Cheesy Jalapeño Shortbread Recipe
Cheesy Jalapeño Shortbread is a delightful savory treat combining the rich flavors of sharp cheddar cheese and spicy jalapeños in a buttery, crumbly shortbread cookie. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, these shortbreads offer a balanced blend of heat and cheese with a satisfying texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 shortbread cookies 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Flavorings
- 2 cups grated cheddar or pepper jack cheese
- 2–3 fresh jalapeño peppers, finely minced
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt, thoroughly mixing to evenly distribute the salt.
- Cut in Butter: Using a pastry knife or two forks, cut the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture until the texture becomes dry and crumbly, resembling coarse crumbs.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Flavorings: Stir in the beaten egg, then fold in the grated cheddar or pepper jack cheese and finely minced jalapeños. Mix gently until the dough comes together and is evenly distributed.
- Chill the Dough: Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up and make it easier to handle.
- Preheat Oven and Shape Cookies: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll into 1-inch balls. Place them on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Flatten the Cookies: Use the bottom of a flat mug or jar to gently press down each ball slightly, flattening them for even baking.
- Bake: Bake the shortbreads for 14-18 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown, indicating they are fully baked.
- Cool and Serve: Let the shortbreads cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving. Enjoy your cheesy, spicy savory cookies!
Notes
- Use pepper jack cheese for extra spice or sharp cheddar for a milder flavor.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños based on your preferred spice level.
- Make sure the butter is cold to achieve the ideal crumbly shortbread texture.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Keywords: Cheesy shortbread, Jalapeño cookies, Savory snack, Spicy cheese biscuit, Appetizer
Find it online: https://messykitchenmagic.com/cheesy-jalapeno-shortbread-recipe/
