These zesty cheese wafers are a family recipe that my mom use to make every Christmas and my husband requests each year. And even though the 25th of December has come and gone, they're great for New Year's Day snacking. No, they're not particularly healthy. In fact, they are such a delicate cracker-like wafer, you can't really make any substitutions or they just won't come out right. This is one of the few recipes in which I use store bought white flour to make. But for once a year... they're deliciously worth it!
Zesty Cheese Wafers
(Makes about 9 dozen)
1 cup butter
1 lb. good quality sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 cup rice crispies
1 cup pecans, finely chopped
Cream softened butter and finely grated cheese until very smooth - at least 10 minutes. This will really give your mixer a work out, so don't attempt this if the motor gets hot easily! (My Kitchen Aid does fine.) Sift flour, measure again, and resift with the salt and cayenne pepper added. Stir into creamed butter and cheese, then add rice crispies and pecans, gently stirring until blended - do not over beat.
Turn out onto surface and divide into 3-4 segments and roll out into a log about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap in wax paper an chill thoroughly - overnight is best.
At this point, if you'd rather not bake them right away, you have the option of freezing the logs in a zip lock freezer bag and make them whenever you need some for guests (or yourself!). When you're actually ready to bake, slice each wafer 1/4 inch thick and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Do not let the wafers touch or be too close together because they will expand just a bit. Be sure to save the ends and bake them, too, so that you can snack on them while you make these.
Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes or until very lightly browned. Do not over bake or the cheese flavor will change and they'll taste almost burned.
I think I'm going to need to make some more!
