Football Blossom Cookies

The combination of rich peanut butter and smooth chocolate creates a cookie that’s as irresistible as it is fun to decorate. Each soft, chewy peanut butter base is crowned with a chocolate football, making it the ultimate treat for sports fans.

These cookies aren’t just for the Super Bowl, they’re perfect for any football-themed event, tailgate party, or even a family baking night. With their playful design and delicious flavor, they’re bound to disappear from the dessert table faster than a quarterback on a breakaway run. Plus, they’re simple enough for kids to help with, especially when it comes to adding those signature “laces.”

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

• 36 chocolate football-shaped candies (or chocolate kisses shaped/decorated like footballs)

• White icing for laces decoration

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together peanut butter, softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

5. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll each ball in the extra granulated sugar.

6. Place on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.

7. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges.

8. Immediately press a chocolate football candy into the center of each cookie while still warm.

9. Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

10. Once cooled, use white icing to pipe football laces onto the chocolate tops.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes

Kcal: 180 kcal | Servings: 36 cookies

The Story Behind Football Blossom Cookies

Football season in the United States is more than just a sporting event; it’s a cultural celebration. From the first kickoff of preseason games to the nail-biting Super Bowl finale, millions of fans gather to cheer, snack, and celebrate. Food plays a central role in these gatherings, and no game-day table is complete without something sweet to balance out all the savory wings, sliders, and dips.

Enter the Football Blossom Cookie, a charming twist on the classic peanut butter blossom. The original blossom cookie, created in the mid-20th century, paired a soft, peanut butter cookie with a chocolate kiss in the center. Over the years, bakers have experimented with countless variations, but for sports lovers, the football-themed version is the ultimate showstopper.

Not only are they adorable, but they also bring together the universally loved pairing of chocolate and peanut butter. The iconic “football lace” decoration makes them instantly recognizable, ensuring that they fit seamlessly into your tailgate or watch party spread.

The Secret to the Perfect Peanut Butter Base

The heart of a great blossom cookie lies in the peanut butter dough. The texture should be tender, slightly chewy, and just firm enough to hold its shape after pressing the chocolate into the center. Achieving that balance comes down to a few key factors:

• Choosing the right peanut butter: Use creamy peanut butter for the smoothest texture. Natural peanut butter can sometimes make the dough too oily or crumbly, but if that’s your preference, stir it thoroughly before measuring.

• Softened butter: Bringing your butter to room temperature before mixing helps it cream better with the sugar, leading to a lighter, fluffier cookie.

• Balanced sweetness: A mix of granulated and brown sugar creates both structure and chewiness. Brown sugar’s molasses content enhances the richness and moisture of the cookie.

• Proper mixing: Creaming the butter, peanut butter, and sugars until light and fluffy is essential, it incorporates air and sets the foundation for a tender crumb.

Chocolate: The Star Player on Top

The “blossom” in blossom cookies comes from the chocolate candy pressed into the center. For Football Blossom Cookies, you can use:

• Football-shaped chocolates: Specialty candies designed for seasonal or sports-themed baking. These often come pre-wrapped and decorated.

• Standard chocolate kisses: If football-shaped chocolates aren’t available, you can pipe white icing “laces” onto regular chocolate kisses to create the effect.

• Mini peanut butter cups: For an even more indulgent variation, press a mini peanut butter cup into the center instead of a chocolate kiss, then decorate with icing.

A helpful tip: add the chocolate while the cookies are still warm but not overly soft. This ensures they stick without melting into a puddle.

The Importance of Rolling in Sugar

Before baking, rolling the cookie dough balls in granulated sugar gives each cookie a delicate crunch on the outside while maintaining a soft, tender interior. It also adds a subtle sparkle, making them extra appealing on a dessert platter.

Some bakers like to use coarse sugar or sanding sugar for an even more pronounced sparkle, which can make them look like festive little footballs glistening under stadium lights.

Decorating Your Football Cookies

The white icing “laces” are what turn these from peanut butter blossoms into true football cookies. Here are some tips for neat and easy decorating:

1. Choose the right icing: Royal icing is a great option because it hardens as it dries. You can also use white chocolate melted and piped through a fine tip.

2. Piping tools: A piping bag with a very fine round tip works best for precise lines.

3. Steady hand technique: Rest your elbow on the counter as you pipe, this helps keep your hand steady for straight lines.

4. Timing: Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating, or the icing will melt.

Baking Tips for Perfect Results Every Time

• Don’t overbake: These cookies should be soft and slightly chewy. If you bake them until they’re fully golden, they may become too crisp once cooled. Remove them from the oven just as the edges start to turn golden.

• Space them out: The dough will spread slightly, so place cookies at least 2 inches apart.

• Cool on the baking sheet: Let them sit for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack, this helps set the structure so they don’t fall apart.

• Make ahead: You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours. Just bring it to room temperature before baking for the best texture.

Fun Variations to Try

While the traditional version is unbeatable, you can customize your Football Blossom Cookies in fun and creative ways:

• Flavored dough: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or espresso powder to the dough for an extra flavor twist.

• Chocolate cookie base: Swap out 1/4 cup of flour for cocoa powder to make a double-chocolate version.

• Nut-free option: Substitute sunflower seed butter for peanut butter for a similar texture and flavor without peanuts.

• Different candies: Use caramel-filled chocolates or truffles for a richer surprise in the center.

• Team colors: Use colored sugar that matches your team’s colors instead of plain granulated sugar for rolling.

Serving Suggestions for Game Day

Football Blossom Cookies are not just for dessert; they’re also a conversation starter at any gathering. Arrange them on a platter alongside other themed snacks like:

• Mini hot dogs or sliders

• Popcorn in paper cones with team logos

• Chips and salsa arranged in the shape of a football

• Chocolate-covered pretzels in team colors

They also make great party favors. Simply package a few in clear cellophane bags, tie with ribbon in your team’s colors, and you’ve got a take-home treat your guests will love.

Why They’re Perfect for All Ages

These cookies are a hit with both kids and adults. For kids, they’re a fun baking project, they can help roll the dough, press in the chocolates, and even practice piping the icing laces. For adults, they bring back nostalgic memories of childhood peanut butter cookies, elevated with a playful, sports-themed twist.

Plus, their bite-sized format means they’re easy to grab during halftime without needing a plate or utensils, perfect for a casual, high-energy environment like a football party.

Storage and Shelf Life

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, Football Blossom Cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days. If you want to make them ahead, they also freeze beautifully:

• To freeze unbaked dough: Shape into balls, roll in sugar, and freeze on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.

• To freeze baked cookies: Place cooled cookies in a single layer in a freezer container, separating layers with parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Conclusion

Football Blossom Cookies are more than just a dessert, they’re a celebration of flavor, tradition, and fun. With their tender peanut butter base, rich chocolate topping, and charming football lace design, they’re guaranteed to be the MVP of your game-day spread. Whether you’re hosting a big Super Bowl bash, attending a neighborhood tailgate, or simply watching the game at home with family, these cookies bring joy to the table.

The best part? They’re easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages. Once you serve them, you might find that they disappear faster than the game clock in the fourth quarter.

So next time football season rolls around, suit up your kitchen with some peanut butter, chocolate, and a little creative flair, because these cookies are always a winning play.