These soft gluten free peanut butter blossoms are packed with peanut flavor, and have a delightfully thin, crunchy and sugary shell. Press a chocolate kiss into the center the minute they come out of the oven and make something special!
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Why is this the best gluten free peanut butter blossom recipe?
The perfect combination of just-enough peanut butter and just-enough sweet milk chocolate (or dark chocolate, if that's your preference!) makes these cookies a classic! The cookie dough comes together so fast without an electric mixer of any kind, and the dough is never chilled.
The thick, smooth, and soft cookie dough rolls easily in your palms into a perfect round. Then, if you have some coarse sugar crystals handy, roll the dough in that, and place the balls, as is, on your baking sheet.
I’ve tried these sweet peanut butter cookies both with and without the coarse sugar around the edges. The sugar creates a delicate crispy shell, and I like that very much.
I've tried these sweet peanut butter cookies both with and without the coarse sugar around the edges. The sugar creates a delicate crispy shell, and I like that very much.
How to make gluten free peanut butter blossom cookies
The dry ingredients are mixed with a simple peanut butter and butter mixture, then eggs, and it comes together as a soft dough. It's so simple, and if you didn't have to melt the butters, it would be a one bowl deal.
As they bake, they'll begin to crackle a bit. That, and seeing the very edges brown just a bit, is how you know they're ready to come out of the oven.
The very moment the cookies come out of the oven, press a Hershey's kiss (or a mini peanut butter cup, if you prefer) in the center. It will melt a bit, and then firm right back up as the cookies cool.
Tips for making perfect peanut butter kiss cookies
This is a super simple recipe that works every single time if you don't make ingredient substitutions, whisk your dry ingredients well in a bowl, and then pour in your melted peanut butter and butter, then your whisked egg. Here are some other tips for success:
How to store these peanut butter blossoms
These cookies are very stable once cool, and actually travel quite well. If you’re making holiday cookies for gifting, these gluten free peanut butter blossom cookies are a good choice.
How to get even cookie portions
I use a #50 cookie scoop to portion the dough, and then roll it into balls. The cookie scoop is, of course, optional.
But if you have a few good cookie scoops, I think you might quickly find that they're hard to live without. So useful!
How to get the kisses to stick
Unwrap your chocolate kisses while the cookies are in the oven, so you're ready to act the moment they're done baking! Working quickly, press the base of one kiss into the center of each cookie firmly. The chocolate will melt a bit in the hot cookie and will cool as if it were born there!
What's the best peanut butter to use for these cookies?
I only like to bake with smooth, no-stir peanut butter that's blended well. The kind that has a layer of oil on top when you open the jar doesn't combine well with the other ingredients to make a fully integrated, smooth cookie dough.
Skippy brand is my favorite. There's a full discussion of gluten free peanut butter in our recipe for gluten free peanut butter cookies.
Can I skip the sugar crust?
You can skip the coarse sugar on the outside, but these are not for your after-the-new-year health kick, sister. These are cookies, and we best not mess around.
What's the best sugar to roll the cookie dough in?
The best rolling sugar is a white granulated sugar with the most coarse ground. The granules should be about as large as pretzel salt, for reference.
It can be a little difficult to find a reliably gluten free coarse sugar. Look for white “sparkling” or “sanding” sugar, but stay far away from Wilton brand, as it's not gluten free.
I buy “Chef's Select” brand white sugar crystals on Amazon, and when I find it, I buy a bunch. You can also use “Sugar in the Raw,” which is coarsely ground sugar but is has a light brown/yellow color. It still tastes great!
Substitutions and Variations for Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies
Can I use something other than peanut butter?
I think no-stir almond butter, like Barney Butter brand, would be a great 1:1 substitute. Nutella will ruin these in a hurry since it’s so, so soft.
How to make gluten free dairy free peanut butter blossom cookies
To make these cookies dairy-free, you'll need to replace the butter. My favorite dairy-free butter replacer, especially for baking, is Melt or Miyoko's Kitchen brand vegan butter.
