Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies (A “Magic” Holiday Classic!)

Are you searching for the ultimate, “easiest-ever” holiday cookie? The kind of nostalgic, “from-scratch” treat that tastes just like the ones grandma used to make—impossibly soft, perfectly chewy, and with that iconic, rich chocolate kiss pressed right into the center? This incredible, “Magic” 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Kiss Cookie is that perfect, timeless tradition. We’re talking a rich, tender, and unbelievably delicious flourless peanut butter cookie that comes together in one bowl, in about 5 minutes.

This isn’t just another cookie recipe; it’s a guide to mastering a legendary, multi-generational secret. Forget the complicated, finicky holiday baking. We’ll show you the simple but crucial “old-world” secrets to a flawless, foolproof, and unbelievably moist and flavorful cookie that will be the star of your Christmas cookie platters, festive gift-giving, and cozy afternoons.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Recipe Overview: The Ultimate “3-Ingredient” Holiday Cookie

What makes this “Grandma’s” cookie so spectacularly delicious is its incredible simplicity and its perfect, rich, and chewy texture. This recipe is a masterpiece of classic, minimalist baking. The “magic” of this recipe is its brilliant, 3-ingredient, “flourless” dough. There is no flour, no butter, no baking soda, and no leavening! The creamy peanut butter acts as the fat, the “flour” (from the ground peanuts), and the binder all in one. A single egg adds structure and richness, and the sugar provides the sweetness. The final, iconic touch is a classic milk chocolate candy kiss, pressed into the center of the hot, soft cookie, which is the secret to its signature, festive look.

Metric	Time / Level
Total Time	1 hour (includes optional chilling)
Active Prep Time	15 minutes
Difficulty Level	Easy
Servings	About 18 cookies

The Baker’s Pantry: The Essential Ingredients

This iconic dish uses a handful of high-quality, simple ingredients to create its signature rich and comforting flavor.

• The “Magic” 3-Ingredient Dough (The Star of the Show!):
  • Creamy Peanut Butter: This is the heart and soul of the cookie! It is absolutely essential to use a classic, creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy), not a “natural” style, which can be too oily and cause the cookies to crumble. The peanut butter provides the fat, the “flour,” and the flavor!
  • White Sugar: Provides the sweetness and the classic, chewy texture.
  • One Egg: The “magic” binder! The single egg is the key that holds the dough together, provides richness, and gives the cookie its perfect, soft “lift.”
• The “Kiss”:
  • Milk Chocolate Candy Kisses: The classic, non-negotiable, and iconic topper that makes this cookie a true holiday legend!

The Baker’s Masterclass: The Secrets to a Perfect 3-Ingredient Cookie

This recipe is all about a few simple but brilliant techniques that guarantee a flawless, impressive result.

1. The “Magic” 3-Ingredient Dough is KEY!: This is the single most important secret to this recipe’s ease. It’s a true “dump-and-mix” cookie. By simply stirring the peanut butter, sugar, and egg together, you are creating a simple, rustic, and foolproof dough.
2. The Optional Chill: The recipe brilliantly notes that if your dough is too sticky, you can chill it for 30 minutes. This is a fantastic professional trick that will make the dough much easier and less messy to roll into perfect, uniform balls.
3. The “Hot Kiss Press” is NON-NEGOTIABLE!: This is the final, crucial secret to a perfect, beautiful cookie. You must press your unwrapped chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie immediately after they come out of the hot oven. The hot, soft cookie will be puffy, and the kiss will sink in and “set” as the cookie cools. This is the key that “glues” the kiss to the cookie and creates that signature, crackled look.
4. The “Soft Bake” (Don’t Overbake!): The secret to a perfectly soft and chewy (not hard and crunchy) cookie is to not overbake it. This recipe’s “hot and fast” 10-minute bake is the key. You will pull the cookies from the oven when the edges are just set. They will look soft and puffy—that’s what you want! They will set up perfectly as they cool on the pan.

Step-by-Step to the Best 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

This elegant, festive dessert is a joy to prepare.

Part 1: The Art of the “Magic” 3-Ingredient Dough

Step 1: First, preheat your oven to 350°F ($175^{\circ}C$).

Step 2 (The Most Important Step!): In a large mixing bowl, stir together your 1 cup of white sugar, 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, and 1 large egg until they are well combined and a smooth, soft dough forms.

Step 3: If your dough is too sticky to handle, you can cover the bowl and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes until it is firm.

Part 2: The “Roll-and-Bake” to Perfection

Step 1 (The Fun Part!): Shape your dough into small, 1-inch balls. Place the dough balls on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Step 2: Bake for about 10 minutes. You will know they are perfectly done when the edges are just set and the tops are slightly puffed.

Step 3 (The “Hot Kiss Press”!): As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, immediately press one unwrapped milk chocolate kiss into the center of each warm, soft cookie.

Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes (they will set up as they cool) before you transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

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What to Serve With Your Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

These beautiful and nostalgic cookies are a fantastic and essential part of any holiday celebration.

• The Perfect Pairing: They are absolutely perfect served on a holiday cookie platter alongside other classics like gingerbread, spritz, and “Grandma’s Snowball Cookies.”¹
• A Cozy Treat: They are the perfect, delicate bite to enjoy with a cup of hot coffee, a cup of tea, or a tall, cold glass of milk.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

These are the ultimate make-ahead holiday cookie!

• Make-Ahead: You can prepare the unbaked dough up to 3 days in advance and store it, well-wrapped, in the refrigerator.
• Storage: Store the finished, baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, with sheets of wax paper between the layers, for up to 1 week.
• Freezing: This dough freezes beautifully! You can freeze the unbaked dough balls or the fully baked cookies for up to 3 months.

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Frequently Asked questions (FAQs)