Chocolate Peanut Butter Blossoms with Hugs

I LOVE the traditional peanut butter blossoms.

Every Christmas at our Cookie buffet there would always be a plate of peanut butter blossoms.

And every Christmas, I would pick out the Hershey's Kiss and leave 

the cookie back on the plate and my mom would get so mad at me :)

I didn't do that with these little beauties.

I enjoy eating the WHOLE cookie, because the key is getting the right amount of cookie to even out the Hershey's HUG, I can't stand it when there's too much cookie and one little KISS/HUG. 

It's all about balance with this cookie!

This really makes a beautiful holiday cookie.

I just love the contrast of the stripes and the chocolate cookie.

Plus what's a better combo than chocolate, peanut butter 

and a HERSHEY'S HUG to go on top?!?

These are quite delicious!

source: Hersheys

Ingredients:

makes 4 dozen cookies

48 Hershey's Hugs

1 c Creamy Peanut Butter

1/3 c sugar

2 Tbsp milk

1 c flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 c shortening

1/2 c brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 c cocoa

1/2 tsp salt

sugar, to roll in

1. Remove wrappers from Hershey's Hugs.
2. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. 
3. Add brown sugar and 1/3 cup sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. 
4. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
5. Roll dough into balls and set on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake in 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
7. Immediately press chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. 
8. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.