01 -
Heat the oven to 190°C. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
02 -
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika (if using).
03 -
In a large bowl, beat the butter, cheddar, and parmesan until smooth and creamy. Stir in the egg yolk and water until blended. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until the dough comes together.
04 -
Scoop out tablespoon-sized pieces of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the lined baking sheets, spacing them about 5 cm apart. Gently press the center of each ball with your thumb or the back of a spoon to create a small dent.
05 -
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Pull them out of the oven and deepen the indents while they're still warm, using the back of a spoon.
06 -
Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of chili jelly into the center of each indent. Then pop them back in the oven for another 2–3 minutes to warm up the jelly slightly.
07 -
Let the cookies cool on the sheets for roughly 5 minutes, then transfer onto a cooling rack to finish cooling. Serve them warm or at room temperature.