Cheese Crisps

• MAKE-AHEAD
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2. 1 pound cheddar cheese, shredded
3. 2 cups all-purpose flour
4. 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
5. 1/2 teaspoon salt
6. 2 cups crispy rice cereal

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Position 2 racks in the middle and lower thirds of the oven. In a bowl, beat the butter and cheddar at medium speed until combined. Add the flour, cayenne and salt and beat until a crumbly dough forms. Add the rice cereal and beat briefly to combine.
2. Form level tablespoons of the dough into balls; place on 4 large baking sheets. Using a fork, press a crosshatch pattern into the balls, pressing them into 2-inch rounds.
3. Bake the crisps 2 sheets at a time for about 25 minutes, until they are lightly browned; shift the pans from top to bottom and front to back halfway through baking for even cooking. Let cool completely.