Cheese Dainties aka Cheese Biscuits

Cheese Dainties

Memories that bring a smile to my face:  Cheese dainties aka cheese biscuits!  My Mom made this a lot since they were a favorite in our household!  I loved them as a kid and I think I love them even more as an adult!  I eat them for breakfast, for lunch along with soup, appetizers with wine, and just any anytime snack!  You can spice them up with more cayenne, decorate them with pecan halves (or not), add rice krispies to them for a bit of a crunch… the variations are fun!  Note that the original recipe (one my Mom used) directed that you mix the batter by hand.  Of course, a KitchenAid mixer works really well!!

INGREDIENTS:
½ pound (2 cups) shredded (or grated) sharp cheddar cheese
½ pound (2 sticks) butter, softened

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
½ tsp cayenne (or to taste)
More cayenne to sprinkle on top (if desired)

Pecan halves

Variation: add 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal to batter
 

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine cheese, butter, flour, salt and cayenne in a large mixing bowl.  (If using Rice Krispies, add this too). Mix well by hand or electric beater. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls and place an inch apart on a Silpat lined baking sheet.

Using a fork, gently flatten each ball and press a pecan half onto each cracker. If desired, sprinkle the tops of each cracker with a little cayenne. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until slightly tan in color.  Transfer to wire rack to cool.