Virgin coconut oil (the kind that's solid at room temperature) might also work, but the cookies will almost certainly spread a bit more—and brown a bit less.
How to make gluten free egg free peanut butter blossoms
There's only one egg in these peanut butter blossoms, so a “chia egg” should work great. Combine 1 tablespoon ground white chia seeds in a bowl with 1 tablespoon lukewarm water and allow it to sit until it gels.
How to make vegan peanut butter blossom cookies
If you follow the instructions above for replacing both the dairy and egg, your cookies will be vegan!
Can I use mini peanut butter cups instead of Hershey's kisses?
Sure! Even miniature peanut butter cups have a wider base than Hershey's kisses, so they'll spread or “blossom” more, but they'll still taste great.
Can I use coconut sugar instead of regular granulated sugar?
No, I don't recommend using coconut sugar as a granulated sugar replacement. It is much heavier and more complex a flavor, and it doesn't dissolve as well in baking.
Can I use cocoa powder in the cookie dough?
If you'd like a peanut butter kiss cookie with a chocolate cookie base, try our recipe for Gluten Free Chocolate Kiss Cookies, and follow the peanut butter variation! I don't recommend adding cocoa powder to this cookie base.
FAQ
Are Hershey's chocolate kisses gluten free?
At least in the U.S., Hershey's milk chocolate kisses are on the company's perennial gluten-free list. Plus, Hershey's practices truth in labeling. Of course, always do your homework and be sure to keep yourself safe.
Most of Hershey's kisses are safely gluten free, but some fancier varieties may not be safe. If you're unsure, you can try using a square of your favorite gluten free chocolate, or a small peanut butter cup if that's safe for you.
Can I freeze peanut butter blossoms?
Yes! These cookies, once baked, freeze beautifully. Let them defrost in the refrigerator or on the kitchen counter before serving.
Why are they called peanut butter blossoms?
This cookie was created by Mrs. Freda F. Smith of Ohio and submitted as an entry into the National Pillsbury Bake-Off competition in 1957. I think she called them “blossoms” because of the way the peanut butter cookie fans out as you push the chocolate kiss into the baked center.
Why would my kiss cookies come out flat?
If you made ingredient substitutions, or measured by volume instead of weight, you may have overmeasured your wet ingredients, like peanut butter or butter. Otherwise, be sure your cookie dough is at room temperature before baking it.
How to make gluten free peanut butter blossoms, step by step
Unbeatable Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (140 g) all purpose gluten free flour blend (I like Better Batter here)
- ½ teaspoon xanthan gum omit if your blend already contains it
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (55 g) packed light brown sugar
- 5 tablespoons (70 g) unsalted butter at room temperature
- ¼ cup (64 g) smooth, no stir peanut butter
- 1 (50 g (weighed out of shell)) egg at room temperature, beaten
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Coarse sugar for rolling (optional)
- 21 Hershey’s milk chocolate kisses unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line rimmed baking sheets with unbleached parchment and set them aside.
- In a large bowl, place the flour blend, xanthan gum, baking soda, salt and granulated sugar, and whisk to combine well. Add the brown sugar, and whisk to combine once more, working to break up any lumps in the brown sugar.
- Place the butter and peanut butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until melted and smooth. Allow the mixture to cool briefly.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients, add the butter and peanut butter mixture. Mix to combine.
- Add the egg and vanilla, and mix again to combine. The dough will come together and be thick, but smooth.
- Divide the dough into 21 balls of approximately equal size (each a bit more than 1-inch in diameter). Roll the balls in the (optional) coarse sugar, pressing gently on all sides to make sure that the sugar adheres in a single layer to the cookie dough.
- Place about 2-inches apart on the prepared baking sheets (they’ll spread a bit during baking).
- Place in the center of the preheated oven and bake for 11 minutes, or until the balls of dough have flattened into thick disks and the cookies have begun to take on a slightly crackled appearance.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press one unwrapped chocolate kiss in the center of each just-baked cookie, about halfway to the center of the cookie.
