My mom has been making the ‘traditional’ version of this cookie for years. In fact, I knew them as ‘Amy and Dustin Cookies’ WAAAAAY before I ever heard them called Peanut Butter Blossoms. They don’t look very floral to me, but whatever…
My mom acquired this recipe of peanut butter sugary goodness from her friend years and years ago when our family lived in the little town of Tremonton. This sweet lady was also the mom to some of our favorite playmates, Amy and Dustin. I’m not sure how the name in our family evolved, but even after moving to California and now a LOT of years later, they’re still ‘Amy and Dustin Cookies’ to us.
After spending way too much time in the candy isle at Target the other day I got the idea to make up some Amy and Dustins in Valentine style. There’s a lot of heart shaped candy out there, but Hershey’s and Dove were my top two picks. In the end, I went with Dove, well, because Dove chocolate is pretty much irresistible. Dove = rich, smooth chocolatey goodness. And, Hershey’s wouldn’t have helped me make a signature cookie like Dove did:
Love that ‘D’!
I used both the milk and dark Doves. But, if you don’t have any chocolate laying around just get out your fork. These are great peanut butter cookies all on their own.
So, you’ve got a week to get yourself some chocolate and bake up these simple and LOVE filled treats. Come on share: who’s going to get a delivery from you? I won’t tell!
Amy & Dustin Cookies (also known as Peanut Butter Blossoms)
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup peanut butter (I love you Jif!)
3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
chocolate kisses or heart shaped chocolate candy, like Dove
additional sugar for rolling
Preheat oven to 350. Cream together the butter and sugars. Add the eggs one at a time. Mix in the milk, vanilla and peanut butter. Sift the flour, baking soda and salt. Add to remaining ingredients.
Form dough into quarter sized balls and roll in sugar. Place on baking sheet. Press with a fork if you’re just going for peanut butter cookies. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately push one chocolate heart into the middle of each cookie. Allow cookies to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a cooling rack.
Now that is an awesome way to share the love
. These look yummy.
Saw your link over at “be different… act normal” these look amazing… Thanks for sharing the recipe too. I think I should try it out
new recipes are always a good excuse for making cookies!
~ Emily N. from “too Blessed to Stress”
Thanks Emily! I know you’ll love this one. I just checked out your blog too.
Hey readers! Take a visit over to Too Blessed to Stress SOON to get your craft on!
http://tooblessed2stress.blogspot.com/
Hi there again, I was about to try these today and printed out the recipe to bring to the store for ingredients…It doesn’t have any sugars but lists peanut butter twice. Should that first one be 1 cup sugar? I’m assuming so but wanted to check before I made a fool out of myself – and do you use any brown sugar or just white? Thanks Dianna and I’m sure this one will be a hit like the Oreo Cookie Cookies.
Lisa! Thanks a TON for catching my mistake! Your baking suspicions are correct. It’s supposed to be sugar — and is now that I’ve corrected it. Looks like just a few proof reads weren’t enough. Best of luck with the now corrected recipe. Come back and let me know how it turns out!
Thanks Dianna and not any brown sugar right? I’m making them tonight and bringing them to my little cousins tomorrow morning and was SOOO sad that Safeway in Folsom was out of the Dove hearts and I had to get Hershey’s instead. Lame! I’ll let you know how they turn out and thanks again!
No brown sugar. Just the white stuff this time. Happy baking!
Okay they are done and SO delicious!!!
Dianna,
This is Julie Underwood from FO 3rd ward. I don’t know if you remember me, Cynthia Miller’s daughter. Anyway, I came across your blog which led me here and I saw this post and thought I would say hi. I’m actually living in Tremonton right now! How funny, such a small world. I got married this summer and just graduated college this December. This blog is amazing, I’m definitely going to try some of the recipes you’ve posted! My husband loves peanut butter cookies, so I’m going to have to give these a try, with a dove twist…I love it!
Julie! Of course I remember you! What are you doing in Tremonton? O.k., this isn’t really the place to catch up on old times. You should email me.
I’m so glad you found the blog. Let me know how your baking creations turn out and keep in touch!
[...] saw these lovely cookies on Pinterest and had to give them a go. Yes, I’ve tried various recipes for [...]