Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly Recipe
These Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly are a delightful blend of savory cheddar and sweet, spicy jelly, perfect for entertaining or snacking. Soft, buttery dough balls are baked to golden perfection, then filled with a flavorful hot pepper jelly for a fun and tasty bite-sized treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (approximately 24 appetizers) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (can substitute with pepper jack or other cheese)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- ½ cup hot pepper jelly (can experiment with different jelly flavors)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if desired for easy cleanup.
- Mix Butter and Cheese: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Form Dough: Add all-purpose flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the butter-cheese mixture. Stir until a dough forms. If the dough feels too crumbly, add a teaspoon of water to help it come together smoothly.
- Shape Balls: Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 teaspoon in size each. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Create Thumbprints: Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, gently press in the center of each dough ball to create a small indentation for the jelly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool and Fill: Remove the baked dough balls from the oven and let them cool slightly. Fill each indentation with a small spoonful of hot pepper jelly.
- Serve: Serve the appetizers warm or at room temperature and enjoy these cheesy, spicy bites!
Notes
- You can substitute cheddar cheese with other cheeses like pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
- If dough is too crumbly, adding a teaspoon of water helps it bind better.
- Try different flavors of jelly like apricot or raspberry to customize your appetizers.
- These are best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Make sure not to overfill the thumbprints to prevent jelly from overflowing during serving.
Keywords: cheesy appetizers, thumbprint cookies, hot pepper jelly, easy party snacks, savory bites
