Get flavors of two iconic Southern recipes in these cheese thumbprints.

No, they’re not just another shape for the classic Southern appetizer.

Finally, the cookies are finished with a dollop of pepper jelly before they’re baked to golden perfection.

Southern Living Cheese Thumbprints on a plate ready to serve

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Ingredients

2cups(about 8 1/2 oz.

Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

Add egg and beat until just combined, about 30 seconds.

Southern Living Cheese Thumbprints ingredients

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Add flour mixture; beat on low until just combined, about 1 minute.

Press your thumb lightly into the center of each ball to create an indention about 1/4-inch deep.

Fill each with 1/2 teaspoon pepper jelly.

parchment paper on baking sheet

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Sally McKay

Cool on baking sheets 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack and cool completely, about 20 minutes.

Southern Living Cheese Thumbprints whisking together the dry ingredients

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Cheese Thumbprints beating together the cheese and butter

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Cheese Thumbprints adding the rest of the ingredients to the cookie dough

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Cheese Thumbprints rolling the dough into balls

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Cheese Thumbprints making a well in the center of the cookie dough

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Cheese Thumbprints filling the cookies with jam

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Southern Living Cheese Thumbprint Cookies baked on a cooling rack

Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless