Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these appetizers are beginner-friendly.
- Versatile: Customize the flavors by swapping cheeses or adding herbs for a personal touch.
- Perfect for Entertaining: They’re bite-sized, elegant, and pack a surprising flavor punch.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: These can be prepared in advance and stored until needed.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter, softened
- All-purpose flour
- Salt
- Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Chopped walnuts (optional)
- Hot pepper jelly
Directions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, flour, salt, sharp cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and walnuts (if using).
- Mix: Use your hands or a pastry blender to mix the ingredients until they resemble coarse crumbs.
- Form Dough: Gradually add 2-3 tablespoons of ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls.
- Bake: Place the balls on ungreased baking sheets and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Fill with Jelly: Create a small indentation in the center of each cookie using your thumb. Spoon a small amount of hot pepper jelly into each indentation.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Approximately 20-24 appetizers, depending on size.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
- Spice Levels: Use a hotter pepper jelly or mix in a dash of cayenne pepper to the dough for extra heat.
- Herbal Twist: Add a teaspoon of dried oregano, thyme, or rosemary to the dough.
- Cheese Options: Swap cheddar and Parmesan with Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or Gouda for different flavor profiles.
- Nut-Free: Skip the walnuts for a nut-free version of the recipe.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store the appetizers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-7 minutes to restore their crisp texture.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. Thaw, bake, and fill with jelly as needed.
FAQs
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance or bake the cookies and fill them with jelly just before serving.
2. What’s the best way to soften butter quickly?
Cut the butter into smaller pieces and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
3. Can I use other types of jelly?
Absolutely! Try apricot, cranberry, or jalapeño jelly for different flavor combinations.
4. Do I need a pastry blender to mix the dough?
No, you can use your hands or even a fork to achieve the crumbly texture.
5. What can I use instead of walnuts?
Pecans or almonds are great substitutes, or you can omit nuts entirely.
6. Are these appetizers spicy?
They have a mild spice from the pepper jelly, but you can adjust the heat level based on your choice of jelly.
7. Can I make a gluten-free version?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking mix.
8. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading?
Chill the dough balls in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before baking.
9. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt to avoid over-seasoning.
10. How do I know when the cookies are done?
They should be lightly golden around the edges but not overly browned.
Conclusion
Cheesy thumbprint appetizers with hot pepper jelly are an irresistible combination of creamy, buttery dough, savory cheese, and sweet heat. Perfect for parties, holidays, or even as a savory snack, they’re simple to make and endlessly versatile. Try them with your favorite jelly or cheese variations for a personal twist. Enjoy!
Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 20-24 appetizers
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cheesy thumbprint appetizers with hot pepper jelly are a perfect blend of buttery, cheesy richness and a touch of spicy-sweet heat. These bite-sized treats are easy to make, customizable, and ideal for entertaining.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- Hot pepper jelly
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine butter, flour, salt, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and walnuts (if using).
- Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add 2-3 tablespoons of ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on ungreased baking sheets.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- Use your thumb to create an indentation in the center of each cookie, then fill with hot pepper jelly.
Notes
- For extra spice, choose a hotter jelly or add cayenne to the dough.
- Refrigerate dough balls for 10-15 minutes before baking to reduce spreading.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for 5 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
