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Manchego and chilli shortbreads recipe

Manchego and chilli shortbreads recipe

56 ratings

If you're struggling to think of gift ideas for friends and family, these spicy shortbreads make the perfect present for any cheese lover. Made with creamy Manchego, a sprinkling of crushed chillies and fragrant rosemary, savoury shortbread doesn't get much better than this. Prepare the dough ahead and freeze until ready to bake. See method

  • Makes 24 (2 gift batches of 12)
  • 20 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook, plus cooling
  • 76 calories / serving
  • Freezable
  • Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 80g Manchego cheese, finely grated
  • 125g salted butter, softened
  • 1½ tsp crushed chillies
  • 10g fresh rosemary, leaves finely chopped
  • 150g plain flour, plus extra for dusting

Each serving contains

  • Energy

    315kj
    76kcal
    4%
  • Fat

    6g 8%
  • Saturates

    4g 18%
  • Sugars

    0g 0%
  • Salt

    0.2g 4%

of the reference intake
Carbohydrate 5g Protein 1.5g Fibre 0.4g

Method

  1. Beat the cheese and butter until pale and creamy. Season and add 1 tsp crushed chillies and the rosemary.
  2. Stir in the flour and bring together to a crumbly dough. Knead lightly on a lightly floured surface until just smooth. Shape into an 18cm log and wrap in clingfilm. Smooth and shape the dough, then tap on a work surface to give a rectangular shape with a rough square cross section. Chill for 1 hr until firm.
  3. Preheat the oven to gas 4, 180°C, fan 160°C. Line 2 baking sheets with nonstick baking paper. Unwrap the dough and cut into 24 slices, each about 7mm thick. Transfer to the baking sheets and sprinkle the remaining crushed chillies on top.
  4. Bake for 13-15 mins until crisp and golden. Cool on the trays for a few mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store these shortbreads in an airtight container, layered with baking paper, for up to 2 weeks.

Get ahead: The shortbread dough will keep in the fridge for 3 days, or can be frozen for up to 1 month.

See more Edible Christmas gifts

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