Spicy Cheese Bites

Some folks call these Spicy Cheese Bites, cheese cookies, but whatever you call them, they are a great make-ahead appetizer munchie for game day or any party or gathering.  This recipe makes a large batch but can easily be halved. Sort of like the flavor of a cheese straw, another very popular Christmas appetizer, but with an unexpected crunch from Rice Krispies cereal that'll have folks wondering what it is.  You can also use well crushed regular corn flakes too if that's what you happen to have in the house.

Without the cayenne these have a sort of delayed, but fairly mild kick. If you want spicy hot, definitely add the cayenne and adjust that to taste, because that really bumps up the heat. For a party though, you might want to lean of the milder side.

Nothing could be easier than this to throw together either - just make sure that you make enough because they WILL go fast, and that's not counting the ones you'll be popping in your mouth, which you will! The first batch of these I did by hand, the second I dumped it all in the KitchenAid. If you don't want to break out the mixer it works fine by hand, but I gotta say the mixer makes a much easier job of it if you don't happen to need (or want) the upper body workout! I made two trays at a time and just switched the sheets around halfway.

Using a mixer, cream two sticks of butter, with a few dashes of hot sauce, until well blended.

Add the cheese - I used a combination of swiss and cheddar here - but use your favorites. Any cheddar alone is also excellent.  Add that to the butter mixture. (The last time I made these I added the cereal here.)

Sift together the flour, Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper, if using.  Add the cereal to the flour mixture and stir. I prefer Rice Krispies, but I used regular, unsweetened cornflakes in this batch.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix just until well combined. 

Pull off small pieces and roll them into balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.  Gobble up.

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Spicy Cheese Bites
From the Kitchen of Deep South Dish

1 cup (2 full sticks) of unsalted butter,
   softened at room temperature
Couple dashes of hot sauce
10 ounces of shredded cheese (Cheddar, Swiss,
   Pepper Jack, Monterey jack or any combination)
2-1/4 cups of cake flour
1 teaspoon of Slap Ya Mama or your favorite
   Cajun/Creole seasoning, or to taste, optional
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
2-1/2 cups of Rice Krispies or crushed cornflake cereal

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add the hot sauce to the butter and cream with a mixer; add the cheese to the butter mixture; beat just until combined.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper together. Add the cereal to the flour mixture and stir. Add the cereal/flour mixture to the butter mixture about 1/2 cup at a time, until combined.

Break off small pieces (about a teaspoon) and roll into a ball. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned. Let cool on the sheet for a few seconds, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Makes about 4 to 5 dozen or so - depending on how small you roll them and how many you eat along the way. Recipe can be halved.

Note: To substitute regular flour for cake flour: 1 cup of cake flour = 1 cup of all purpose flour MINUS 2 tablespoons. Replace the 2 tablespoons of flour with cornstarch and whisk together well.

Source:  http://www.deepsouthdish.com

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