Description
These Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers are delicious bites filled with hot pepper jelly, perfect for any gathering!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and diced
- ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup hot pepper jelly (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, grated cheese, and seasonings.
- Add cold, diced butter, and use a pastry cutter or food processor to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Knead gently until the dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the baking sheet, 2 inches apart.
- Use your thumb or the back of a small spoon to press an indentation into the center of each ball.
- Spoon about ½ teaspoon of hot pepper jelly into each indentation. Be careful not to overfill.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Let cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of cayenne pepper.
- These can be made ahead and frozen before baking; just bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 appetizer
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg