Description
Savory spicy cheddar jalapeño cookies blend sharp cheese with fiery peppers for an unexpected flavor adventure. Crisp edges and zesty center promise a memorable snack that delights curious palates and challenges traditional cookie expectations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups grated cheddar or pepper jack cheese
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 8 tbsps (½ cup) cold butter, cubed
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- ½ tsp salt
- 2–3 fresh jalapeño peppers, finely minced
Instructions
- Dry Foundation: Whisk flour and salt in a large mixing bowl until uniformly blended, establishing a consistent base for the savory cookies.
- Butter Integration: Incorporate cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture, using a pastry blender to break down the butter until the texture mimics coarse breadcrumbs, creating a crumbly foundation.
- Binding Elements: Introduce the whisked egg, gently folding it into the crumbly mixture to bind the ingredients without overworking the developing dough.
- Flavor Infusion: Fold cheddar cheese and chopped jalapeños throughout the mixture, ensuring an even distribution of zesty, sharp components.
- Dough Preparation: Form the mixture into a compact sphere, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 60 minutes to allow flavor melding and dough stabilization.
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F, positioning the rack centrally for optimal baking conditions.
- Shaping and Positioning: Roll chilled dough into 1-inch diameter spheres and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving adequate spacing between cookies.
- Compression Technique: Flatten each dough ball using the bottom of a glass, creating a gentle compression to promote even baking and consistent shape.
- Baking Process: Bake for 14-18 minutes until cookie edges transform to a golden-brown, indicating perfect doneness and crisp texture.
- Cooling Stage: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.
Notes
- Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerating the dough for at least an hour helps solidify butter, preventing spread and ensuring crisp, structured cookies with concentrated flavors.
- Handle Butter Carefully: Use cold butter and cut it into small cubes to create a flaky, tender texture that melts perfectly during baking.
- Manage Jalapeño Heat: Removing seeds reduces intense spiciness, allowing you to control the cookie’s heat level according to personal preference.
- Spacing Matters: Leave adequate room between cookies on the baking sheet to prevent merging and ensure even, consistent browning during baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg