Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly:
Recipe Info: These appetizers are bite-sized cheesy thumbprint cookies made with sharp cheddar cheese and spices, topped with sweet and spicy hot pepper jelly. They offer a perfect balance of savory and sweet, making them an addictive and crowd-pleasing snack.
Ingredients
- 2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 6 tablespoons chilled butter chopped
- ½ cup hot pepper jelly
Instructions
- Blend cheese, flour, butter, and spices in a food processor until the dough is coarse and forms a ball.
- Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place 1 inch apart on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 9 minutes, then remove and make an indentation in each ball using the back of a melon ball scooper or your thumb.
- Fill each indentation about three-quarters full with hot pepper jelly.
- Return to the oven and bake until edges are golden brown, about 9 more minutes.
- Cool before serving.
Notes
- Using a melon ball scooper helps create uniform sizes and indentations.
- Adding spices like smoked paprika and garlic enhances flavor depth.
- These can be prepared smaller or larger depending on preference.
- Let cool before transferring to avoid jelly spills.
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