My Chilli Cheese Hearts are the perfect treat for that special someone in your life that is more in love with cheese than chocolate. They also have a subtle chilli kick because everyone needs a little spice!
Do you love cheese more than chocolate?
I know a fair few people that love cheese more than any other food. Those people shouldn’t miss out on Valentine’s Day and have to make do with chocolate. They want cheese so that is what they should get!
Obviously these Chilli Cheese Hearts aren’t only for Valentine’s Day. You can make them at any time of year and make them any shape you like.
I’ve made these at Christmas before and cut them into hearts which looked lovely. If you’re a cheese fan, make sure you check out my Cheese Scones and Cheese & Marmite Palmiers.
Simple to make and incredibly delicious
I’ve been making Cheese Straws for as long as I can remember. They were one of the first thing I remember baking as a child.
They are incredibly easy to make because you don’t need a mixer and it is easier to make them by hand.
My Chilli Cheese Hearts are an elevated version of the original recipe which is even more addictive.
These are incredibly moreish and you will find it very hard to stop yourself from eating the whole batch. If you are making these for a group of people, I would definitely recommend doubling the batch as they will be gone in the blink of an eye.
These have a warmth of chilli – they aren’t too spicy but you can taste the chilli which is the whole point! If you use a large red chilli, then this will be milder than using a smaller chilli.
Also you can dictate how spicy the Chilli Cheese Hearts will be by the chilli powder that you use. I used chipotle chilli powder which is quite mild but you can use a hotter chilli power if you are a fan of spice.
Chilli Cheese Hearts baking tips
When you are rolling the dough, make sure you handle it as little as possible. The more you handle it the higher the risk of it becoming tough.
If you didn’t want to cut them into any shape at all, just roll the dough out and cut it into rectangles.
The size of you cutter will obviously dictate how many hearts you will make. I used a medium sized cutter and made 22 hearts.
These will keep in an airtight container for a couple of days; but lets face it, they will be gone the day you bake them!
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Chilli Cheese Hearts
My Chilli Cheese Hearts are the perfect treat for that special someone in your life that is more in love with cheese than chocolate. They also have a subtle chilli kick because everyone needs a little spice!
Ingredients
- 100 g self raising flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp mustard powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp chilli powder
- 50 g margarine
- 100 g stong cheddar cheese grated
- 1 red chilli finely diced
- 1 egg
- Splash of milk
Instructions
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Heat the oven to 180ºC (fan assisted or 200ºC non fan) and line a baking tray with baking paper or a silicone mat
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Mix together the flour, salt, mustard, cayenne pepper and chilli powder
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Add the butter and rub into the flour mix using the tips of your fingers and your thumbs until you get the consistency of breadcrumbs
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Stir in the half of the diced chilli and cheese keeping roughly 15g of the cheese back. Add enough egg to form a stiff dough – depending on the size of your egg, you may not need to use all of it so add a little at a time
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Lightly dust your surface with flour and roll the dough until it is a couple of millimeters thick
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Using a heart shaped cookie cutter, cut out hearts and lay them on the prepared baking tray
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Gather up and re-roll the dough as few times as possible but also cutting out as many hearts as possible
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Once all of the hearts are on the baking tray, brush them with what is left of the egg. If there isn't much, or none at all, use a splash of milk
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Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of each heart and then finish by sprinkling the remaining chilli
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Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until golden
Jenny Paulin says
I LOVE THESE CAT! oops sorry my caps lock was on! When I saw these on FB at first I assumed they were sweet biscuits, but then I saw the title and I thought what a clever thing you are. They look so cute and I really like how they are savoury. xx
Cat says
Haha thanks. People love cheese as much as other’s love chocolate so I wanted to make something for the cheese fans!x
Corina Blum says
I love savoury cheesy biscuits and these a step up from cheese straws in sophistication. I think it’s a great idea to make them heart-shaped as after all, not everyone just wants sweet chocolatey biscuits, even at this time of year!
Cat says
Thank you very much 🙂 x
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
I love that you did something savoury for Valentines! They look delicious!
Cat says
Thanks 🙂
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says
We love cheese biscuits and I bet the chilli gives them a good hit of spice! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Cat says
It does, but only a gentle warmth 🙂 x
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
What a great idea to pep up regular cheese biscuits with a little hit of chili – they brilliant Cat and as you say so versitile too. Thankyou so much for linking up with #BakingCrumbs.
Angela x
Cat says
Thanks 🙂 Cheese and chilli go so well together in my opinion x
Jacqui Bellefontaine says
Love these cheesy hearts so much I have added to the #CookBlogShare roundup this week (live tomorrow). Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare
Cat says
Oh wow, thank you 🙂 x
Lily says
A savory treat is such a welcomed change to all the sweet stuff. Looks absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing at FF!
Cat says
Thanks – a bit of cheese relief!
TurksWhoEat says
Ooh if I had to choose between cheese and chocolate I don’t know what I would do! These sound wonderful 😀
Cat says
Haha don’t choose and have both!
Priya Joshi says
absolutely love these! I’ve made them a couple of times already and they are so easy and delicious!
Curly says
Thanks very much Priya, so glad you like them 🙂