Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly – Easy, Elegant Party Bites Recipe
Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Hot Pepper Jelly are easy-to-make, elegant party bites that combine a rich, creamy cheese dough with a spicy-sweet jelly topping. These bite-sized appetizers are perfect for entertaining, offering a delicious blend of cheddar and cream cheese flavors complemented by a warm, zesty pepper jelly finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes plus 3 minutes warming jelly
- Total Time: 41 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 appetizers 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Topping and Garnish
- 1/4 cup hot pepper jelly (for topping)
- Fresh herbs like parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Mix Cheeses and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Form Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the cheese mixture. Stir well until a soft dough forms. It may be sticky; this is normal.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for 15-20 minutes to firm it up, making it easier to scoop and shape.
- Form Balls and Create Thumbprints: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Press your thumb or a small spoon into the center of each ball to create a thumbprint indentation.
- Bake the Dough: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.
- Add Hot Pepper Jelly: Remove from the oven and immediately fill each thumbprint with a dollop of hot pepper jelly.
- Warm the Jelly: Return the baking sheet to the oven for another 2-3 minutes to warm the jelly.
- Cool and Garnish: Let the appetizers cool slightly. Optionally, sprinkle fresh herbs such as parsley or chives on top for color.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy thumbprints warm and enjoy these flavorful, elegant party bites.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent it from being too sticky to handle.
- Use a small spoon or your thumb to create the indentations without breaking the dough balls.
- Hot pepper jelly adds a spicy-sweet contrast but can be substituted with any fruit jelly if preferred.
- Fresh herbs are optional but enhance presentation and add a fresh note.
- Store leftover appetizers in an airtight container and reheat before serving for best taste.
Keywords: cheesy appetizers, party bites, thumbprint cookies, hot pepper jelly, easy appetizers, cheese snacks
