Description
Cheesy thumbprint appetizers with hot pepper jelly offer a perfect blend of creamy cheese and spicy jelly. Guests will savor these zesty bites that combine rich cream cheese with tangy pepper jelly for an irresistible party snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (100 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tbsps cold water
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) hot pepper jelly
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Workspace Preparation: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 375F (190C) for consistent heat distribution.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika in a medium bowl to create a robust flavor foundation.
- Cheese Base Assembly: Cream butter, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses until silky smooth. Blend in egg yolk and water, ensuring complete integration of liquid components.
- Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into cheese mixture, creating a cohesive, malleable dough with uniform consistency.
- Shaping and Indenting: Roll dough into tablespoon-sized spheres, positioning them 2 inches apart on prepared sheets. Craft a gentle thumb impression in each ball’s center, maintaining structural integrity.
- Initial Baking: Slide sheets into preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden brown. When warm, reinforce center wells using a spoon’s back to create perfect jelly reservoirs.
- Jelly Incorporation: Delicately spoon hot pepper jelly into each thumbprint’s center. Return to oven for 2-3 minutes to slightly warm the condiment.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow appetizers to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture, ideally within a few hours of preparation.
Notes
- Cheese Temperature Matters: Allow butter and cheeses to soften at room temperature for smooth, easy blending and consistent dough texture.
- Perfect Thumbprint Technique: Create indentations gently and uniformly, using the back of a rounded measuring spoon to maintain consistent depth without breaking the dough.
- Jelly Selection Strategy: Choose hot pepper jelly with balanced heat and sweetness; adjust spice levels based on personal preference or guest tolerance.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough balls in advance and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking, enhancing flavor development and saving preparation time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 23
- Calories: 106
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 135 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg