Cheddar Jalapeno Shortbread Cookies

Minced jalapeno pepper and grated cheddar cheese are mixed with shortbread cookie dough to create this savory cookie recipe. These icebox cookies are chilled, cut and then baked.

These cheddar jalapeno shortbread cookies are one of the more unique recipes I have made. This cookie is one part sweet and another part savoury. It works as a dessert and also almost as a sweet cracker.

Yesterday I shared one of my favourite ingredient pairings. Butter crunch toffee alongside chocolate tastes decadent and delicious and yesterday’s recipe if Chocolate Chip Skor Toffee Cookie Bars were outstanding. Another ingredient pairing that I love is jalapeno pepper and cheddar cheese.

Everything from jalapeno poppers, biscuits, tacos and salad – jalapeno along with cheddar cheese tastes wonderful.

Minced jalapeno pepper and grated cheddar cheese are mixed with shortbread cookie dough to create this savory cookie recipe. These icebox cookies are chilled, cut and then baked.

This morning I was craving a savory cookie and knew that I had some fresh jalapeno peppers in the fridge. Truth be told, I almost always have jalapenos in the fridge.

Shortbread cookies are a great way to make a savory cookie. I cut the sugar in half from my regular shortbread cookie recipe and add various savory ingredients. It is amazing how well these cheddar jalapeno shortbread turned out.

These cookies are icebox shortbread, meaning that they are rolled into logs, chilled and then cut into slices. So easy and so delicious. The jalapeno and cheddar work so well alongside the buttery shortbread.

Be careful when handling the dough as the jalapeno juice could get on your hands and sting. You may want to use disposable plastic gloves.

Cut the cookie dough logs into slices about half inch thick

Chilling the cookie dough logs allows you to cut even slices creating uniform cookies.

Place the cookie dough slices on a baking sheet. I bake cookies on a sheet lined with parchment paper. It prevents the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet. Bake the cookies in a 350F oven for about 12 minutes.

These cheddar jalapeno shortbread cookies are so good! They work on so many different levels – Spicy, cheesy, buttery and just plain delicious.

Minced jalapeno pepper and grated cheddar cheese are mixed with shortbread cookie dough to create this savory cookie recipe. These icebox cookies are chilled, cut and then baked.

Other Cheddar Jalapeno Recipes

I love the combination of cheddar and jalapeño. Over the years I have used this combination in many different recipes. Check some of these out!

Cheddar Jalapeno Shortbread Cookies

Minced jalapeno pepper and grated cheddar cheese are mixed with shortbread cookie dough to create this savory cookie recipe. These icebox cookies are chilled, cut and then baked.
5 out of 5
7 reviews
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Minced jalapeno pepper and grated cheddar cheese are mixed with shortbread cookie dough to create this savory cookie recipe.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 48 cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh jalapeno

Instructions

  • Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until smooth.
  • Slowly beat in the flour until it is fully combined and is an even consistency.
  • Mix in the cheddar cheese and minced jalapeno pepper.
  • Divide the cookie dough in thirds. Roll each portion into an 8 inch log. Chill the logs in the fridge for 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven for 350F.
  • Cut each log into 1/2 inch cookie slices as seen in the photo above. You should get about 16 slices per log. Place the cookies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake in the oven for 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Categories

Minced jalapeno pepper and grated cheddar cheese are mixed with shortbread cookie dough to create this savory cookie recipe. These icebox cookies are chilled, cut and then baked.

Did you try this recipe?

Leave a comment and let me know how it turned out. Or, take a picture to share on Instagram and tag me @theblackpeppercorn.

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29 comments

  • What a unique twist! I can’t wait to try these. I am always a fan of cheese and jalapeno!

    • Reply
  • My mouth is watering! Those looks soooo good. Thanks for sharing 🙂

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  • These sound fantastic! I want to make them to go along with some chili. Do they really not need any salt?

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    • no additional salt is needed. Cheddar cheese has salt in it and the sodium can clearly be tasted in the cookie.

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  • Crazy, crazy cookies!!! But sweet and spicy – definitely a cookie that I would absolutely love!

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  • I am afraid to make these for fear of eating every single one. Jalapeno + cheddar is a winner in my book!

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  • Whoa. These look AMAZING!! Thanks for a wonderful recipe, Steve!!

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  • Congrats on Top 9! These cookies look delicious. I love jalapeno. Can I use packaged grated cheddar cheese instead of buying a block of cheddar cheese?

    Thanks.

    • Reply
    • Thanks! Sure you could use the prepackaged grated kind. The one thing I would suggest though is to try and get old/sharp cheddar. Some grated cheddars can be of the mild and/or processed variety and others are mixed with mozzarella. When melted, I find that more moisture comes out of the milder kinds of cheeses. Personally I prefer drier cheeses in the savoury cookies (sharp cheddar, parmesan, etc) over mozzarella, colby, etc. Hope that helps!

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  • Dang, these look good! This is going on my to-do list. Just found your blog thru the Top 9. I’ll be baack!

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  • These look wonderful!! Am I a horrible person for thinking they would ROCK with some cheesey bean dip?

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  • I’ve never seen savoury shortbread before but I love jalapenos and cheddar so they sound really tasty.

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  • well done! These look so delicious. I will have to make these ASAP! 🙂

    Congrats on Top 9 🙂

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  • These sound incredible! I can’t wait to try them … thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  • I participate in a group called #baketogether and we all do our own take on the leaders suggested recipe. Last month it was savory shortbread and now there are one of my favorite things. Love this!

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  • Oh, how yummy, Steve!!!! Congrats on your well deserved Top 9 today 🙂

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    • 5 stars
      I cant get enough of these when my wife makes them even though she and the kids won’t try em

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  • What a great appetizer cookie…love the combo of flavors! Thanks!

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  • steve, this is the best thing I have seen in a while! I WILL Be making these as soon as I return to town next week!

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  • Oh yes… this is a definite keeper!! I love jalapeno anything… this would not last long in my house. 🙂

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  • My hubs and son would go bonkers for these. Very inspired cookies.

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  • This is a combo I love. In fact I was in the mood for some jalopeno, cheddar corn bread this weekend. Your shortbread cookies are a great take on those flavors. Looking good!

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  • Yes, these cookies are ones that would be popular in the Cantina’s of south Texas as well as my house. The word jalapeno around here does bring people to the table! Your craving was a great inspiration for these and this looks like a tasty way to squelch that craving. Well done!

    • Reply

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