Jam and cheese together, have always been a winning combo in my book. And I already knew that Cheddar Shortbread was delicious! In fact, I mentioned them in my post, titled Five Star Appetizers!
These Cheddar shortbread cookies are an easy appetizer that only has 3 ingredients, Cheddar, butter, and flour. Now add a forth ingredient, pepper jelly, and you’ll have just taken Cheddar Shortbread to a whole new level. These are brilliant!
I needed an appetizer that would go with a Mexican themed dinner, but it needed to be able to travel a few hours. I didn’t want to bake anything or do any reheating. So when I found these Pepper Jelly Cookies over at Michelle’s blog, Big Black Dog, I knew I had hit gold! Pepper Jelly Gold!
I received some homemade pepper jelly for Christmas last year and I was waiting for something special to use it on. These were that special!
In fact, you better double the recipe. I’m just warning ya!
These WILL be made again, and again, and again.
Worthy of any special day.
In fact, I now want to make my own liquid gold (pepper jelly) this summer, just for these cookies. Plus you can use the leftover jelly for many things, including My Killer Sandwich!
Cheddar Thumbprint Cookies with Pepper Jelly
Recipe found at Big Black Dog
2 cups Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
3/4 stick (6 TBSP) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup flour
1/3 cup hot pepper jelly
Place cheese and butter in a food processor (could be creamed by hand or mixer); add flour and process until the mixture forms a soft dough. Gather up the dough and divide into two flat disks. Wrap in wax paper and freeze until chilled, about 45 minutes. (You really don’t need to chill the dough)
Preheat to 400°.
Using 1 teaspoon dough for each, roll the dough into small balls and place 1 inch apart on parchment lined sheets. Bake 5 minutes. Remove from the oven. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, (A small spoon worked for me) poke an indentation in each cookie. Place 1/4 teaspoon of the jelly in each indentation, or enough to fill.
Return to the oven and bake, switching the positions of the sheets from top to bottom halfway through baking, until the tops are very lightly browned, about 10 minutes. (Cookies will continue to crisp as they cool.) Transfer to racks and cool completely. Recipe makes about 20 cookies.
Can be baked up to two days ahead. Store at room temperature in an airtight container and separate layers with wax paper.
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I have never seen a savory thumbprint! These are brilliant.
I’ve made cheddar crackers before and served them with pepper jelly but I’m really, really liking this thumbprint idea!
I love the idea of savory thumbprints! and the combo of cheddar with pepper jelly sounds incredible! This is awesome!
Oh, Megan! I saw these yesterday here on the table pic and knew I was going to have to come back after the 411. Wow! A friend of ours gave us some homemade hot pepper jellies – red and green – for Christmas and now I know exactly what is going to happen with them. I love savory and sweet together – and throw in a little cheese.
Ummmm . . . . I’m so there! Thanks, girl!
It’s afternoon here, and I’m ready to have these as a savory snack right this minute! All the good stuff is in these, Megan. Many thanks to you, and Big Black Dog, for sharing.
These look delicious, I can’t wait to try them. What a unique idea too.
Oooh, you did not disappoint, I read the title of this post and hoped it was going to be some savoury thumbprint cookies with red jelly in them… they sound marvellous!
Oh I bet they were amazing! I’d love to try these, but would have to give them away, I like with a house full of chickens, no one would try them but me LOL!
fabulous!! i was taken with just the title, i love these!
I remember seeing these on Michelle’s site and drooling. Yours look marvelous as well. I have no doubt they are addictive little devils:D
Oh man. Sometimes, you CAN improve a classic. I see baking in my weekend…
GREAT JOB!
So happy that you enjoyed the cookies! They are my favorite cookie too and I just might have to make some today! And yes double the recipe for sure!
Jam and cheese makes a duckie pleased!
Oooh. Yum. I love pepper jelly over cream cheese and spread onto crackers. I can just imagine how good these taste!
Megan~I like the switch from the traditional jam print recipe. I will have to give this a try. My favorite are the spicy jellies with cream cheese and crackers. This definitely bumps it up a notch!
Sweet wishes,
Sara
These sound totally delicious! Love the the savory cheese thumbprints. Very unique!
These are brilliant! I’m making these next time I need an appetizer.
Fun, savory and delicious is an unbeautable combination. You aske about molds for the carrots. Test the mold. I don’t think you be able to get the pudding out. I hope I’m wrong. Blessings…Mary
Savory thumbprints? Now that’s hot!
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. Everybody move out of my way, I want these all to myself.
These sound irresistible! I love the combination of cheese and pepper jelly.