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Southern Cheese Thumbprints Recipe

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3.8 from 21 reviews

Southern Cheese Thumbprints are delightful savory cookies featuring a tender, cheesy dough with a spicy kick, topped with a sweet and tangy hot pepper jelly center. Perfectly balanced with sharp cheddar, mustard, and cayenne, these finger-licking treats are baked until golden and crisp on the edges, making them an irresistible appetizer or snack.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups (about 8 1/2 oz.) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp. cornstarch
  • 2 tsp. powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. dry mustard
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 8 oz. extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
  • 3/4 cup (6 oz.) salted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 5 Tbsp. hot pepper jelly

Instructions

  1. Prepare oven and baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 400°F and place racks in the top third and lower third positions. Line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  2. Make flour mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, dry mustard, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt until well combined. Set aside.
  3. Combine cheese and butter: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and softened salted butter together until fully incorporated, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add egg and flour mixture: Crack in the large egg and continue beating until just combined, about 30 seconds. Gradually add the flour mixture, beating on low speed until the dough just comes together, roughly 1 minute.
  5. Form dough balls and create thumbprints: Roll the dough into 1 heaping tablespoon-sized balls and arrange them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Gently press your thumb into the center of each ball to create an indentation approximately 1/4 inch deep for the jelly filling.
  6. Fill with pepper jelly: Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of hot pepper jelly into each indentation, filling the thumbprint wells evenly.
  7. Bake the cookies: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, rotating the sheets from top to bottom halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. The cookies are ready when the bottoms are lightly browned.
  8. Cool: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pans for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes, before serving.

Notes

  • Use extra-sharp cheddar for bold flavor contrast against the sweet pepper jelly.
  • Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
  • Do not overfill the thumbprints with jelly to prevent spillage during baking.
  • These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
  • For a less spicy version, substitute the hot pepper jelly with a milder fruit jelly or jam.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/southern-cheese-thumbprints-recipe/