Reindeer Peanut Butter Blossoms

Is there anything more classic than peanut butter blossoms at Christmas?  We usually make these on Christmas Eve and lately we’ve been giving these cookies a fun reindeer twist to leave for Santa!

It’s the same classic cookie, just decorated to look like a little reindeer!  It’s such a fun way to dress up a Christmas favorite to make it look a bit more festive!

Reindeer Peanut Butter Blossoms

½ cup shortening

¾ cup smooth peanut butter

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1 egg

2 tbsp milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 ½ cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

¼ cup additional granulated sugar

1 bag Hershey Kisses (about 48), unwrapped

Red Sugar Pearls

Candy Eyeballs

Melted chocolate or royal icing, in a piping bag

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Place the shortening and peanut butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until well blended.  Add the white and brown sugar, beating until fluffy.

Add in the egg, milk, and vanilla and mix until combined.  Lastly, add the flour, baking soda, and salt and mix until combined.

Use a small (1 tablespoon) cookie scoop to measure the dough.  Roll into smooth balls.  Place the remaining granulated sugar in a small bowl. Roll the dough balls through the sugar and place on baking sheets.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove from the oven and immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.   

The chocolate will melt from the heat of the cookie.  Allow the cookies to cool and the chocolate to almost set, then press a candy pearl onto the top of the kiss and eyes to the side.  Alternatively, let the chocolate set up completely and use melted chocolate to “glue” the red nose and eye into place.  

Use melted chocolate or royal icing to pipe antlers onto each cookie.

Makes about 48 cookies.