Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

These Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms are a classic cookie to make for the holidays!

If you’re following a gluten-free diet, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the good things! Simply switching a handful of ingredients with gluten-free ingredients helps you enjoy all your favorites, including these Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms.

This is such an easy recipe that you can whip it up in under half an hour. Just mix the wet ingredients, then beat them together with the dry ingredients, and you have yourself the classic Christmas cookie recipe without all the gluten!

It’s not always easy to find delicious Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies. I hope this helps you!

Recipe Ingredients–What You Need

Here are all the simple ingredients that you require to make these classic peanut butter blossoms using gluten-free alternatives.

Milk Chocolate Kisses

You will need 24 milk chocolate kisses for this recipe. I used Hershey’s Kisses in milk chocolate for my recipe; however, you can go for any other flavor that you prefer. For instance, using Hershey’s Kisses in dark chocolate, milk chocolate with almonds, or white chocolate can add extra flavor to your gluten-free peanut butter cookies.

Shortening

This peanut butter blossoms recipe requires half a cup of shortening to mix the peanut butter with. I don’t use shortening often, but when I do I look for organic shortening with non-hydrogenated oils. Two brands I’ve tried and liked are Nutiva Organic Shortening and this Spectrum Culinary Organic Shortening. Shortening is more stable than other fats and helps keep your classic peanut butter blossoms puffy and textured.

Peanut Butter

Here comes the main ingredient of the recipe, peanut butter. I used a ¾ cup of natural peanut butter for my cookies; however, you can use a different type of peanut butter based on your preferences. Just ensure that the peanut butter is at room temperature so you can mix it easily without any lumps.

Peanut butter is rich in Vitamin E, magnesium, iron, selenium, and Vitamin B6, and people who use peanut butter, or any other nut butter for that matter, are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes and heart diseases.

Granulated Sugar

The best kind of sugar used for cookies is granulated sugar, and for these peanut butter kiss cookies, we’ll use a ⅓ cup of granulated white sugar to mix in the peanut butter mixture. We will also require extra granulated sugar to roll the cookie dough balls in.

I have also made these with coconut sugar, which works as well and has a slightly lower glycemic index than regular granulated sugar.

Light Brown Sugar

For absolutely moist and chewy cookies, we will add a ⅓ cup of light brown sugar to make the peanut butter cookie dough. The sugar content is the same for brown and white sugar. For this recipe, the main purpose of using light brown sugar alongside white sugar has less to do with its health benefits and more with keeping our gluten-free peanut butter blossoms soft and moist!

Eggs

If you’re baking cookies, you definitely need eggs; however, you will only require one egg for this recipe! An egg binds all the ingredients together and keeps the cookies moist, giving them a rich, chewy texture. It is an excellent source of protein and contains Vitamin B, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin D.

Milk

You need 2 tablespoons of milk for this recipe to add to the peanut butter cookie dough mixture. Milk helps moisten the dough and adds color and flavor to the cookies. Milk is naturally gluten-free; therefore, it is the perfect option for this recipe.

However, If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, you can alternate regular milk with coconut, almond, or soy milk.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is one of the most important ingredients in cookie recipes. We will add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to the cookie dough mixture as it enhances the taste of all other ingredients and gives the cookies a sweet and delicious aroma.

1-to-1 All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour Blend

As we’re making gluten-free peanut butter blossoms, we will be using a 1-to-1 all-purpose gluten-free flour blend. For this recipe, I’ve had good luck with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour and also Cup4Cup Gluten Free Multipurpose Flour.

Baking Soda

We need 1 teaspoon of baking soda for this recipe. Baking soda acts as a leavening agent and helps the gluten-free peanut butter blossoms rise to fluffy perfection.

Salt

Add a pinch of salt if you want to bring out the flavor in your gluten-free peanut butter blossom cookies.

How to Make Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Remove wrappers from chocolate.
2. Beat the shortening and peanut butter in a large bowl until well-blended. You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer.
3. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and the brown sugar and beat again until fluffy.
4. Add the egg, milk, and vanilla; beat well.
5. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the
   peanut butter mixture.
6. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and roll in the extra granulated sugar. Place on an
   ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
7. Take the cookies from the oven and immediately place an unwrapped chocolate kiss in
   the center of each cookie. The cookie will crack around the edges.
8. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

FAQs

Q. How do I get even cookie portions?

Use a small cookie scoop to scoop the dough when making cookie dough balls to get even cookie portions.

Q. Why won’t my Hershey’s Kiss stick to the cookies?

The trick to make the Hershey’s Kiss stick to the cookie is to place it in the center of the cookie fresh out of the oven. This will cause the kiss to melt and stick to the cookie easily. The milk chocolate kisses won’t stick if the cookie cools down.

Q. Can we make egg-free, gluten-free peanut butter blossoms?

This recipe requires only one egg; however, you can use a flax egg for an egg-free version. Simply mix 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds with 1 tablespoon of lukewarm water. Let it sit for a while till it thickens to a gel-like consistency.

Q. Can I add cocoa powder to the peanut butter cookie dough?

You can add cocoa powder to the cookie dough if you want to make gluten-free peanut butter blossoms with a chocolatey twist. I haven’t tried it, but I’ve seen this chocolate version with 1/2 cup cocoa powder added to the recipe.

Q. What can we use as an alternative to Hershey’s Kisses?

You can use mini peanut butter cups or gourmet chocolates in the shape of hearts instead of Kisses.

If you liked this gluten-free peanut butter blossoms recipe, check out my Almond Flour Banana Muffins and Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies recipes. If you need gluten-free cookies, you’ll also love these Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies! And, if you’re a peanut butter lover, these 4-Ingredient Healthy Peanut Butter Cups are sure going to interest you.

If you make these Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe, or any of my other healthy recipes, please let me know! I’d love to see a photo–share it on Instagram and I’ll feature you. Please leave a comment and star rating below. It really helps other readers know which recipes are tried and true! I appreciate you.

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