These Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly are a savory twist on the classic holiday cookie, combining a rich cheddar shortbread base with a zesty, sweet-and-spicy filling. They are buttery, bite-sized, and packed with flavor, making them the perfect finger food for any gathering.
With a tender, crumbly cheese texture and a jewel-like center of hot pepper jelly, these appetizers look elegant but are incredibly simple to make.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: These savory bites offer a delicious contrast between the sharp, salty cheddar cheese base and the sweet heat of the pepper jelly.
- Texture: The dough bakes up like a savory shortbread crisp on the edges and tender in the middle filled with sticky, warm jelly.
- Time: 10 minutes active prep, 30 minutes chill time, 10 minutes bake time.
- Difficulty: Easy. The food processor does all the mixing work for you.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a food processor to blend the cold butter and cheese into a dough. You will also need a baking sheet for cooking the appetizers. The ingredient list is short and sweet, requiring just flour, butter, plenty of cheddar cheese, and your favorite jar of hot pepper jelly.
Ingredient Notes
- Cheddar Cheese – You need 2 cups of shredded cheddar. Sharp cheddar is recommended for the most pronounced cheese flavor against the butter and flour.
- Butter – It is essential that the butter is chilled and chopped. Cold butter creates the flaky, shortbread-like texture of the dough.
- All-Purpose Flour – This binds the cheese and butter together to form the dough ball.
- Hot Pepper Jelly – This provides the “thumbprint” filling. It adds a pop of color and a spicy-sweet kick that complements the rich cheese.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Cheese Varieties – While cheddar is classic, you could experiment with other hard cheeses like Gouda or Parmesan, though the texture of the dough may vary slightly.
- Jelly Swap – If you want to avoid spice, you can use a sweet jam like apricot or raspberry, though you will lose the savory-spicy contrast.
- Garnish – A sprinkle of chopped pecans or chives on top right after baking adds a nice texture.
How to Make Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly
- Blend the Dough: Gather all ingredients. Place the shredded Cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, and chopped chilled butter in a food processor. Blend until the dough reaches a coarse-meal texture and begins to form into a ball.
- Chill: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This helps the butter firm up so the balls hold their shape in the oven.
- Shape: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Remove the dough from the fridge and shape it into 1 1/2-inch balls. Place them 1-inch apart on a baking sheet.
- Initial Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes.
- Indent and Fill: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Carefully press your thumb into the top of each ball, creating an indentation. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of hot pepper jelly into each indentation.
- Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake until the edges are golden brown, about 5 minutes longer.
Pro Tip: If the dough balls are too hot to press with your actual thumb after the initial bake, use the back of a round teaspoon measuring spoon or a small tart tamper to create the perfect indentation without burning your fingers.
Recipe Tips
- Use Cold Ingredients: Just like making pie crust or biscuits, keeping the butter cold is key to a tender texture. Do not let the butter soften on the counter.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often has a coating that prevents clumping, which can stop the dough from binding properly. Grating your own block of cheddar yields the best results.
- Watch the Bake Time: These bake quickly. Keep an eye on them during the second bake to ensure the jelly doesn’t bubble over too much and the bottoms don’t burn.
FAQs
- Can I make the dough ahead? Yes, you can make the dough ball and keep it wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before shaping and baking.
- Are these spicy? The heat level depends entirely on the brand of hot pepper jelly you buy. Most are mild-medium, but check the label if you are sensitive to spice.
- Do I need to grease the pan? The dough contains a good amount of butter and cheese (oil), so they generally release easily, but using parchment paper is always a safe bet for easy cleanup.
Serving Suggestions
- Holiday Platter: These look festive and beautiful on a Christmas or holiday appetizer tray.
- Wine Pairing: The sharp cheddar and spice pair wonderfully with a glass of white wine or sparkling cider.
- Soup: Serve alongside a bowl of tomato soup or chili for a savory side.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Freezing Dough: You can freeze the unbaked dough balls. Thaw them in the fridge before baking as directed.
- Storage: Baked appetizers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat gently in the oven to crisp them up.
Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 Appetizers 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly are a savory twist on the classic holiday cookie, combining a rich cheddar shortbread base with a zesty, sweet-and-spicy filling. They are buttery, bite-sized, and packed with flavor, making them the perfect finger food for any gathering. With a tender, crumbly cheese texture and a jewel-like center of hot pepper jelly, these appetizers look elegant but are incredibly simple to make.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar is recommended)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons chilled butter, chopped
- 1/2 cup hot pepper jelly
Instructions
Blend the Dough
Place the shredded Cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, and chopped chilled butter in a food processor. Blend until the mixture reaches a coarse-meal texture and begins to clump together into a ball.
Chill the Dough
Remove the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This chilling step helps the butter firm up, ensuring the appetizers hold their shape during baking.
Shape and Preheat
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it into 1 1/2-inch balls. Place the balls 1 inch apart on a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup).
Initial Bake
Bake the balls in the preheated oven for 5 minutes.
Indent and Fill
Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Carefully press your thumb (or the back of a rounded teaspoon) into the center of each ball to create an indentation. Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of hot pepper jelly into each well.
Final Bake
Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the cheese dough edges are golden brown. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Grate Your Own Cheese: For the best texture, buy a block of sharp cheddar and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded bagged cheese contains anti-caking agents that can prevent the dough from binding together properly.
Save Your Fingers: If the dough is too hot to touch after the initial bake, use the back of a round teaspoon measuring spoon or a tart tamper to make the indentations comfortably.
Cold Ingredients: Keep the butter chilled until the very last second. Just like pie crust, cold butter is essential for creating that flaky, tender shortbread texture.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Appetizer
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: cheesy thumbprints, hot pepper jelly appetizer, savory shortbread, cheddar cheese bites, holiday appetizers, finger food recipes, easy party snacks
