Gluten free peanut butter blossoms

In recent years, the demand for gluten-free recipes has been on the rise.  One such delightful treat that has been transformed to cater to this audience is the “Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms.”

The total time required for this recipe is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. The preparation takes about 20 minutes, baking requires 8 minutes, and the cooling process is around 20 minutes. The short baking time ensures the cookies remain soft and chewy, a characteristic feature of the perfect Peanut Butter Blossom.

Ingredients & Directions for Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

1. Ingredients & Step-By-Step Instructions For The Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blossoms Recipe

1.1 Prep Time

Before diving into the baking process, it’s essential to gather all the ingredients and understand the preparation steps. The prep time, as previously mentioned, is a mere 20 minutes, making it a quick and easy recipe to whip up.

1.2 Bake Time

The cookies are baked for a short duration of 8 to 10 minutes. This brief baking period ensures they retain their soft texture, which is a hallmark of the perfect Peanut Butter Blossom.

1.3 Cool Time

After baking, the cookies need to be cooled for about 20 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the chocolate kiss to set on the cookie without melting completely.

1.4 Ingredients List

For this delightful recipe, the following ingredients are required:

• 36 HERSHEY’S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
• 1 cup REESE’S Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar for rolling (additional)

1.5.Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Preparation: Begin by preheating the oven to 350°F. The wrappers from the chocolates should be removed and set aside.
2. Mixing: In a large mixing bowl, beat the peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, baking soda, and salt together. Once combined, the egg is added and beaten well into the mixture.
3. Forming Cookies: The dough should be shaped into 36 equal balls, each about 1 inch in diameter. These balls are then rolled in the additional granulated sugar and placed on an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Baking: The cookies are baked for 8 to 10 minutes or until they turn lightly browned. As soon as they’re out of the oven, a chocolate kiss is pressed into the center of each cookie. This action will cause the cookie to crack around its edges, which is a desired effect.
5. Cooling: The cookies are then transferred from the cookie sheet to a wire rack where they cool completely.

2. Baking Tips for the Perfect Cookie

Achieving the perfect cookie texture and flavor requires more than just following the recipe. Here are some additional tips:

1. Consistent Size: Ensure that all cookie balls are of the same size. This uniformity ensures even baking.
2. Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye during the baking process. Overbaking can make the cookies hard.
3. Storage: Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain their softness.
4. Variations: Feel free to experiment! You can use dark chocolate kisses or even white chocolate for a different flavor profile.

FAQ:

Why are my peanut butter blossoms crumbly?

If your peanut butter blossoms are turning out crumbly, there could be several reasons behind it. Let’s explore some of the common culprits:

1. Flour Type:

   If you’re using a gluten-free flour blend, it’s essential to note that not all blends are created equal. Some might lack the binding properties that traditional wheat flour offers. Consider adding xanthan gum or guar gum to your recipe if your blend doesn’t already contain it. These act as binders in gluten-free baking.

2. Too Much Flour:

   Over-measuring the flour can lead to a drier and crumblier cookie. Always spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife rather than scooping directly from the bag, which can compact the flour.

3. Overmixing the Dough:

   Overmixing can lead to a denser, crumbly texture. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.

4. Not Enough Fat:

   Fat adds moisture to cookies. If there’s not enough fat (like peanut butter or butter) in the recipe, the cookies might turn out dry and crumbly. Ensure you’re measuring your ingredients accurately.

5. Ingredient Quality: The quality and freshness of ingredients, especially the peanut butter, can impact the cookie’s texture. Natural peanut butters, which often separate, can sometimes lead to a different texture than emulsified, commercial peanut butters.

6. Recipe Proportions: If the recipe you’re using doesn’t have the right balance of wet to dry ingredients, it can result in a crumbly cookie. It might be worth trying a different recipe or adjusting the one you’re using.

7. Egg as a Binder: If your recipe doesn’t include an egg, consider adding one. Eggs act as binders and can help hold the cookie together, preventing a crumbly texture.

Remember, baking is as much an art as it is a science. Sometimes, a bit of experimentation is needed to get the perfect texture.

How much sugar is in a peanut butter blossom?

The amount of sugar in a peanut butter blossom can vary based on the specific recipe used:

A typical Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossom contains:

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar (used in the dough)
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar (used in the dough)
• Additional granulated sugar for rolling

To determine the sugar content in a single cookie:

1. Combine the total sugar used in the recipe.
   • 1 cup of granulated sugar typically contains about 200 grams of sugar.
   • 1 cup of packed light brown sugar typically contains about 220 grams of sugar.
2. Given that the recipe uses 1/3 cup of each type of sugar:
   • Granulated sugar: (1/3 of 200 grams) = approximately 67 grams
   • Light brown sugar: (1/3 of 220 grams) = approximately 73 grams
3. The total sugar in the dough is approximately 140 grams.
4. If the recipe yields 36 cookies, then:
   • Sugar per cookie from the dough: 140 grams ÷ 36 = approximately 3.9 grams per cookie
5. Additionally, if you roll the cookie balls in granulated sugar before baking, this will add a small amount of sugar to each cookie. The exact amount can vary based on how thickly the cookies are coated, but let’s estimate it adds an additional 0.5 grams of sugar per cookie.
6. Therefore, a single peanut butter blossom might contain approximately 4.4 grams of sugar, considering both the sugar in the dough and the sugar coating.

This is a rough estimate based on the provided recipe. The actual sugar content can vary based on the specific recipe, the exact measurements, and the type and brand of ingredients used. Always refer to the specific recipe or, if purchasing commercially, the nutrition label for the most accurate information.