- Allow to cool on the baking sheet until firm (about 10 minutes) before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The chocolate kisses will firm up again as the cookies cool.
Notes
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Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, I’m Nicole. I create gluten free recipes that really work and taste as good as you remember. No more making separate meals when someone is GF, or buying packaged foods that aren’t good enough to justify the price. At Gluten Free on a Shoestring, “good, for gluten free” just isn’t good enough! Come visit my bio!
Michele says
This recipe is a keeper. Delicious!
kat says
Thank you for posting this recipe. I am going to make it for Christmas. My adult kids always go for this cookie first and since needing to go gluten,dairy and soy free I hadn’t made any. I have been slowly making homemade “Hershey kisses” to use in these cookies but still needed a really great sounding gf recipe. Thanks to you we will be eating these again.
connie says
Mine were almost too soft to roll in balls so I had to put them in the frig for a few moments; I followed the recipe exactly— maybe the “room temperature” in my kitchen is too high.
connie says
Mine were almost too soft to roll in balls so I had to put them in the frig for a few moments; I followed the recipe exactly— maybe the “room temperature” in my kitchen is too high.
Nicole Hunn says
Connie, if you warmed the butter or shortening before making the dough (which sometimes we all do if we don’t have room temperature butter at the ready), it would make for very soft dough. But it sounds like you remedied the issue just fine. It doesn’t sound like any harm was done.
Jennifer Sikora says
Has anyone made these with an egg substitute?
Jennifer Sikora says
Has anyone made these with an egg substitute?
Nicole Hunn says
I haven’t tried, Jennifer. But since it’s only 1 egg, it might work!
Allison says
What egg substitute would you recommend trying? Thank you!
Linda says
We made these last night and they are delicious. And, in the interest of accurate evaluation, we had to have one for breakfast to see if they were still good – and they are wonderfully soft and not at all crumbly today!! Thanks!
Nicole Hunn says
It’s important to be thorough, Linda. I like your style. ;)
carole says
Sorry have been out of the country so what is the reliable source of Expandex????
carole says
Sorry have been out of the country so what is the reliable source of Expandex????
Nicole Hunn says
Carole, please see this page on the blog.
Mare Masterson says
I love that you answered questions prior to them even being asked of you! I love that you really care so much about us! You really do rock, Nicole!
Nicole Hunn says
I try, Mare! ;)
Burgundy says
This DEFINITELY works with natural almond butter, in a 1:1 ratio–yum!! Thanks, Nicole!
Burgundy says
This DEFINITELY works with natural almond butter, in a 1:1 ratio–yum!! Thanks, Nicole!
Nicole Hunn says
Good to know, Burgundy!
Jennifer S. says
These are totally on my list – they are my daughter’s favorite! Thanks so much!!
Karin Joyce says
Am I missing something Nicole? I don’t see a peanut butter measure on your ingredients list??
Stephanie B. says
I don’t see it, either. It’s also not in the directions.
Nicole Hunn says
So sorry, Stephanie and Karin (and everyone else!)! I added it to the recipe. At least I forgot a very, very obvious ingredient so you noticed right away, right? I have no excuse. Forgive me!
Stephanie B. says
I don’t see it, either. It’s also not in the directions.
Karen says
It’s kinda sad that you have to remind us to unwrap the Hershey’s Kisses! : ) These look great!
Nicole Hunn says
LOL Karen. My daughter was sitting next to me last night as I typed up the recipe, and she asked if that was really necessary. I figure better safe than sorry, right? ;)
Donia Robinson says
Too bad your daughter didn’t point out the missing ingredient! ;) Kids.
Karen says
It’s kinda sad that you have to remind us to unwrap the Hershey’s Kisses! : ) These look great!
Nicole Hunn says
LOL Karen. My daughter was sitting next to me last night as I typed up the recipe, and she asked if that was really necessary. I figure better safe than sorry, right? ;)
Donia Robinson says
Too bad your daughter didn’t point out the missing ingredient! ;) Kids.