Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies (Easy)

Holiday baking should feel joyful—not complicated. For gluten-free families, finding festive cookie recipes that taste just as good as their traditional versions can sometimes feel challenging. But this recipe changes everything. Gluten-free peanut butter blossom cookies are soft, chewy, deeply flavorful, and incredibly simple to make. No unusual ingredients, no gritty texture, no dry crumbles—just classic holiday cookie perfection without the gluten.

Peanut butter blossoms are one of the most iconic Christmas cookies. They combine sweet and salty flavor, melt-in-your-mouth softness, and a signature chocolate center that always makes people smile. This gluten-free variation preserves everything you love about the original while making it allergy-friendly for more guests at your holiday table.

Whether you’re creating a cookie platter for Christmas Eve, prepping treats for holiday parties, participating in a cookie exchange, or baking with kids, these gluten-free peanut butter blossoms deliver all the classic flavor with none of the gluten. They’re easy enough for beginners and delicious enough to satisfy traditional-cookie lovers too.

Let’s dive into the complete guide—ingredients, step-by-step instructions, pro baking tips, flavor variations, and expert storage advice—so you can bake gluten-free peanut butter blossom cookies with confidence and joy.

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What Makes These Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms So Good?

Many gluten-free cookies turn out dry, crumbly, or overly dense. But these gluten-free peanut butter blossoms avoid all of those issues thanks to a few important factors:

Naturally Gluten-Free Base

Peanut butter, eggs, and sugar form a naturally gluten-free dough structure that doesn’t rely heavily on flour. This makes it easier to replicate the soft texture of the original blossom cookie.

Perfect Flour Ratio

Using the right gluten-free flour blend ensures cookies hold their shape and don’t taste gritty or powdery.

Ideal Moisture Balance

The combination of peanut butter, brown sugar, and butter helps keep the cookies soft and tender.

Chocolate Center for Structure

Adding the chocolate topper helps “anchor” the cookie, giving stability as it cools and setting the traditional blossom shape.

Simple, Foolproof Method

Beginners, kids, and busy bakers appreciate how easy this dough is to mix and shape. No chill time needed unless your environment is warm.

The result: gluten-free cookies that are perfectly soft, beautifully crackled, and topped with warm chocolate. No one can tell they’re gluten-free.

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Ingredients for Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

This recipe contains no pork, no bacon, no wine, no alcohol, no beer, and no whisky.

What You Need:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural, not oily)

• ½ cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup granulated sugar (plus extra for rolling)

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum)

• ¾ teaspoon baking soda

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 20–24 chocolate kisses or chocolate disks (gluten-free)

If you prefer dairy-free, you may use dairy-free chocolate and butter alternatives.

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Soft & Chewy Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together:

• gluten-free flour

• baking soda

• salt

Make sure no clumps remain.

Cream Butter, Peanut Butter & Sugars

In a large mixing bowl:

1. Add softened butter and peanut butter.

2. Add brown sugar and granulated sugar.

3. Beat until fluffy—about 1–2 minutes.

Creaminess is the foundation of soft cookies.

Add Egg and Vanilla

Mix in the egg and vanilla until the dough is smooth and cohesive.

Add Dry Ingredients

Add your dry mixture to the wet mixture.
Stir until just combined—gluten-free flour can become gummy if overmixed.

Roll Dough Balls

Use a tablespoon scoop to form balls.
Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar to give a sparkly, crackled finish.

Place dough balls evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes.

The cookies will puff up slightly and crack around the edges—this is your cue that they’re ready.

Add Chocolate Center

Immediately after baking:

• Press a chocolate kiss, chocolate disk, or chocolate drop into the center of each cookie.

• Press gently to avoid flattening the cookie too much.

The chocolate will soften beautifully from the heat.

Cool

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
Then transfer to a rack to finish cooling.

The cookies will firm up as they cool while staying soft inside.

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Why the Right Gluten-Free Flour Matters

Not all gluten-free flour blends behave the same. Some blends make cookies dry, sandy, or too crumbly. For the best results:

• Choose a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum.

• Avoid single-ingredient flours like almond flour or coconut flour unless modifying the recipe significantly.

• A blend helps the cookies hold shape, develop the right structure, and maintain chewiness.

Good blends usually contain rice flour, starches, and xanthan gum to mimic the strength of wheat flour.

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Gluten-Free Ingredient Tips to Avoid Dry or Crumbly Cookies

The biggest challenge in gluten-free baking is texture, but these tips guarantee success:

Use Room-Temperature Butter

Cold butter won’t cream properly.

Don’t Use Natural Peanut Butter

The oils separate, creating inconsistent texture.

Avoid Overbaking

Gluten-free cookies dry out fast. Remove them when just set.

Let Cookies Cool Completely

Gluten-free baked goods firm as they cool—they may seem soft at first but develop structure.

Add a Touch of Milk if Dough Seems Dry

1–2 teaspoons can improve moisture without affecting results.

