Get ready to discover your new favorite party food: Cheesy Thumbprint Bacon Jam appetizers. This recipe perfectly balances savory, sweet, and smoky flavors in one irresistible bite. Imagine a tender, buttery cheddar thumbprint cookie forming the perfect vessel for a generous dollop of rich, sweet and savory bacon jam. It’s the kind of appetizer that disappears from the platter in minutes and has everyone asking for the recipe. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, a game day get-together, or just craving a uniquely delicious snack, these savory thumbprints are guaranteed to impress.
We’re breaking down everything you need to know to make them perfectly every single time. From getting the cookie texture just right to tips on the bacon jam, this guide has you covered.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Thumbprint Bacon Jam Recipe
- Perfect Flavor Combination: The sharp cheddar cheese in the cookie dough beautifully complements the sweet and smoky bacon jam.
- Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer: These bites are unique, easy to eat, and universally loved, making them ideal for any gathering.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the components in advance to make party day assembly a breeze. We’ll show you how!
- Visually Stunning: The beautiful thumbprint shape and rich color of the jam make for a gorgeous presentation on any appetizer spread.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly gourmet appetizer. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Savory Cheddar Thumbprint Cookies
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our tender cookies.
- Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for a smooth, well-combined dough.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded cheese will melt and incorporate much better than pre-shredded varieties.
- Egg Yolk: Helps bind the dough and adds richness.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Enhances the savory flavors.
- Optional: A pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for a little extra kick.
For the Bacon Jam Filling
- Bacon: A good quality, thick-cut bacon will yield the best flavor and texture.
- Yellow Onion & Garlic: The aromatic base that builds the jam’s deep flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Adds the classic sweetness that makes bacon jam so addictive.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Cuts through the richness and adds a necessary tang.
- Maple Syrup: Lends a distinct, complementary sweetness.
- Coffee or Water: Adds liquid to help the jam simmer and reduce.
How to Make Cheesy Thumbprint Bacon Jam Appetizers Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious savory thumbprint cookies. It’s easier than you think!
Step 1: Prepare the Bacon Jam
Start by cooking the bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving about a tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet. Sauté the chopped onion until soft, then add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Add the brown sugar, vinegar, maple syrup, and coffee. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook down for 15-20 minutes, until it has thickened into a jam-like consistency. Chop the cooked bacon and stir it back into the jam.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and combined. Beat in the egg yolk. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 3: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a small spoon to press an indentation into the center of each dough ball. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. If the indentations have puffed up, gently press them down again while the cookies are still warm.
Step 4: Fill, Garnish, and Serve
Once the cookies have cooled slightly, spoon a small amount of the bacon jam into the indentation of each cookie. For a touch of freshness, you can garnish with finely chopped chives or parsley. Serve them warm and watch them disappear! For another fantastic appetizer idea, try these amazing Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts.
Tips for the Perfect Savory Thumbprints
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix until just combined to ensure a tender, crumbly cookie rather than a tough one.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly into the dough.
- Chill if Necessary: If your kitchen is warm and the dough feels too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
- Re-press the Indentations: It’s normal for the thumbprints to puff up during baking. Gently pressing them again right out of the oven ensures there’s enough room for the delicious bacon jam.
Creative Variations to Try
While the classic Cheesy Thumbprint Bacon Jam recipe is a stunner, feel free to get creative and make it your own!
Cheese Swaps
You can easily substitute the cheddar with other flavorful cheeses. Try using Gruyère for a nutty flavor, smoked Gouda for extra smokiness, or a spicy Pepper Jack to add some heat. Looking for another cheesy party favorite? This Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball (coming soon) is always a hit.
Herb and Spice Additions
Incorporate fresh or dried herbs into the cookie dough for another layer of flavor. Thyme, rosemary, or chives would all be excellent additions. A pinch of smoked paprika or mustard powder can also enhance the savory notes of the cheese.
How to Store and Make Ahead
These Cheesy Thumbprint Bacon Jam appetizers are perfect for planning ahead, which is a lifesaver when entertaining.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover appetizers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can enjoy them chilled or gently reheat them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes to warm them through.
Make-Ahead Instructions
- Bacon Jam: The bacon jam can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Cookie Dough: The cookie dough can be made and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator before rolling and baking.
- Baked Cookies: You can bake the thumbprint cookies (without the filling) a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature before filling and serving. This makes them a perfect party prep recipe, much like these Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Stuffed Dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can. For best results, freeze the baked and filled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven.
Absolutely! To save time, you can use your favorite brand of store-bought bacon jam. This recipe works perfectly with either homemade or pre-made jam.
Ensure your butter is at room temperature but not overly soft or melted. If your dough feels too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes before rolling the balls. This will help them hold their shape while baking.
These appetizers are fantastic on their own, but they also pair well with a simple cheese board, a glass of crisp white wine, or as part of a larger spread of party foods like stuffed mushrooms and shrimp cocktail.
A sharp cheddar is highly recommended for its strong, savory flavor that pairs wonderfully with the sweet bacon jam. However, Gruyère, smoked Gouda, or even a Monterey Jack would also be delicious alternatives.
Share Your Creations!
I can’t wait to see your take on these Cheesy Thumbprint Bacon Jam appetizers! They are a true showstopper for any occasion. If you make them, please leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out. And don’t forget to share a photo of your beautiful creations on Pinterest – I love seeing what you’re cooking up!
Cheesy Thumbprint Bacon Jam Appetizers
Cheesy Thumbprint Bacon Jam Appetizers
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, reserving 1 tbsp of grease in the skillet.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and coffee. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened to a jam-like consistency. Stir the cooked bacon back into the jam.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and shredded cheddar cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the egg yolk.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Use your thumb to press an indentation into the center of each ball.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and, if needed, gently re-press the indentations while the cookies are warm.
- Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. Spoon about a teaspoon of bacon jam into each thumbprint. Garnish with optional chopped chives and serve warm.
Notes
Tip 2: The bacon jam can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Tip 3: Don't overmix the cookie dough to ensure a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
