Homemade Cheez-Its  

Ingredients:

8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated

3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 Tablespoon vegetable shortening

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper and or a dash of hot sauce

1 cup flour

2  Tablespoons ice water

Coarse salt for sprinkling

Directions:

Combine cheese, butter, shortening, salt and pepper in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

Slowly add the flour then the ice water. You may add a few more drops of water to help it come together but be careful not to add to much. The dough will be a similar consistency to pie crust.

Pat the dough into 2 discs and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Using parchment paper or a silicone mat roll out each disc to about 1/8 of an inch and cut into 1 inch squares. A pastry or pizza wheel is the best tool to use.

Use a toothpick to punch a hole into the center of each square. If the squares are difficult to get off the mat you can return them to the refrigerator to cool while you roll out the second disc.

Once the squares are transferred to a baking sheet bake them for 10-15 minutes or until puffed and browned on the edges.

If you happen to pull them out too soon and the crackers don't have the desired crispiness you want then simply return them to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes.

You should get about 7 dozen crackers from this recipe.