Today is National Peanut Butter Cookie Day, but I am fond of a slight variation – the Peanut Blossom. Hey, it has a chocolate center. I have your attention now.

Start by heating the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place one 9 oz package of chocolate candy kisses (unwrapped) in the refrigerator.

Cream 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, 3/4 cup peanut butter, 1/3 cup sugar, and 1/3 cup packed brown sugar in a bowl. Add 1 lightly beaten egg, 2 Tablespoon milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and mix well. Add 1 1/3 cup all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 tablespoon salt and mix until smooth.

Shape into 1 inch balls and roll in additional sugar. Place 2 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. After removing from oven, immediately top each cookie with a candy kiss, pressing down firmly so cookie cracks around the edge. Remove from cookie sheets and let cool.

Here is a bonus idea, from the days in which I made many cookie platters. Double the recipe, get one of those larger candy kiss (and additional regular size kisses). Make one larger cookie (patty not round) sized for that larger piece and you end up with a great centerpiece for your platter. See an old picture below from long ago to see what I mean. Enjoy!!!

As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes