The Best Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms: Soft, Chewy, and Irresistible

The holiday season just isn’t complete without a batch of homemade cookies, and for many, that means classic peanut butter blossoms. These delightful treats, featuring soft peanut butter cookies adorned with a chocolate kiss in the center, evoke warmth, nostalgia, and pure joy. But what if you’re living gluten-free? No need to miss out on the magic! We’ve perfected a recipe for gluten-free peanut butter blossoms that delivers all the classic flavor and soft, chewy texture you crave.

I’ve been envisioning a table full of glorious peanut butter-centric delights since the warmer months. There’s an undeniable charm to holiday baking, transforming simple ingredients into cherished memories. While I adore all kinds of peanut butter cookies – from fully loaded Reese’s cookies to a delightful cookie with peanut butter chips, or even the simplicity of a chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookie – the peanut butter blossom holds a special place in my heart. Its iconic appearance and beloved taste make it a staple for any holiday cookie platter.

While the original recipe for peanut butter blossoms wasn’t designed to be gluten-free, adapting it is wonderfully straightforward. You can easily create your own batch of these adorable, fuss-free, and incredibly fun-to-make gluten-free chocolate kiss cookies for the holidays. Best of all, you only need a handful of essential ingredients to embark on this delicious baking adventure. Get ready to impress everyone with these irresistibly soft and chewy gluten-free treats!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Our gluten-free adaptation of this cherished Christmas cookie recipe uses many of the same foundational ingredients as the original, with just two crucial gluten-free substitutions. Understanding the role of each component will help you achieve the best possible results for your soft and chewy gluten-free peanut butter cookies.

• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: To simplify the baking process and ensure consistent results, we highly recommend using a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. These blends are specifically formulated to replace wheat flour cup-for-cup in most recipes. Our top recommendation is King Arthur’s 1:1 Gluten-Free Flour, known for its reliable performance in baked goods. Using a blend eliminates the need to measure out multiple individual flours, making the process much easier for home bakers.
• Cornstarch (or Arrowroot): This is our secret ingredient for achieving that wonderfully soft and tender texture in our gluten-free peanut butter blossom cookies. Two tablespoons of cornstarch (or arrowroot powder, if you prefer) helps to create a delicate crumb without drying out the cookies, allowing the rich peanut butter flavor to truly shine. It also contributes to the delightful chewiness that makes these cookies so addictive.
• Kosher Salt: Don’t underestimate the power of salt in baking! A generous amount of kosher salt is essential for balancing the sweetness of the sugars and the rich flavor of the peanut butter. Our recipe uses a bit more salt than some traditional versions, and in blind taste tests, our family consistently preferred the batches with a slightly higher salt content. Rest assured, they won’t taste overly salty; rather, the salt enhances and harmonizes all the flavors, making each bite more satisfying.
• Baking Soda: This leavening agent is key for helping your cookies spread beautifully and achieve a pleasant rise. Ensure your baking soda is fresh for optimal results. You can quickly test its freshness by mixing a small amount with vinegar; if it fizzes vigorously, it’s ready to use. Fresh baking soda ensures your gluten-free peanut butter blossoms will have that desirable crackled top and soft interior.
• Softened Unsalted Butter: For the wet ingredients, start with softened unsalted butter. Properly softened butter is crucial for creaming smoothly with the sugars. It should yield slightly when gently pressed with your finger but should not look shiny or greasy, which indicates it’s too warm or melted. Room temperature butter incorporates air more effectively, leading to lighter, fluffier cookies.
• Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: This combination of sugars, inspired by classic recipes, creates a perfect balance of flavor and texture. Brown sugar contributes moisture and a subtle caramel note, resulting in soft and chewy cookies, while granulated sugar aids in spreading and provides crisp edges. Together, they create the ideal foundation for our peanut butter cookie base.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: We believe a truly great peanut butter blossom requires ample peanut butter flavor. That’s why our recipe calls for ¾ cup of creamy peanut butter, which is more than many other recipes. This increased amount yields a more pronounced peanut butter taste and a superior texture. It’s vital to use a stabilized peanut butter spread (like PB & Co, JIF, or Skippy) rather than natural peanut butter (which often separates oil). Natural peanut butter, while great for sandwiches, can cause the cookies to become dry and crumbly or spread excessively during baking due to its oil content.
• Large Egg: Just one room temperature egg is needed to bind the ingredients together and add richness. Using a room temperature egg helps it incorporate more smoothly into the butter and sugar mixture, creating a more cohesive dough.
• Vanilla Extract: A generous splash of pure vanilla extract elevates the overall flavor profile, adding a warm, aromatic depth that complements the peanut butter and chocolate beautifully. Don’t skip this essential ingredient!
• Hershey’s Kiss Candies: The iconic finishing touch! These classic chocolate kisses are gently pressed into the warm cookies, creating the signature “blossom” shape. You can use traditional milk chocolate kisses for a timeless look or opt for dark chocolate kisses for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor, which is our personal favorite.

How To Make The Best Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms, Step By Step

For precise ingredient measurements, detailed instructions, and helpful tips, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. These steps will guide you to perfectly soft and chewy gluten-free peanut butter blossom cookies every time!

1. Combine The Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine your chosen gluten-free flour blend, cornstarch, baking soda, and kosher salt. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine these ingredients, ensuring they are evenly distributed. This step prevents pockets of leavening or salt in your finished cookies. Set this mixture aside.
2. Cream Butter, Sugars & Peanut Butter: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the softened unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, granulated sugar, and creamy peanut butter. Beat these ingredients together on medium speed for 2-3 minutes. You’re looking for a mixture that is light in color, smooth, and fluffy – this “creaming” process incorporates air, which is crucial for a tender cookie texture.
3. Add Egg & Vanilla: Once your butter and sugar mixture is light and airy, add the room temperature egg and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed just until they are fully incorporated into the dough. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; simply combine until no streaks of egg or vanilla are visible.
4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the pre-mixed dry ingredients to the wet mixture in the stand mixer. Mix on low speed, just until the dry ingredients are barely combined and no flour streaks remain. Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies, so stop as soon as it comes together.
5. Chill The Dough: Once the dough is mixed, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours. Chilling the dough is a vital step that helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, deepens their flavor, and makes them easier to handle. Don’t skip this step for the best results!

6. Preheat The Oven & Prep Your Station: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. Pour about ½ cup of granulated sugar into a shallow bowl; this will be used for rolling the cookie dough balls before baking, giving them a lovely sparkly crust and helping with texture.
7. Chill The Hershey’s Kisses (Optional but Recommended): For best results and to prevent the chocolate kisses from melting too much when pressed into the warm cookies, pop the unwrapped candies into the freezer for a few minutes while you prepare the cookie dough balls. This quick chill helps them set up faster and maintain their shape better.
8. Scoop, Roll & Bake: Use a small cookie scoop (approximately 1 tablespoon in size) to portion out the chilled dough. Gently roll each portion between your palms to form smooth, uniform balls. Then, roll each cookie dough ball generously in the granulated sugar from your shallow bowl, ensuring it’s fully coated. Arrange 8 cookies on each prepared baking sheet, leaving ample space between them to allow for spreading. Bake one sheet at a time for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers no longer look wet or shiny. It’s good practice to alternate between baking sheets for successive batches, allowing each sheet to cool slightly before adding new dough.
9. Remove & Add Kisses: As soon as you remove a baking sheet from the oven, immediately take 8 chilled Hershey’s Kisses and gently press one into the center of each warm cookie. Press down firmly enough so that the cookie forms appealing cracks around the chocolate and the kiss is nestled deep into the cookie, almost reaching the bottom, but without pushing all the way through. This ensures the chocolate stays securely in place once cooled. Carefully transfer the cookies, along with the parchment paper, to a wire rack to cool completely. To speed up the cooling process and help the chocolate set quickly, you can place the wire rack in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes. Repeat this process with the remaining dough until all your delightful gluten-free peanut butter blossoms are baked and adorned.

Delicious Variations: Creative Twists on Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

While we absolutely adore the classic peanut butter kiss cookie, sometimes it’s fun to get creative! These delightful variations allow you to customize your gluten-free peanut butter blossoms for different occasions, tastes, or simply to add a unique flair.

