Spicy Pepper Jelly Puff Pastry Bites
These Spicy Pepper Jelly Puff Pastry Bites are a delightful treat that combines a rich, cheesy filling with a zesty hot pepper jelly center. Originating from a beloved Galveston-area church cookbook, this recipe offers a simple yet scrumptious appetizer or snack perfect for any gathering. The flaky, buttery pastry is filled with a sweet and spicy jelly, making each turnover an explosion of flavor. Easy to prepare, these turnovers can be made ahead of time and baked fresh when your guests arrive. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, you'll be serving up a crowd-pleaser in no time!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Flour
1 cup (Sifted)
Cheese Spread
1 (5 ounce) jar (Softened)
Margarine
1/2 cup (Softened)
Cold Water
1 tablespoon (Chilled)
Hot Pepper Jelly
2 tablespoons (Divided)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour with the cheese spread and margarine. Using a pastry blender, cut the fat into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2
Add the cold water and mix gently with a fork until the dough is just moistened. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
3
Form the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow it to chill and firm up.
4
After chilling, divide the dough in half. Keep one half chilled while rolling out the other on a well-floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
5
Use a 3-inch biscuit cutter to cut out rounds from the rolled dough.
6
Place 1/4 teaspoon of hot pepper jelly in the center of each round. Lightly moisten the edges of the dough with water.
7
Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and press the edges together firmly. Use a fork to crimp the edges for a secure seal.
8
Arrange the filled turnovers on a lightly greased baking sheet, spaced apart to allow for expansion during baking.
9
Repeat the rolling, cutting, and filling process with the remaining dough.
10
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the turnovers for 10-12 minutes or until they are golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on wire racks before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spicy Pepper Jelly Puff Pastry Bites?
They are a delightful appetizer combining a cheesy pastry filling with a zesty hot pepper jelly center, resulting in a flaky and buttery snack.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
This recipe requires 5 main ingredients: flour, cheese spread, margarine, cold water, and hot pepper jelly.
Where did this recipe originate?
This recipe comes from a beloved church cookbook in the Galveston area.
How do I prepare the dough for these bites?
Combine sifted flour with cheese spread and margarine using a pastry blender until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs, then gently mix in cold water.
How long should the dough be chilled?
The dough should be covered in plastic wrap and refrigerated for at least 4 hours to firm up.
What is the recommended thickness for rolling out the dough?
The dough should be rolled out on a well-floured surface to approximately 1/4 inch thickness.
What size cutter should I use for the pastry rounds?
A 3-inch biscuit cutter is recommended to create the rounds for the turnovers.
How much hot pepper jelly goes into each pastry?
Place 1/4 teaspoon of hot pepper jelly in the center of each dough round.
How do I seal the pastry bites?
Moisten the edges with water, fold the dough into a half-moon shape, and press the edges together firmly with a fork to crimp.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
How long do the turnovers need to bake?
Bake the bites for 10 to 12 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
Should the baking sheet be greased?
Yes, arrange the turnovers on a lightly greased baking sheet.
How should I cool the pastry bites?
After removing them from the oven, cool them on wire racks before serving.
Can these be made in advance?
Yes, these turnovers can be prepared ahead of time and baked fresh right when guests arrive.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, based on the ingredients provided, these pastry bites are suitable for a vegetarian diet.
What is the best way to handle the dough if it is too soft?
Ensure the dough is properly chilled for 4 hours and keep half of it in the refrigerator while working with the other half.
What kind of cheese is used in the dough?
The recipe calls for a 5-ounce jar of softened cheese spread.
What texture can I expect from the pastry?
The pastry is designed to be flaky, buttery, and rich due to the combination of margarine and cheese spread.
What type of flour should I use?
The recipe specifies 1 cup of sifted flour.
How much margarine is required?
You will need 1/2 cup of softened margarine.
How much water is added to the dough?
Only 1 tablespoon of chilled cold water is needed to moisten the dough.
Is the jelly used all at once?
The 2 tablespoons of hot pepper jelly are divided into 1/4 teaspoon portions for each individual bite.
Are these bites spicy?
Yes, they provide a zesty kick thanks to the hot pepper jelly center.
What shape are the finished bites?
They are shaped into half-moons.
Can I use a fork for more than mixing?
Yes, a fork is used both for mixing the water into the dough and for crimping the edges to seal them.
Why is it important not to overwork the dough?
Overworking the dough can lead to a tough pastry rather than the desired flaky texture.
How should I space them on the baking sheet?
Space them apart to allow for expansion during the baking process.
What type of tool is used to cut the fat into the flour?
A pastry blender is used to cut the margarine and cheese spread into the flour.
What is the total preparation difficulty?
This is considered an easy recipe with minimal prep time and simple steps.
What category of dish is this?
This dish is categorized as an appetizer, snack, or party food.