Nini's Crispy Cheese Crackers
My grandmother, Nini, makes these yummy homemade cheese crackers every Christmas. It is a tradition in our family. Amidst all the sweets, it's nice to have something savory on which to snack. I always enjoyed eating these cheese crackers and homemade chex mix late at night while watching old Christmas movies like "It's a Wonderful Life." When I eat these crackers I actually think about that famous line, "every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings". I don't know how theologically sound that is, but it makes me smile when I think about it. That movie holds special meaning to me for several reasons, but I will have to expound on another day. Back to the cheese crackers. They also make a great addition to cheese and wine. They taste like cheese straws, but the addition of Rice Krispies makes them crunchy! Nini's recipe uses a shake of cayenne pepper which is awesome but I have been on a Tabasco kick lately so I substituted and these turned out really well. You can choose your poison. :)
Nini is a wonderful cook who still makes our cornbread dressing each Thanksgiving for the entire extended family. There is nothing like traditional, southern cornbread and nobody makes it better than Nini. She actually got her name from me. :) I am the first grandchild on my Dad's side of the family and everyone tried to get me to say "granny." All I could say was "nee-nee" hence her new name. (Maybe I was a little slow as a toddler.) I can't imagine her with any other name. I love her very much and am happy to share one of her many delicious recipes with you.
Nini's Cheese Crackers
2 sticks butter
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups flour, sifted
2 cups Rice Krispie cereal
1 teaspoon salt
Tabasco Sauce to taste
Allow the butter and cheese to come to room temperature. Cream the butter and cheese together in a large mixing bowl. Add several shakes of Tabasco sauce. Add flour and salt and continue to mix until combined.
Taste a little dough...is it hot enough? If not, add a few more shakes of Tabasco. Add the Rice Krispie cereal and mix until just combined. Roll the dough into quarter size balls and press them flat on a cookie sheet using the back of the fork. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes or until crispy and golden.
OMG! This is MY Grandmothers (Nanny) recipe. I knew I had the recipe somewhere and just found the poor tattered little thing in a box of my late mothers recipe books. Short of "salt" & a temperature difference (375 for 12-15) they are the same. Of course yours has the modern flare of telling you to cream the butter & cheese. Mine just says "mix well" Thank you for posting this! It was the first one I found and stopped looking. Sounds like we have other similar food history - my family is from South Carolina and we made cornbread dressing too! So update - just took the crisps out of the oven and WOW! you'd think my mom & nanny were in the room! Thanks again and Merry Christmas! I'll be back to see what else is cooking! Hope H - Rochester Hills MI
ReplyDeleteCan I substitute Rice Krispies with another type of cereal?
ReplyDeleteI made a version of these where you roll the dough into a couple of logs and refrigerate. Then slice into disks and bake. I like the looks of yours better!
ReplyDeleteI've been making these for YEARS; however, just found a recipe where you use 1 pound of sharp cheddar "pub" cheese (the kind that comes in a little plastic tub) -- and it is much tastier for some reason. All the other ingredients are the same! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI had a Neeny!!! She was an awesome grandmother
ReplyDeleteI see this recipe all over Pinterest and few have the most important step listed. You HAVE TO USE FRESH GRATED CHEESE and not packaged already grated cheese. The cheese won’t get soft and hold the shape.
ReplyDeleteI have to contradict my post above (GiniD). Do NOT use "pub" cheese from a plastic tub. They were horrible!!
ReplyDelete