Can I make these cheesy thumbprints ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate it, or bake the thumbprints a day before and add the jelly shortly before serving for the freshest presentation.

What's the best cheese to use for cheesy thumbprints?

Sharp cheddar provides the best flavor balance, but you can experiment with Gruyère, smoked gouda, or even pepper jack for a different flavor profile while maintaining the classic cheesy thumbprint texture.

How spicy are these appetizers?

The spice level depends entirely on your choice of pepper jelly. You can select mild pepper jelly for a sweet-with-hint-of-heat experience or choose habanero pepper jelly for guests who enjoy more intense spiciness.

Can I freeze these cheesy thumbprints?

Yes! Freeze the baked but unfilled thumbprints for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add fresh jelly before serving.

Are there gluten-free options for this recipe?

Certainly! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The cheese content helps maintain the texture even with this substitution.

What can I use instead of hot pepper jelly?

If you prefer alternatives, try fig preserves with a pinch of cayenne, cranberry sauce with minced jalapeño, or even honey mixed with a small amount of sriracha for creative cheesy thumbprint variations.

Irresistible Cheesy Thumbprint Appetizers with Spicy Hot Pepper Jelly

Description

These Cheesy Thumbprint appetizers with hot pepper jelly combine the familiar comfort of cheese with an unexpected sweet-spicy kick. Perfect for parties, these bite-sized delights are surprisingly simple to prepare and guaranteed to impress your guests.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cheesy Thumbprint Base:
- 1 cup (8 oz) sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
For the Filling:
- ⅓ cup hot pepper jelly
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Add the shredded cheddar cheese, flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until just combined.
Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets.
Press your thumb or the back of a spoon into the center of each ball to create a well.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Let the thumbprints cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Spoon approximately ½ teaspoon of hot pepper jelly into each thumbprint.
Garnish with fresh thyme leaves.

Notes

For extra flavor depth, add ¼ teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce to the butter-cream cheese mixture.
Hand-grate your cheese rather than using pre-shredded varieties, as fresh-grated cheese melts more smoothly and contains no anti-caking agents.
The dough can be made up to 2 days ahead and kept refrigerated, making this recipe perfect for advance preparation.
For perfectly uniform cheesy thumbprints, use a small cookie scoop (1 tablespoon size) to portion the dough.
Rotate your baking sheets halfway through baking to ensure even browning.
Gently warm the pepper jelly for 10-15 seconds in the microwave to make it easier to spoon into the thumbprints.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Party Food
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 3 cheesy thumbprints
Calories: 215
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: Cheesy Thumbprint, Pepper Jelly, Appetizer, Party Food, Holiday Appetizer, Finger Food