Thursday, September 15, 2011

Peach and Jalapeno Jam Thumbprint Cookies - Three Ways



I was standing there at the farm stand staring aimlessly at the choices in front of me, when out of nowhere these peaches and jalapenos gleamed my way.  I had to throw my stunner shades on; the intense radiation coming off of them was starting to pierce my skin.

These were not your ordinary peaches and jalapenos; I'm pretty sure these were cast members from Glee or something.  They sure as heck weren't your "Real" Housewives.  I know I've seen these guys before somewhere; maybe it was on that short stint of "Jesus Christ Superstar" I was in.  

Rico Suave in the front there with his jalapeno chapeau on was killing me with his Hola Sexy SeƱorita, quiero ir tubbing caliente pick-up line.  Oh, I'll give you the hot tubbing time of your life all right.  Hop into my jam pot and I'll crank up the heat for you.


Peach and Jalapeno Jam
2 lbs. yellow peaches
2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
1 cup granulated sugar
Juice of one lemon
1 oz. tequila
1 tbsp. low-sugar powdered pectin 

Peel the peaches with a sharp paring knife, remove pits and cut into 1/2" sized pieces.

In a medium saucepan with a heavy bottom, combine peaches, jalapenos, sugar, lemon juice, tequila, and pectin, stir to combine.

Cook and stir constantly over medium heat for 15 minutes, break the fruit up a bit with your spoon if the chunks are still large. Turn the heat down a little and cook 5 minutes more. Set aside.


Cookie Dough
3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. kosher salt
For rolling dough in:
½ cup roasted and salted pepitas, finely chopped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. chili powder

In the bowl of a mixer add butter and sugar and beat until combined. Add egg, flour and salt. Mix until combined.

Use a large cookie scoop or about a rounded tablespoon of dough, roll it into a ball and then roll into the crushed pepitas. For the second flavor, roll them in plain sugar and for a third, combine the 1 teaspoon of chili powder with the leftover sugar and roll remaining dough in it.

Place the balls onto a cookie sheet that is lined with parchment or a silpat mat; press your thumb (or a 1/4-inch round teaspoon works well) in the middle to make an indent.  Place the cookies rather close together and cover the entire sheet with a piece of plastic wrap and place in the fridge until firm, at least 1 hour.


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place 12 cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment or with a silicone mat a few inches apart and add ½ tsp. or so of the jam to each indent.

Bake for 16-20 minutes. When the cookies are fresh out of the oven feel free to add another ½ tsp. of jam. Let cool and store in an airtight container.

Store any leftover jam in the fridge.

Makes 48 cookies.


You will have to let me know which of the three ways was your favorite flavor, I happened to like the pepitas best I thought the salt and crunch added a nice kick. 

If you like peaches and jalapenos you might also like:

Enjoy,

Gina

27 comments:

  1. Your pictures are always so pretty. Everything you post looks appetizing!

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  2. Gina you crack me up! I want a few of those glowing peaches and a couple of thumbprint cookies.
    I have to say I like them with the crushed pepitas because I like a little crunch in or on my cookies;-)

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  3. Wow! I can see why you had to put on your stunner shades. Those peaches are just gorgeous, so bright. Here in IL, we don't get peaches that color. Your cookies look so good, and would choose the ones with the peptitas:)

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  4. That photo is amazing. It's just gorgeous. The recipe is so "today", with the sweet and heat pairing. It's been so popular in the past couple of years from chocolate and now your terrific jam recipe. Love it!

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  5. Wow these look fabulous! I don't think I've ever tried peach and jalapeno. Sounds delicious!

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  6. WOW!Love your pictures, so stunning and make mouth watering :)

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  7. Gina, your pictures are mouthwatering. I've had the combination of peach and jalapeno in salsas but never like thin, in a cookie!

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  8. wow this looks so delicious ...n beautiful

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  9. Gina, these are absolute dynamite! The peppers and peaches were perhaps dazzling you at the market, but they're dazzling us on our screens. Brilliant. Jill xo

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  10. I love thumbprint cookies, but I've never considered the pairing of peach & jalapeno. They look delicious!

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  11. Gina, thanks for visiting my blog. These cookies look delicious. I've seen cookies like this in the stores, and have always wondered how they are made.

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  12. You are too funny :) These look so scrumptious and love the combination...gorgeous shots too :)

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  13. Seriously, I'd eat any of the 3!!! Such a great twist on thumbprints! Have a great weekend, Gina!

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  14. All three sound like my kind of cookie, love them! You have to link these up to Tailgating Time!!

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  15. Beautiful clicks! The sun beam on the first photo looks really charming.

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  16. Wow, this whole post looks great! I'm loving the jam, I should head to the farmers market this morning and see what I can get!

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  17. Store any leftover jam in the fridge she says. Like you wouldn't just sit there and eat it with a spoon? YUM! I've got some nectarines and some jalapenos and this is calling my name! Kate @ kateiscooking

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  18. Gina-Your story is so funny...Rico Suave?...I can only picture you there at the market and telling him what you think!
    Your peach-jalapeno jam is to "die for"...seriously amazing, and love the kick of the jalapeno flavor.
    Love all three, and cannot didstinguish. I would love to make peach-jalapeno salsa, as well!...the BBQ sauce is awesome, as well, especially on chicken, or seafood! Yumm!!!
    xoxo

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  19. Too funny! Guess Rico's line worked pretty good ;) I'm loving all flavor combos. And the tequila? GENUIS!

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  20. You crack me up!! As much as I love cookies I can’t get over the chewy center of a thumbprint cookie. But I’ll be more then happy to have some of that peach jam over my grilled pork chop! I think I would be a match made in heaven.

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  21. There are too many superstars in this post, I really don't know which one to munch on! Having the jam in the thumbprint dent means they're all pretty HOT ;-). You write from your funny bone and cook from your heart, Ms. Gina! These cookie flavors are original and some of the best I've seen all year.

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  22. LOL!! you're funny! i love this post. Now this is such a killer combo... i must try this soon. thank you for sharing.

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  23. What a great idae! I'm super intrigued by this recipe! Nicely done!

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  24. Gina you crack me up:) Love the way you right as much as I am loving this sessy caliente cookies. We loved the peach jalapeno bbq sauce so I can just imagine how orgasmic these beauties must be. Thanks for sharing and for not being boring and just using strawberry jam. You rock!

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  25. super crazy photo and the peach / jalapeno combination sounds super.

    I've bookmarked your recipe for later use once I've been shopping !

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  26. I love this! The flavours are perfect and bold enough to really get some eyes popping. Thanks so much for sharing such a unique recipe!

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  27. Oh my goodness!!! I love every thing about these guys!! Wouldn't have thought to put it all in a cookie, but this is on my list! Good to see you Gina!!

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