🧀 Cheesy Jalapeño Shortbread Bites 🌶️  
The perfect blend of spice and cheese, these bites are a family-approved snack that won’t last long!  



🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️  

- 🌶️ 23 fresh jalapeño peppers, finely minced  
- 🧈 8 tablespoons cold butter, cubed  
- 🧀 2 cups grated cheddar or pepper jack cheese  
- 🥚 1 egg, lightly beaten  
- 🥄 1/2 teaspoon salt  
- 🍞 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour  



🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳  

1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and salt for even distribution.  
2. Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture and, using a pastry blender or two forks, blend the butter until the mixture forms a crumbly texture.  
3. Gently stir in the lightly beaten egg until just combined. Avoid over-mixing!  
4. Fold in the grated cheese and minced jalapeños, incorporating everything to form a cohesive dough.  
5. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.  
6. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  
7. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it into 1-inch balls. Arrange the balls on the parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they are about 2 inches apart.  
8. Flatten each ball slightly using the flat bottom of a jar or glass, giving each ball that classic shortbread shape.  
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 14–18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.   
10. Allow the baked shortbreads to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.  



🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎  
(Per serving, based on approximately 12 pieces)  
- Calories: ~140  
- Protein: 4g  
- Carbs: 8g  
- Fats: 10g  
- Fiber: 0.5g  

Note: Nutritional values may vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.  



💡 Tips and Tricks 💡  

- Wear gloves when handling jalapeños to protect your hands from the spice.  
- For a less spicy version, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños before mincing them.  
- Experiment with cheese! Try a mix of cheddar and pepper jack, or opt for gouda for a different flavor profile.  
- These shortbreads freeze wonderfully. Simply cool them completely, store them in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 2 months.  



⏳ Preparation Time 🍰  
Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 15 minutes | Chilling time: 1 hour | Serves: ~12 pieces  

Enjoy these crispy, cheesy, spicy bites with your favorite beverages or alongside a hearty soup! 🧀🌶️