Gluten Free Peanut Blossoms

Peanut blossoms are an all-time Christmas favorite in my family.

Over the years, I have revised my recipe with gluten friendly options and other substitutes so that everyone can enjoy this all-time holiday classic. Give these super delicious treats a try. No one will ever know you made modifications as the taste is mouth-watering! 

Enjoy your baking and happy holidays!

​INGREDIENTS
Makes 36 cookies

• 1 cup        Creamy Natural Peanut Butter/Nut Butter of choice (no sugar added)
• ¾ cups     Coconut sugar
• ½ cups     Organic grass fed butter or coconut oil
• 2               Eggs or flax egg (recipe below to substitute for vegan or food sensitivity)
• 1 tsp         Vanilla
• 2 cups       Gluten free flour w/xanthan gum
• 1 tsp         Baking soda
• ½ tsp        Salt
• 36             Dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses
• ½ cup       Additional sugar for rolling

​DIRECTIONS

• Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
• Remove wrappers from chocolates and set aside.
• In a large bowl cream together peanut butter, butter and coconut sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in eggs and add vanilla.
• In a separate bowl whisk together gluten-free flour, baking powder and salt.
• Slowly add to the peanut butter mixture and beat until creamy.
• Cover dough mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm for an hour or so.
• Shape dough into 36 equal balls (about 1 inch). Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until lightly browned. (Careful not to overbake).
• After removing from oven, gently press a Hershey’s Kiss onto center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Return to oven for 1 more minute to solidify chocolate onto cookie,
• Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

 
ADDITIONAL IDEAS

• If your flour does not include xanthan gum, you can add your own.  Add ¼ tsp per cup of flour to thicken. Measure carefully. If you use too much xanthan gum in a recipe you may notice a heavy, gummy texture in your baked goods.
• Coconut sugar in place of regular sugars make these peanut butter blossoms refined sugar free. Coconut sugar is considered to be healthier than normal sugar. But like all sugars, they must be consumed in moderation. Note that the color of the cookies will be a bit darker. Also use dark chocolate kisses.
• For complete dairy free version, you can make your own chocolate kisses pretty effortlessly and really get into your holiday baking!

 
Flax Egg Recipe:

• 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
• 2 ½ Tbsp water

1. Mix flaxseed and water together in a dish.  Let stand to thicken for about 5 minutes.
2. Recipe substitutes for one egg in your recipes