Cheddar Shortbread Bites (crackers)

Total Time: 24 mins Preparation Time: 12 mins Cook Time: 12 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup land-o-lakes butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 dash ground red pepper (cayenne)
• 2 cups land-o-lakes sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 8-ounce package)
• 1 egg (optional)
• 1 tablespoon water (optional)
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds (optional)
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)

Recipe

• 1 combine flour, butter, salt and red pepper in medium bowl; beat at medium speed until dough forms.
• 2 add cheese; mix until a ball forms.
• 3 shape dough into circle; wrap in plastic wrap.
• 4 refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
• 5 heat oven to 350.
• 6 roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. (it will be hard to roll at first, but will soften. press together any cracks that form on edges of dough.).
• 7 cut dough with 1 1/2-inch cookie cutters or pizza cutter into desired shapes.
• 8 place onto ungreased baking sheets.
• 9 if toppings wanted:.
• 10 beat one egg and water together in small bowl. brush cut-outs with egg wash; sprinkle with seeds.
• 11 bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until very lightly browned around edges. immediately loosen from pan; let cool on pan.
• 12 variations: shortbread bites can be topped with variety of other ingredients such as chili powder, seasoned salt, fennel seed or herbs.