A family holiday tradition that I’d like to take some credit for starting, or at least popularizing, is baking my favorite cookies of all time—Peanut Butter Blossoms. These are the peanut butter cookies with the chocolate kiss pressed into the middle. Ahhh… peanut butter and chocolate… a match truly made in heaven.

Although I’ve been making these cookies for the Christmas holiday for as long as I can remember, perhaps the greatest joy I receive now from Peanut Butter Blossoms is seeing my own children pick up the tradition. What follows is a pictorial view of last night’s baking session.

It all begins with the dough, rolled into a small ball.

The dough gets rolled in sugar before being placed on a cookie sheet. A daughter for every step in the assembly line. Perhaps having 3 kids was all part of the plan. :-)

Perhaps a little lumpy in places but isn’t everything made by children perfect?

The girls couldn’t wait to dig into the bag of chocolate kisses and start unwrapping them. 

Finally, the cookies are out of the oven and are ready to receive their crown. They’re best when warm. The chocolate melts ever so slightly.

There you have it. We now have our cookies for Santa.

So what are your family baking traditions?