Spicy Cheese Crackers

My mom made this for a couple of decades; now, it’s my turn. These are highly addictive and make a great food gift.

Original recipe makes 2 dozen

Ingredients

2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 dashes hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®), or more to taste
2 cups crispy rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies®)

PREP

15 mins
COOK

15 mins
READY IN

30 mins

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Whip Cheddar cheese and softened butter together in a large bowl using an electric hand mixer until smooth. Beat 1/2 cup flour into the cheese mixture at a time, assuring each addition is incorporated fully before adding the next. Add cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and hot pepper sauce; beat to incorporate.
Use a wooden spoon to fold the cereal into the cheese mixture; shape into 1-inch balls and arrange onto a baking sheet. Use the back of a spoon to flatten the balls slightly.
Bake in preheated oven until set but not yet browning, 15 to 17 minutes. Let crackers cool on pans for 1 minute before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.