I absolutely adore this recipe because it seamlessly combines the rich, buttery goodness of shortbread with the savory kick of sharp cheddar and optional cayenne, making my taste buds dance with delight. Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about baking these little bites of comfort from scratch and enjoying them fresh out of the oven or at room temp with friends.
I love making my Shortbread Cheese Pies when I’m in the mood for a savory snack. They combine 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour with 1/2 cup of grated sharp cheddar cheese for a rich, melty filling that gets a warm, zippy kick from the optional 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Chilled, diced unsalted butter and a not-too-sweet 1/4 cup of granulated sugar ensure the pie crusts are flaky and tender, plus they keep the pies from being too cloying.
Ingredients
The fundamental element supplying structure and carbohydrates is all-purpose flour.
Butter that is not salted: Enriches and produces a tender, flaky texture.
Cheddar cheese: Offers a protein-packed, pleasantly sharp flavor.
Adds a hint of sweetness to balance flavors: Granulated sugar.
Cayenne pepper: Delivers a gentle spicy kick; opportune for heat preference.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon ice water
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
1. Your oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C), and a baking sheet should be lined with parchment paper.
2. In a big mixing bowl, mix together the ingredients of flour, sugar, and salt.
3. Diced chilled butter is added to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and, if desired, cayenne pepper.
5. Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just starts to come together. You may not need to add all the water.
6. Lightly flour a surface and turn the dough onto it. Knead the dough gently into a ball, forming a cohesive whole.
7. The dough should be rolled out to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. A round cookie cutter should be used to cut the dough into circular shapes.
8. Put the cut rounds onto the baking sheet that you prepared. Brush the tops with the beaten egg to ensure that the pies finish with a golden appearance.
9. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden brown.
10. Take out of the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy your Shortbread Cheese Pies warm or at room temperature.
Equipment Needed
1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Pastry cutter (or fingertips)
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Grater (for cheese)
8. Rolling pin
9. Smooth, clean surface (for rolling dough)
10. Round cookie cutter
11. Pastry brush
12. Wire rack
FAQ
- What type of cheese works best for this recipe?For their strong flavor, which complements the buttery shortbread, grated sharp cheddar cheese is recommended.
- Can I omit the cayenne pepper?The cayenne is optional and can be omitted, if a moderately flavored dish is preferred.
- Is it necessary to use unsalted butter?Controlling salt in the recipe is best accomplished with unsalted butter. That’s what I prefer, anyway. You can also use salted butter, but then you have to reduce or omit the extra salt in the recipe.
- Can I prepare the dough in advance?The dough can indeed be prepared in advance and kept in the refrigerator for as long as 2 days or stored in the freezer for as long as 1 month.
- What is the purpose of the egg wash?The pies achieve a glossy, golden finish when baked, thanks to the egg wash that was applied prior to baking.
- How do I know when the pies are done baking?When they are slightly golden around the edges and firm to the touch, the cheese pies made with shortbread pastry are ready.
Substitutions and Variations
1/2 cup salted butter (omit added salt since you’re using salted butter) instead of unsalted butter
1/4 cup powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar for a texture that’s finer.
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese instead of sharp cheddar cheese for a different flavor profile
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika rather than cayenne pepper yields smoky, less spicy heat.
1 tablespoon lemon juice in place of ice water for a slight tang
Pro Tips
1. Chilling the Dough: After you’ve formed the dough into a ball, try wrapping it in plastic wrap and chilling it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will help firm up the butter, making the dough easier to roll out and contributing to a flakier texture.
2. Grating Cheese: Use the finest side of the box grater for the cheddar cheese. Finely grated cheese will distribute more evenly throughout the dough, enhancing the cheesy flavor in every bite.
3. Consistency of Butter: Ensure the butter is properly chilled before incorporating it into the flour mixture. Cold butter creates steam as it melts during baking, contributing to the flaky texture of the pies.
4. Preventing Toughness: Be careful not to over-knead the dough. Overworking it can develop gluten, which may result in a tougher texture. Knead just until the dough comes together for the best results.
5. Optional Add-ins: For an extra flavor boost, try adding a sprinkle of herbs such as rosemary or thyme to the dough. This can add an interesting aromatic dimension to the savory profile of the shortbread cheese pies.
Shortbread Cheese Pies Recipe
My favorite Shortbread Cheese Pies Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Pastry cutter (or fingertips)
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Grater (for cheese)
8. Rolling pin
9. Smooth, clean surface (for rolling dough)
10. Round cookie cutter
11. Pastry brush
12. Wire rack
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon ice water
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions:
1. Your oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C), and a baking sheet should be lined with parchment paper.
2. In a big mixing bowl, mix together the ingredients of flour, sugar, and salt.
3. Diced chilled butter is added to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and, if desired, cayenne pepper.
5. Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just starts to come together. You may not need to add all the water.
6. Lightly flour a surface and turn the dough onto it. Knead the dough gently into a ball, forming a cohesive whole.
7. The dough should be rolled out to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. A round cookie cutter should be used to cut the dough into circular shapes.
8. Put the cut rounds onto the baking sheet that you prepared. Brush the tops with the beaten egg to ensure that the pies finish with a golden appearance.
9. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden brown.
10. Take out of the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy your Shortbread Cheese Pies warm or at room temperature.
