Guys, I have this thing about the Dough Boy. The Pillsbury Dough Boy, that is, not a specific member of the U.S. military forces who served in the Spanish-American War. His endearing giggle and various charming facial expressions can easily persuade me to buy any Pillsbury product, no matter how unnecessary. I am especially susceptible to purchasing anything with a package that features him sporting a terribly cute costume. Although I am loathe to admit blind adulation for any corporation, even one historically devoted to baking, I make an exception for Pillsbury and its native son, the Dough Boy.
So, Pillsbury cookie recipes that use Pillsbury products are going to be a part of Year of the Cookie. Brace yourself, if necessary, and please check your snobbery upon clicking your mouse. I bought a ginormous roll of discounted Pillsbury peanut butter cookie dough and plan to use it to make at three different types of cookies in the spirit of diversity and versatility. Peanut Butter Blossoms are a Pillsbury classic and remain one of their most popular cookie recipes of all time. Via its credited inclusion of Hershey's Kisses, this recipe also represents a collaboration between two of my favorite companies. A most profitable one, I'm sure, that required thousands of dollars in attorney fees.
*Note: the slightly edited recipe represented below is for full batch. In practice, I scaled it down by about 2/3 because I am using only part of the roll.
Ingredients
1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated peanut butter cookie dough
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 36 (1-inch) balls; roll in sugar. On ungreased cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, place balls 2 inches apart.
2. Bake 9-14 minutes until golden brown.
3. Immediately top each cookie with 1 milk chocolate candy, pressing down firmly so cookie cracks around edge. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely before storing.
Tip: Store Hershey's Kisses in freezer prior to incorporation in order to ensure they don't melt immediately all over cookie.
