Description
Savory cheesy jalapeño shortbread delivers a spicy-rich flavor profile perfect for appetizers or snack time. Crisp edges and buttery texture combine with sharp cheddar and zesty peppers, promising a memorable culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml) grated cheddar or pepper jack cheese
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
- 8 tbsps (½ cup / 113 g) cubed cold butter
- 2–3 jalapeño peppers, finely minced
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 lightly beaten egg
Instructions
- Ingredient Preparation: Thoroughly sift flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a fine, even mixture.
- Texture Development: Cut cold butter into the flour using a pastry cutter, working until the mixture resembles rough, sandy crumbs.
- Dough Formation: Introduce whisked egg, grated cheese, and minced jalapeños, folding gently until a unified dough emerges.
- Chilling Process: Form the dough into a compact sphere, wrap securely in plastic, and refrigerate for one hour to solidify and enhance flavor melding.
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease the surface.
- Shaping Technique: Extract chilled dough and roll into small, consistent balls roughly 1 inch in diameter.
- Baking Configuration: Position dough balls on the prepared sheet with sufficient spacing to prevent merging, then flatten each with the bottom of a glass for uniform thickness.
- Baking Cycle: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, monitoring until edges turn a delicate golden-brown and edges crisp slightly.
- Cooling Protocol: Let shortbread rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling, ensuring a perfectly crisp texture.
Notes
- Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerating the dough for a full hour helps develop rich flavor and prevents spreading during baking, ensuring perfectly structured shortbread.
- Handle Butter Carefully: Use cold butter and work quickly to maintain small, distinct butter pieces that create the signature flaky, tender texture of traditional shortbread.
- Manage Jalapeño Heat: Remove jalapeño seeds for milder flavor or keep them for extra spiciness; always finely chop to distribute heat evenly throughout the dough.
- Uniform Sizing Matters: Use a small cookie scoop or weigh each dough ball to guarantee consistent baking and professional-looking shortbread with even cooking times.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 256
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 208 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 53 mg