Red Velvet Peanut Butter Blossoms

Whenever the holidays come around, I let myself bake a little. Because my grandpa doesn’t have my grandma around to bake him sweet treats, I always try to send him a little something to brighten up his day and to satisfy that sweet tooth of his.

I always share the recipes here on NTTC because I know you guys have sweet grandpas, husbands/wives, and friends that you’re going to want to bake for from time to time. And, what’s more fun than the occasional splurge, all decked out for the holidays?

With Valentine’s Day just a few days away, here are a few recipes that you might want to make. Click any image below to be transported to the original recipe post.

And, not to be outdone, check out this year’s Valentine’s Day treat I’ve baked…

These cookies were incredibly easy to make, and the first time I ever made these peanut butter blossom type cookies. I feel like they were really popular when I was a kid around the holidays. Those yummy Hershey’s kisses sitting atop a chewy peanut butter sugar cookie.

This red velvet version adds a rich red color to the cookie, and makes them even more festive for the Valentine’s holiday. I’m also hoping they travel well… especially since they are currently en route to Northeastern Ohio and Virginia!

Red Velvet Peanut Butter Blossoms

Original Recipe from i am baker

INGREDIENTS

1 bag Hershey’s Kisses
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp. milk
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. red gel food coloring
3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
pinch salt
1/4 cup red sanding sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375.

2. Beat butter, peanut butter, and sugar in stand mixer for about 2 minutes on medium speed.

3. Turn mixer to low and add in egg, milk, vanilla, and red food coloring. Mix for about 30 seconds to incorporate, then turn mixer to medium high and blend until light and fluffy. Note: This was my first time using gel food coloring. I picked it up at Hobby Lobby. Kinda cool…

4. In a separate bowl sift cocoa, flour, baking soda and salt. With mixer on slow add flour mixture to sugar mixture and beat until just combined.

5. Remove mixer bowl from stand. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Note: I used a small 2 tsp. scoop to portion the cookies and then rolled them into balls.

6. Pour red sanding sugar onto small plate or bowl. Roll dough ball in sanding sugar and place on an ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.

7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

6. While baking unwrap Hershey’s Kisses. Once cookies are done baking, remove from oven and immediately press a chocolate Kiss into the center of each cookie. The cookie should crack around edges.