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