Cheddar Cayenne Crackers

These cheddar cayenne coins with ground walnuts are really a savory version of a butter cookie. They are crumbly and cheesy, and the cayenne adds just a hint of spiciness.

These crackers are totally hard to stop eating, with their buttery and cheesy flavor. 

They'd go perfectly with sesame seed crackers. 

The part that hooks me is the cheddar. So good. It's cheese and a cracker baked together.

These savory crackers would be perfect with champagne or an aperitif. So elegant, right?

Cheddar Cayenne Crackers

Makes about 40 crackers

Ingredients

6 oz all purpose flour

3 oz finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne

4 ounces cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes. 

1 large egg yolk

2 T water

1 1/2 ounces finely chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. In a food processor, combine the flour, cheddar, salt and cayenne and pulse a few times, until just mixed.
2. Scatter the cold butter pieces over the flour/cheese mixture and pulse until you get a crumbly mixture. 
3. Mix the yolk and water together and then drizzle it into the food processor. Pulse until you get even-sized small moist crumbs. 
4. Add the nuts and pulse a few times. 
5. Dump the mixture out onto the counter and push it together with your hands. 
6. Use a bench knife or scraper to flatten and fold the dough over itself. As it comes together, roll it into a 14 inch log and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight. 
7. Preheat the oven to 375 degree and line two baking sheets with parchment.
8. Slice the log into 1/4 inch disks and place them 1/2 inch apart on the parchment. 
9. Bake, one sheet at a time, for plus or minus 18 minutes. Cool on the pan and then store in an airtight container. 

Both the dough and the baked cookies can be frozen. Perfect for impromptu parties!

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