The Many Variations on a Holiday Favorite, the Hershey's Kiss Cookie

Baking Christmas cookies has been a tradition in my family since before I was born. In the beginning all my aunts did it every year. They'd each make a certain type (or 3 different types!) of cookie and then bring large trays of them to our New Year's Eve celebration at my Grandfather's house. We'd enjoy the cookies there that night and then each of them would rearrange their tin or a tray to include cookies from everyone else's before going home. In the past couple of years, the nieces have gotten together over my one aunt's house to make cookies and instead of everyone bringing cookies to New Year's Eve, just the one would. One of the most popular cookies, and the one I always associate with my Aunt Carol, is the Peanut Blossom, or the Candy Kiss Cookie, as I like to call it. It's an excellent addition to any holiday cookie tray and now, thanks to the many types of Hershey kisses now available, it can have many variations. Read on for the recipe and the variations I've made according to some of the new Hershey's Kiss flavors.

Original Candy Kiss Cookie (aka Peanut Blossom)
Yields 48 cookies

1 ¾ cup flour
1 Tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup sugar
2 tbsp milk
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup shortening (or 1 stick butter)
½ cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Sugar to roll dough in
48 candy kisses

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine all ingredients in to a large bowl except for Kisses and mix well. Shape dough into balls (like tiny meatballs), roll in sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Take tray out of oven and immediately place a candy kiss into the top. Put tray in the refrigerator until cool. Do not touch the kisses until you take them out of the fridge or the cookie could collapse.

Variations:

You can easily change the recipe by taking out the peanut butter from the batter and using any of the many types of Hershey kiss candies that are available in your area. Here are a few other variations that I've come up with or found.

Double Peanut Butter Candy Kiss Cookie

** All ingredients the same but instead of regular Kisses, use the Peanut Butter Kisses

Peppermint Mocha Candy Kiss Cookie

** Instead of peanut butter from the batter recipe and add 2 tbsp of instant coffee and ½ tsp cinnamon (may want to add more depending on taste you desire don't be afraid to taste your batter to see if you like it or not!)
**Use Candy Cane Kisses instead of Regular.

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

** Drop the peanut butter from the recipe
**Roll Candy in green and red sugar
** Use Candy Cane Kisses instead of Regular

Chocolate Caramel Kiss Cookies
**Drop peanut butter; add ¼ cup cocoa and/or 2 tsp chocolate syrup
** Use Caramel Kisses

There are many variations you can come up with both on your own and with the help of the Hershey's website. Don't be afraid to experiment with flavorings such as peppermint or coconut extract and the many wonderful types of Hershey kisses that are now available. Have fun baking, and tasting!!!!