… even if you’re baking with kids underfoot or squeezing this in during nap time.

Whether you’re baking for Christmas, a party, or just because peanut butter + chocolate is undefeated, these easy peanut butter blossoms deserve a permanent spot in your recipe box.


Why You’ll Love This 5‑Ingredient Version

Let’s be honest: traditional peanut butter blossom recipes can get a little… extra. Cream of tartar, multiple sugars, special steps. Not today.

Here’s why this simplified version works so well:

  • Only 5 ingredients (plus sugar for rolling)
  • No mixer required (but you can use one if you want)
  • Soft, chewy centers with crisp edges
  • Perfect peanut butter flavor without being dry
  • Great for beginner bakers and kids

If you’ve ever wanted a bakery‑style cookie with pantry ingredients, this is it.


Ingredients You’ll Need

You probably already have everything in your kitchen.

  • Peanut butter (creamy works best)
  • Granulated sugar
  • Egg
  • Baking soda
  • Chocolate kisses
  • Vanilla extract (optional but highly recommended)

That’s it. Five ingredients, zero stress.

Quick peanut butter note:
Stick with a regular creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy). Natural peanut butter can work, but it tends to make the cookies crumbly unless it’s very well mixed.


How to Make 5‑Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms

This recipe is wonderfully straightforward.

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Unwrap your chocolate kisses now and set them aside—future you will be very grateful.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, mix together:

  • Peanut butter
  • Sugar
  • Egg
  • Baking soda
  • Vanilla extract (about 1 tablespoon, optional)

Stir until the dough is smooth and thick. It should hold together easily and not feel greasy.

Step 3: Roll in Sugar

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball.

Roll each ball in a small bowl of granulated sugar and place it on the baking sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart.

Step 4: Bake

Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the cookies are lightly cracked on top and just set around the edges. They’ll look slightly underdone in the center—that’s exactly what you want.

Step 5: Add the Chocolate Kiss

Remove cookies from the oven and immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.

The cookie will crack around the edges—that’s part of the charm.

Step 6: Cool

Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Try not to eat all of them straight off the pan. (No promises.)


Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Blossoms

  • Vanilla adds warmth. One tablespoon doesn’t overpower the peanut butter—it just rounds out the flavor.
  • Don’t overbake. These cookies firm up as they cool.
  • Press the kiss gently. If you push too hard, the cookie may split.
  • Chill the dough for 10 minutes if it feels too soft or sticky.
  • Add the kiss immediately while the cookies are hot so it sticks properly.

Fun Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the classic, try one of these twists:

  • Mini peanut butter blossoms: Use mini cookie dough balls and mini kisses
  • Dark chocolate kisses: Less sweet, more rich
  • Sugar swap: Roll in coarse sanding sugar for sparkle
  • Nutty boost: Mix in 1–2 tablespoons of chopped peanuts

This base recipe is very forgiving.


How to Store Peanut Butter Blossoms

  • Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
  • Refrigerator: Up to 7 days (bring to room temp before serving)
  • Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months

They’re also great for make‑ahead holiday baking.


Perfect for Holidays, Parties, and Cookie Swaps

These 5‑ingredient peanut butter blossoms are:

  • Easy enough for a weekday bake
  • Festive enough for holidays
  • Kid‑approved and adult‑loved
  • A guaranteed hit at cookie exchanges

If you’re building a holiday cookie tray, these are non‑negotiable.


5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossom

These easy 5-ingredient peanut butter blossoms are soft, chewy, and topped with a classic chocolate kiss. Made with simple pantry staples and an optional splash of vanilla for extra flavor, they come together in under 20 minutes and are perfect for holidays, cookie swaps, or an easy baking win any day of the week.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cookies, dessert, holiday cookies
Yield: 25 cookies
Calories: 110kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Spoon or Spatula
  • 1 Baking Sheet
  • 1 Parchment Paper
  • 1 Measuring Spoons
  • 1 Cooling Rack (Optional)

Materials

  • 1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 1 Cup Granulated Sugar (Plus Extra for Rolling)
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract (Optional)
  • 18-25 Chocolate Kisses (Unwrapped)

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
    Unwrap the chocolate kisses now and set them aside
  • Mix the dough
    Stir until the dough is smooth and thick. It should hold together easily and not feel greasy.
    1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter, 1 Cup Granulated Sugar, 1 Large Egg, 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda, 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
  • Roll in sugar
    Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball.
    Roll each ball in a small bowl of granulated sugar and place it on the baking sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart.
    1 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • Bake
    Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the cookies are lightly cracked on top and just set around the edges.
  • Add Chocolate Kiss
    Remove cookies from the oven and immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.
    18-25 Chocolate Kisses
  • Cool.

Notes

  • Creamy peanut butter works best. Natural peanut butter may cause the cookies to crumble unless very well mixed.
  • Vanilla extract is optional but adds extra warmth and depth to the flavor.
  • Do not overbake—cookies will continue to set as they cool.
  • Press the chocolate kisses into the cookies immediately after baking so they stick properly.
  • For softer cookies, store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest ones. These 5‑ingredient peanut butter blossoms prove that you don’t need a complicated ingredient list to make a classic, crowd‑pleasing cookie.

They’re nostalgic, cozy, and ridiculously easy—which is exactly what baking should be.

If you make these, don’t be surprised if they become a yearly tradition… or a weekly one.

Happy baking 🧡