Star of Bethlehem Cookies AKA Peanut Blossoms

My Star of Bethlehem Cookies, more commonly known as Peanut Butter Blossoms Cookies, are topped with chocolate stars instead of kisses! These are perfect for Christmas!

Star of Bethlehem Cookies

My version of peanut butter blossoms cookies has been dubbed Star of Bethlehem cookies and are always on my Christmas baking list. I adore Dorie Greenspan’s classic peanut butter cookie or those always popular old-fashioned 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies, but those doughs don’t translate well when making these treats!

When December arrives, I hunt down some Brach’s Chocolate Stars to use instead of the traditional Hershey’s Kisses, just to make these cookies more festive for Christmas. These Star of Bethlehem Cookies would be irresistible topped with a Rolo, too, if you’re game to mix peanut butter with gooey caramel! Or how about mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups?

Best Peanut Butter Blossoms Cookies

I’ve tried a few peanut butter blossoms recipes and this is my favorite. Cook’s Illustrated also has a terrific version, but it involves grinding peanuts which is an extra step that I’d rather avoid during the busy holidays. There are a couple that have you pull out the cookies a minute or two before they’re finished baking to add the chocolate star, but I haven’t had any trouble with the chocolate not sticking so I nixed that idea, too. Simplicity is the name of the game this time of year!!

This star of Bethlehem cookie recipe made it into my holiday recipe binder, where only the best of the best candy and cookie recipes are stored. My two oldest wouldn’t complain if the cookie jar had a never-ending supply! I hope it will become one of your favorites, too.

Tips for Making These Star of Bethlehem Cookies:

• If you know you will be baking these Star of Bethlehem Cookies on a certain day, pull your butter out of the refrigerator first thing in the morning or even the night before.  Room temperature butter will be much easier to cream.
•  Spray your measuring cup with Pam before measuring the peanut butter.  It will release like a  charm.
• If you’re short on bowls or time, instead of sifting or whisking all the dry ingredients, sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the wet ingredients and mix well.  Then add the flour. Nothing worse than biting into a bit of undissolved baking soda!
• Always check your peanut butter blossoms cookies a minute or so before the baking time in the recipe. All ovens bake a little differently.
• If you’re worried about your chocolates not sticking, you can pull the cookies out of the over 1-2 minutes before they are fully baked, add the chocolates and place back in the oven to finish baking.

More “Blossom” Cookies You’ll Love:

• Macaroon Blossom Cookies from Crazy for Crust
• Eggnog Blossoms from Back for Seconds
• Christmas Sugar Cookie Blossoms from Princess Pinky Girl
• Chocolate Heart Blossoms from Baking A Moment
• Caramel Biscoff Blossoms
• Rolo Peanut Blossoms
• Candy Cane Blossoms
• More Holiday Recipes

You may need these supplies to make this Star of Bethlehem Cookies  or Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe:

• Parchment Paper
• Whisk

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Star of Bethlehem Cookies (Peanut Blossoms)

A twist on peanut butter blossoms using a chocolate star to make a Christmas cookie!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 32 minutes

Yield 60 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 package Brach's Milk Chocolate Stars (9.2 ounces)
• Sugar, to coat dough balls

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment and set aside.

Cream sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Stir into egg mixture until incorporated.

Shape tablespoons of dough into balls and roll in additional granulated sugar. Place onto prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a chocolate star into the center of each cookie.

Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to allow the chocolate to solidify.

Notes

Feel free to substitute Hershey's Kisses, Rolos, or mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cups for the chocolate stars if desired.

I spray my measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray before measuring the peanut butter, for easier release and clean up.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

30

Serving Size:

2 cookies
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1549 Total Fat: 82g Saturated Fat: 39g Trans Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 175mg Sodium: 797mg Carbohydrates: 183g Fiber: 7g Sugar: 106g Protein: 27g