Caliente Christmas Cheese Crisps

Name: Caliente Christmas Cheese Crisps
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 10 servings (3-1/2 dozen).
Ingredients: 3/4 cup shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese; 1/3 cup shredded pepper jack cheese; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1/4 teaspoon garlic pepper blend; 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2/3 cup crispy brown rice cereal; 1/4 cup finely crumbled cooked bacon; 1/4 cup salted pumpkin seeds; 1/4 cup crumbled french-fried onions; Pico de gallo or picante sauce, optional

To fire up the crowd, I pack these homemade crackers with bacon, pumpkin seeds and French-fried onion rings. Dunk them in picante sauce. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Ingredients

3/4 cup shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon garlic pepper blend
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup crispy brown rice cereal
1/4 cup finely crumbled cooked bacon
1/4 cup salted pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup crumbled french-fried onions
Pico de gallo or picante sauce, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Beat first six ingredients together until blended. Add flour; mix until a dough forms. Stir in remaining ingredients except optional sauce.
Shape dough into 1-in. balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets; flatten with a lightly floured glass.
Bake until golden, 14-16 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. If desired, serve crisps with pico de gallo or picante sauce.

Editor's Note: For testing, we used Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice Cereal.