Quite a few years back I was determined to find a way to use my cookie press for more than Spritz cookies.
While I love Spritz cookies, it just seemed a shame to use the press for that one thing. I always make a lot of cookies for the holidays, but wanted to come up with some more savory holiday snacks. These Peppered Cheese Crackers have been a real hit with my family and friends, year after year. I hope you enjoy them as much as us.
These crackers are better than Cheese Nips… which I happen to be a huge fan of!
This year I really did it, I broke the cookie press about half way through making these crackers. So if you don’t have a cookie press, do not worry… you can still make these crackers. Simply roll the dough into a tube, chill, and slice it.
Fortunately, I was able to get enough of the Christmas trees pressed for my picture.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 stick of butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 to 2 pinches of cayenne pepper
- pinch of salt
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375.
Step 2: In a large bowl, cream butter, cheese, and Worcestershire sauce, until well combined.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, add flour, paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir with a fork until well combined.
Step 4: Slowly add the dry mixture to your cheese mixture, using a hand mixer or fork. To fully incorporate the dough, you’ll need to use your fingers.
Step 5: Once all ingredients are incorporated and soft dough has been formed, divide into 4 portions and roll into logs. Add each log to your cookie press and press into festive shapes. I used the Christmas tree disc to make my crackers. Using your cookie press, gently press the shapes onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown on top. Place cookie sheet on cooling rack and allow to cool for about two minutes, before removing cookies. Recipe yields about 8 dozen crackers.
These Peppered Cheese Crackers are a fantastic holiday snack, and would be a great gift. Wrap some crackers in a cellophane bag and tie with a pretty bow for gift giving.
Enjoy!
Peppered Cheese Crackers
Ingredients
- 8 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 stick of butter softened
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 to 2 pinches of cayenne pepper
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375.
- In a large bowl, cream butter, cheese, and Worcestershire sauce, until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, add flour, paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir with a fork until well combined.
- Slowly add the dry mixture to your cheese mixture, using a hand mixer or fork. To fully incorporate the dough, you’ll need to use your fingers.
- Once all ingredients are incorporated and soft dough has been formed, divide into 4 portions and roll into logs. Add each log to your cookie press and press into festive shapes. I used the Christmas tree disc to make my crackers. Using your cookie press, gently press the shapes onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown on top. Place cookie sheet on cooling rack and allow to cool for about two minutes, before removing cookies. Recipe yields about 8 dozen crackers.
I’ve never used the cookie press for a savory recipe, what a great idea! It only gets pulled out once a year for spritz cookies, I need to put it to work more often.
What kind of cookie press did you use for these?
Thanks,
Sally
I use the Wilton cookie press.