Blue Cheese Thumbprints

These make a great appetizer to pair with sparkling white wine. Sweet and savory! Prep and cook time do not include the 2 hour chilling time.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Yields: 5 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 (4 ounce) packages blue cheese, crumbled
• 1⁄2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1⁄3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3  tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  ground red pepper
• 1⁄3 cup  cherry preserves

Directions

1. Beat blue cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add flour, poppy seeds, and red pepper, beating just until combined.
2. Roll dough into 3/4 inch round balls; cover and chill 2 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4. Arrange balls on an ungreased baking sheet and press your thumb into each ball of dough, leaving an indentation.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Place about 1/4 tsp of cherry preserves in each indentation.