Peanut butter blossoms were created in 1957 by Freda Smith of Gibsonburg, Ohio, as a last-minute entry for the 9th Pillsbury Bake-Off. Originally called "Black-eyed Susans" because the Hershey's Kiss reminded her of a flower, the recipe was named "Peanut Blossoms" by Pillsbury, becoming an iconic, enduring American holiday cookie.