Creole Cheese Crackers

I’ve served these little crackers with a kick at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Mardi Gras get-togethers. I like how you can prepare the dough ahead of time, which is a big help when hosting a party. You can use cute cookie cutters to match your theme.

by Elizabeth Savoie Dronet, based on Southern Living’s recipe

Ingredients

1 10oz block of sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded in a food processor
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened and cut into cubes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 Tbsp half and half (add at the end)

Method

Preheat oven to 350°.

Pulse first 5 ingredients in a food processor at 5-second intervals until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add half-and-half, and process 10 seconds or until dough forms a ball.

Turn out onto a well-floured surface. Use your hands to fully combine ingredients. Roll to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with 2 1/2- to 3 1/2-inch assorted star-shaped cutters.  Position cutters closely together as you cut.  Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. The crackers do not spread much during the baking process and can therefore be placed closely together on the baking sheet.

Bake 16 to 18 minutes; cool on baking sheets on wire racks.

Note: Dough may be wrapped in plastic wrap, sealed in a zip-top plastic freezer bag, and chilled up to 3 days.