Cheese Jalapeno Jelly Thumbprints

Little Jack Horner

Sat in a corner,

Eating a Christmas pie.

He put in his thumb

And pulled out a 'thumbprint',

And said,

What a Good Boy Am I!

At least that's our version for this new twist on thumbprint cookies for your next nursery rhyme baby shower.

Ingredients:   

• 1 8oz block sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp ground red pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup toasted pecan halves, finely ground
• 1/3 cup jalapeno pepper jelly

Directions:   

• Process first 4 ingredients in a food processor until blended.
• Add flour, ground red pepper,and salt.
• Process until dough forms a ball, stopping often to scrap down sides.
• Shape dough into a disc; cover and chill 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
• Let dough stand at room temperature 5 minutes.
• Shape dough into 1 inch balls.
• Roll balls in ground pecans.
• Place balls 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
• Press thumb in center of the ball to make an identation.
• Bake for 14 minutes or until browned.
• Immediately fill each center with a heaping 1/4 tsp of jelly, pressing gently into cookie with back of spoon.
• Remove from baking pans to a wire rack to cool.
• Store in an airtight between layers of wax paper for up to 2 days.

Makes about 3 dozen thumbprint cookies.

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