• Roll in Colored Sugar or Festive Sprinkles! For an extra festive touch during the holidays, swap out regular granulated sugar for vibrant red or green sparkling sugar when rolling your cookie dough balls. The sparkling sugar adds a beautiful shimmer and a slight crunch. Alternatively, roll them in colorful nonpareil sprinkles for a playful look. Remember to always check sprinkle labels to ensure they are certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain wheat. (For more details on sprinkle varieties, check out our comprehensive guide to sprinkles!)
• Mix Jimmies Into The Dough: For a hidden burst of color, try folding jimmie sprinkles directly into the cookie dough. Add 3-5 tablespoons of jimmies along with the second half of the dry ingredients. You can adjust the quantity to your preference – more sprinkles for a bolder effect, or fewer for a subtle hint of color. This creates a fun surprise with every bite!
• Substitute with Rolos: If you’re a fan of caramel and chocolate, replace the Hershey’s Kisses with Rolos! Our favorite choice for a delightful flavor combination is dark chocolate salted caramel Rolos, but the classic milk chocolate Rolos are equally delicious for milk chocolate enthusiasts. Both varieties of Rolos are certified gluten-free, making them a safe and tasty alternative.
• Experiment with Peanut Butter Cups! For an ultimate peanut butter lover’s dream, use Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups instead of chocolate kisses. These are also certified gluten-free and add an extra layer of rich peanut butter flavor and a delightful texture to your blossoms. Simply tuck a mini Reese’s cup into the center of each warm cookie after baking.
• Seasonal Dove Chocolates: Keep an eye out for seasonal chocolate offerings! Around Valentine’s Day, for instance, Dove often releases special heart-shaped chocolate candies that make a charming substitute for Hershey’s Kisses, adding a touch of elegance to your gluten-free peanut butter blossoms.
• Explore Different Hershey’s Kiss Flavors! Beyond milk and dark chocolate, Hershey’s offers a variety of Kiss flavors that can transform your cookies. Instead of the standard milk chocolate or dark chocolate kisses, consider trying Hershey’s Hugs (white chocolate striped with milk chocolate) or Almond Kisses for a nutty crunch. Always remember to check the labels for gluten-free certification, as not all seasonal or specialty Kiss flavors are safe for a gluten-free diet.

FAQ + Expert Tips and Tricks for the Best Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

Why Are They Called Peanut Butter Blossoms? The iconic peanut butter blossom cookie owes its origins to Ohio grandma Freda Strasel Smith, who submitted her creation to the Pillsbury Bake-Off in 1957. Initially, she named them “Black Eyed Susans” due to their dark chocolate center resembling the flower. Pillsbury later rebranded them as “Peanut Butter Blossoms,” and they have since become one of the most beloved and famous Christmas cookie recipes across the United States. This heartwarming history adds an extra layer of charm to every delicious bite.

Why Are My Peanut Butter Blossoms Dry or Crumbly? There are a few common culprits behind dry or crumbly peanut butter blossoms. The most frequent issues include over-mixing the dough, adding too much flour, and over-baking. To prevent these problems, we highly recommend weighing your flour with a kitchen scale for precise measurement (or at least using the scoop and level method). When mixing, stop as soon as the ingredients are just combined and no dry streaks remain. Finally, use an oven thermometer to ensure your oven temperature is accurate and set a timer to prevent over-baking, which can quickly dry out cookies. A perfectly baked cookie will be set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center.

How Do You Store Peanut Butter Blossoms? To maintain their freshness and delightful texture, store your gluten-free peanut butter blossoms in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. For optimal presentation and to prevent the chocolate kisses from dislodging or sticking, it’s best to store them in a single layer if possible. If stacking is necessary, ensure the chocolate kisses are completely firm and set before layering them. You can place parchment paper between layers to offer additional protection.

Can You Freeze Peanut Butter Blossoms? Absolutely! Freezing is a fantastic way to extend the shelf life of these delicious cookies. The best method for freezing baked peanut butter blossoms is to first arrange them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze until they are solid. This initial flash-freeze helps the chocolate kisses firm up and prevents them from sticking to each other. Once frozen solid, transfer the cookies to an airtight freezer-safe container. Hard-sided containers are often preferred over freezer bags, as they provide better protection against crushing. Baked gluten-free peanut butter blossom cookies can be frozen for approximately 1 month, ready to be thawed and enjoyed whenever a craving strikes. (You can also freeze the raw cookie dough using our detailed tips for freezing cookie dough!)