Description
Cheesy thumbprint appetizers with hot pepper jelly bring spicy excitement to party snacking. Small cheese pastry cups filled with zesty pepper jelly create perfect bite-sized delights you will savor at gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113 grams)
Seasoning:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra spice)
Filling:
- 1/2 cup hot pepper jelly
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat for optimal non-stick performance.
- Combine softened butter and shredded Cheddar cheese in a mixing bowl, blending until achieving a uniform, creamy consistency.
- Gradually incorporate flour, salt, and cayenne pepper into the butter-cheese mixture, gently working until a cohesive, soft dough forms.
- Craft uniform 1-inch dough spheres, strategically positioning them across the prepared baking sheet with approximately 1-inch spacing between each ball.
- Create distinct indentations in the center of each dough ball using your thumb or the curved back of a measuring spoon, ensuring a consistent well for jelly placement.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring until edges turn a delicate golden hue.
- After removing from the oven, allow appetizers to rest and slightly cool for 2-3 minutes to stabilize their structure.
- Carefully dollop a small portion of hot pepper jelly into the center thumbprint of each appetizer, ensuring even distribution.
- Serve immediately while warm or allow to cool to room temperature for a versatile appetizer option.
Notes
- Adjust the heat level by selecting different pepper jellies, ranging from mild to fiery hot versions for varied taste preferences.
- Gluten-free adaptation works perfectly by substituting regular flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Chilling the dough for 15-20 minutes before shaping helps prevent spreading and maintains crisp appetizer edges during baking.
- Experiment with cheese varieties like Gruyère or pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the recipe’s creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 138 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 157 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 23 mg