With these small adjustments, gluten-free cookies can be just as decadent as traditional ones.

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Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, you can customize your gluten-free peanut butter blossoms with festive flair.

Dark Chocolate Blossoms

Use dark chocolate disks for a rich, elegant holiday cookie.

White Chocolate Blossoms

White chocolate melts beautifully on blossoms and creates a snowy winter look.

Sprinkle-Coated Blossoms

Roll dough balls in colored sprinkles instead of sugar.

Double Peanut Butter Blossoms

Top each cookie with a mini peanut butter cup instead of a chocolate kiss.

Cinnamon-Sugar Blossoms

Roll cookies in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a warm, cozy twist.

Peppermint Blossoms

Press peppermint bark squares into the warm cookies.

Caramel Drizzle Blossoms

Drizzle gluten-free caramel sauce on cooled cookies for holiday sweetness.

Nut-Free Peanut Blossom Alternative

Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.

Gluten-free baking offers endless opportunities for creativity.

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How to Build a Gluten-Free Holiday Cookie Platter

If you’re preparing a Christmas dessert table or cookie gift tray, these peanut butter blossoms make a perfect addition.

Combine Multiple Shapes & Sizes

Include regular blossoms, mini blossoms, and flat chocolate disk versions for visual appeal.

Add Gluten-Free Holiday Treats

Pair your cookies with gluten-free favorites such as:

• Meringues

• Chocolate-dipped fruit

• GF sugar cookies

• Coconut macaroons

Use Festive Color Accents

Add red and green sprinkles, foil-wrapped chocolates, or holiday ribbon.

Label Your Platter

When serving gluten-free foods at gatherings, label the platter clearly so guests feel safe and included.

This makes your dessert arrangement welcoming and visually stunning.

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How to Store Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

Keeping gluten-free cookies soft requires the right storage method.

Store at Room Temperature

Keep cookies in an airtight container for 3–5 days.

Add a Slice of Bread

The moisture from the bread helps keep cookies soft without changing their flavor.

Refrigeration

Cookies can be refrigerated for up to 7 days but may firm slightly.

Freezing

Gluten-free blossoms freeze very well:

• Freeze up to 2 months

• Thaw at room temperature before serving

Freeze the Dough

Roll into balls, freeze on a tray, then bake as needed.

Gluten-free holiday baking has never been easier.

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Troubleshooting Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

Cookies Spread Too Much

Possible causes:

• Too much butter

• Peanut butter too oily

• Dough too warm

Solution: Chill dough balls for 10 minutes before baking.

Cookies Didn’t Spread Enough

Add 1–2 teaspoons of milk or an extra tablespoon of butter.

Cookies Are Crumbly

Use a gluten-free blend with xanthan gum or add ⅛ teaspoon.

Chocolate Fell Off

Press chocolate into the cookie immediately after baking.

Cookies Look Gritty

This happens with low-quality flour blends—switch to a smoother mix.

Cookies Too Soft to Move

Let them cool on the baking sheet longer before transferring.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are chocolate kisses gluten-free?
Most varieties are gluten-free, but always check packaging to be safe.

Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes—use dairy-free butter and dairy-free chocolate.

What peanut butter works best?
Regular creamy peanut butter (not natural or oil-separated).

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Yes, but cookies will have a textured, rustic finish.

Do I have to chill the dough?
Only if your kitchen is warm or your dough feels too soft.

Can I freeze these cookies?
Absolutely—freeze either baked cookies or rolled dough balls.

Why are my cookies dry?
Gluten-free blends vary—add 1 teaspoon milk or reduce baking time by 1 minute.

How many cookies does this make?
Typically 20–24 cookies depending on scoop size.

Do these taste like the classic cookie?
Yes! The flavor is nearly identical, with a slightly softer, chewier gluten-free texture.

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Why This Gluten-Free Version Is a Holiday Must-Bake

These gluten-free peanut butter blossom cookies check every holiday baking box:

• Soft

• Chewy

• Easy

• Foolproof

• Gluten-free for all guests

• Festive and nostalgic

• Perfect for gifting

• Loved by kids and adults

• Beautiful on holiday platters

The brown sugar, peanut butter, and chocolate combination creates a warm, comforting flavor that tastes just like the holidays. And with the right ingredients and method, gluten-free cookies can be indistinguishable from their traditional counterparts.

Whether you’re baking for a gluten-free family member, preparing festive desserts for parties, or simply craving that classic peanut butter blossom experience, this recipe delivers pure holiday joy without compromise.

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Final Thoughts

Gluten-free peanut butter blossom cookies are a celebration of flavor, texture, and nostalgia—crafted in a way that includes everyone at your holiday table. This easy, reliable recipe brings all the charm of the original while meeting gluten-free needs without sacrificing taste or softness.

Make them once, and they become part of your annual holiday tradition. The kind of cookies that fill tins, brighten cookie boards, and bring smiles to every table they touch.

Happy gluten-free holiday baking!