Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Without Shortening

Peanut butter blossom cookies are one of the most beloved classic treats ever to come out of home kitchens. Soft, chewy, and perfectly crowned with a chocolate center, they deliver comfort and nostalgia in every bite. Traditionally, many recipes call for shortening, which gives the cookies a tender, puffy texture. But not everyone wants to use shortening—whether it’s due to preference, availability, or the desire for a more wholesome, natural approach.

This recipe transforms the classic peanut butter blossom into a no-shortening, butter-only version that’s even richer, more flavorful, and beautifully soft. Butter adds a depth of flavor that shortening can’t achieve. It creates a cookie that feels more homemade, more aromatic, and more melt-in-your-mouth. As long as you follow the proper butter-handling techniques, you’ll get a cookie that rivals traditional bakery blossoms without any need for shortening.

Whether you’re baking for the holidays, building a dessert platter, preparing a batch for gifting, or simply craving the familiar combination of peanut butter and chocolate, these butter-only blossoms will quickly become a staple recipe in your baking collection.

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Why Make Peanut Butter Blossoms Without Shortening?

Shortening has long been used for cookies because of its high melting point, which helps cookies rise nicely and prevents spreading. But butter provides flavor and richness that are hard to resist.

This no-shortening recipe is perfect for you if you want:

A more flavorful cookie

Butter elevates the taste dramatically. Its natural creaminess enhances the peanut butter and adds a gentle caramel-like undertone that shortening can’t deliver.

A more natural ingredient list

Butter is a whole-food ingredient. Many home bakers prefer it over processed fats.

A tender, chewy texture

Even without shortening, these cookies stay wonderfully soft for days thanks to the right balance of wet and dry ingredients.

Easier access to ingredients

Most people already have butter in their refrigerator. No special shortening required.

Better aroma

Butter-based cookies fill your kitchen with an irresistible warm, nutty, home-baked scent.

These upgrades make butter-only blossoms not only possible, but in many cases, even better than the original version.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe follows all dietary restrictions—no alcohol, no pork, no bacon, no wine, no beer, and no whisky.

Dry Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter

• ½ cup packed brown sugar

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping and Rolling

• Additional granulated sugar (for coating)

• 24–30 chocolate drops, chocolate disks, or classic chocolate centers

Yields about 24–30 cookies.

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How to Make Peanut Butter Blossoms Without Shortening

Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking liners to ensure even heat distribution.

Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Set aside—this mixture will help the cookies rise and stay soft.

Cream the Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat softened butter and peanut butter together until creamy.
Add brown sugar and granulated sugar.
Continue beating for 2–3 minutes until the mixture is pale, fluffy, and smooth.

Butter is the star here, so proper creaming is essential. This incorporates air and gives you the perfect light texture even without shortening.

Add Egg and Vanilla

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully blended and smooth.
The dough should be soft, rich, and silky.

Add Dry Ingredients to Wet

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.
Mix until just combined; overmixing will toughen the dough.

Shape the Dough

Scoop out 1-tablespoon portions and roll them into smooth balls.
Uniform size ensures even baking and a picture-perfect look.

Roll in Sugar

Fill a small bowl with granulated sugar.
Roll each dough ball generously so the cookies bake with a beautiful sparkly coating.

Bake the Cookies

Place dough balls 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheets.
Bake for 8–10 minutes, watching closely.
The cookies should look puffy, with crackled tops, and should still feel soft.

Add Chocolate Centers

As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, gently press a chocolate drop or disk into the center of each one. The edges will crack slightly—this is the hallmark of perfect peanut butter blossoms.

Cool on the Rack

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 3–4 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.

Your shortening-free blossoms are now ready—chewy, buttery, aromatic, and naturally delicious.

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How Butter Changes the Texture (in the Best Way)

Shortening and butter behave differently, but butter gives these cookies several advantages:

Deeper Flavor

Butter is naturally rich and savory-sweet. Every bite of the cookie is infused with flavor.

Softer Center

Butter melts earlier in the baking process, creating a soft, tender middle.

Slight Spread (in a good way)

Compared to shortening, butter allows slight spreading, helping the cookie become rounder and softer.

Golden Edges

Butter browns beautifully, giving the cookies a lightly crisp edge that balances the chewy center.

While shortening may create a slightly puffier cookie, the butter-only version offers unmatched richness and softness.

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Tips for the Best Butter-Only Peanut Butter Blossoms

Use Properly Softened Butter

It should be soft enough to dent easily, but not melted.
Overly warm butter = cookies that spread too much.

Don’t Overbake

Butter browns quickly, so remove cookies as soon as edges set.
Slight underbaking = soft, chewy centers.

Use Creamy Peanut Butter

For the softest texture, choose a smooth, thick peanut butter.
Avoid runny natural peanut butters unless they clearly state they are thick.

Cool Properly

Letting them rest on the tray for a few minutes ensures they don’t fall apart and keeps the centers chewy.

Keep the Dough Cool If Needed

If your kitchen is warm, chill dough for just 10 minutes to prevent excessive spreading.

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Variations You Can Try

One of the best things about peanut butter blossoms is their ability to adapt to any flavor theme. Try these twists:

Chocolate Variations

• Milk chocolate centers

• Dark chocolate for a richer taste

• White chocolate drops

• Mini chocolate bars pressed into the center

• Caramel-filled chocolate pieces

Sugar Coating Variations

• Red and green sanding sugar for Christmas

• Gold sugar for party trays

• Cinnamon sugar for a warm winter twist

Flavor Variations

• Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon to the dough

• Add ¼ cup chopped peanuts for crunch

• Swirl in a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a peanut-butter-chocolate hybrid cookie

• Add a touch of maple extract for holiday warmth

Topping Variations

• Drizzle melted chocolate over the cookies

• Press a chocolate disk slightly off-center for a stylized look

• Add festive sprinkles around the chocolate center

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How to Serve These Butter-Only Blossoms

These cookies fit into countless celebrations and everyday sweet moments.

Holiday Cookie Trays

Their round shape and chocolate center make them a must-have Christmas classic.

Dessert Boards

Pair with fudge, peppermint bark, chocolate truffles, and sugar cookies.

Kid-Friendly Baking Days

The rolling and pressing steps are perfect for little helpers.

Coffee and Tea Pairings

They’re delightful with warm drinks due to their soft, buttery bite.

Gifting

Place them in:

• Festive tins

• Holiday cookie boxes

• Ribbon-tied cellophane bags

• Decorative mason jars

Butter-based blossoms stay soft and travel beautifully.

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Storage and Freezing Instructions

Storing

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container.
They stay soft for 4–5 days because the butter and brown sugar keep moisture locked in.

To keep them softer longer, place a slice of fresh bread in the container. The cookies absorb moisture from the bread and stay tender.

Freezing Cookies

Freeze the cookies in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Freezing Dough

Roll the dough into balls and freeze on a tray.
Once firm, transfer to freezer-safe bags.
Roll in sugar before baking.

Bake straight from frozen—add about 1 minute to the bake time.

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Troubleshooting Butter-Only Peanut Butter Blossoms

Cookies Spread Too Much

Possible cause: butter too warm.
Fix: Chill dough for 10 minutes.

Cookies Didn’t Spread Enough

Possible cause: too much flour.
Fix: Use the spoon-and-level method when measuring flour.

Cookies Too Crumbly

Possible cause: overbaking.
Fix: Remove cookies as soon as edges form cracks.

Chocolate Melts Too Much

Possible cause: storing while warm.
Fix: Allow cookies to cool completely before stacking.

Cookies Dry After a Day

Possible cause: under-storage.
Fix: Use airtight containers and add a slice of bread.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do these cookies still turn out soft without shortening?
Yes! With the right balance of ingredients, the butter-only version is incredibly soft and even more flavorful.

Can I use salted butter?
Yes—simply reduce the added salt to a pinch.

Can I use natural peanut butter?
You can, as long as it’s thick and not oily or runny. The texture may be slightly different.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. This recipe doubles perfectly for holiday parties or gifting.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Yes! This adds a fun texture to the cookies.

Do I need to chill the dough?
Not usually. If your kitchen is very warm, a short 10-minute chill helps control spreading.

Why are my cookies dry?
Most likely, you added extra flour or baked them too long. Butter cookies must be removed just before they look fully done.

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Why This Recipe Belongs in Your Baking Collection

This butter-only peanut butter blossom recipe is more than just a shortening-free version. It’s a flavor-packed, naturally rich, soft, and chewy cookie that stands tall among holiday classics. The butter adds an authenticity and warmth that resonates with anyone who loves cozy, comforting desserts. These blossoms are simple enough for beginners, reliable enough for busy bakers, and delicious enough to impress at any gathering.

With their golden edges, rich peanut butter aroma, and smooth chocolate centers, these cookies deliver everything you love about the original blossoms—but with a fresher, more homemade taste. Whether you’re creating a festive holiday memory or stocking your cookie jar, these shortening-free blossoms will become your go-to recipe for years to come.