A mainstay at bake sales across the country, these cookies are a classic. Here, we ensure that the cookies remain soft by adding shortening to the dough. While they stay fresh in an air-tight container for up to 5 days, we recommend trying them warm!
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (preferably sweetened)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening, room temperature
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk (any variety, dairy or nondairy)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 36 Hershey’s Kisses
Preparation
- Put the flour, baking soda, and salt into a medium mixing bowl. Whisk to combine; reserve.
- Put the butter, peanut butter, and shortening into a large mixing bowl (or into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment). Using either a hand mixer fitted with the beaters, or the stand mixer, beat until creamy. Gradually add the sugars and continue to mix until the mixture is just combined (don’t over-mix or the cookies will be too flat). Add the egg, milk, and vanilla, and mix until combined.
- Add the dry mixture. Mix on low until just combined. Cover the bowl. Put in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.
- Once the dough has chilled, scoop into 1-inch rounds. Roll into smooth balls, and then place on a parchment- lined pan (cookie sheet or half-sheet pan). Return the shaped dough rounds to the refrigerator to chill for an additional hour.
- Once the dough has chilled, line the baking pan of the Cuisinart® Extra-Large Digital Air Fryer Oven with parchment. Transfer 12 of the dough balls to the lined pan.
- Select Bake and set the temperature to 325°F and the time to 10 minutes. Press Start/Stop. Once preheated, insert the pan into Position 2. When the cookies are done (be sure that they do not start to brown), remove and allow to cool on the tray for 2 minutes, then transfer, with the parchment, to a cooling rack. Press a kiss into the center of each warm cookie.
- Repeat with the remaining dough.