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Cheesy Thumbprint Cookies with Red & Green Pepper Jelly

These cheesy thumbprint cookies are a savory holiday appetizer made with buttery sharp cheddar dough and filled with sweet-spicy red and green pepper jelly. They’re festive, make-ahead friendly, and perfect for holiday parties, cheese boards, or as a savory addition to a Christmas cookie spread.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
SERVINGS: 16 cookies

Ingredients

For the Red & Green Pepper Jelly

  • 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 small red chili pepper seeded and chopped
  • 1/2 green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 small jalapeño pepper seeded and chopped
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar divided
  • 1 cup coconut sugar divided
  • 2 teaspoons pectin divided

For the Cheesy Thumbprint Cookies

  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 small egg
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons arrowroot starch
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese grated

Instructions

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  • Make red and green pepper jellies separately and cool.
  • Beat butter, egg, and sugar; add remaining cookie ingredients.
  • Chill dough, shape, indent, and bake.
  • Re-indent and fill with pepper jelly.

Notes

  • Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor. Mild cheddar will result in bland cookies.
  • Do not overwork the dough or the cookies may become rubbery.
  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to help the cookies hold their shape while baking.
  • Press the indent gently. Pressing too deeply can cause thin bottoms that overbake.
  • For even baking, make sure all dough balls are roughly the same size (just over 1 ounce each).
  • The pepper jelly will continue to thicken as it cools. Allow it to reach room temperature before filling the cookies.
  • You can use only red or only green pepper jelly if you prefer a simpler look.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 114mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 412IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg