Make Ahead

Spicy Cheese + Smoked Paprika Coins

by:
November  9, 2016
4.7
3 Ratings
Spicy Cheese + Smoked Paprika Coins
Photo by James Ransom
  • Makes about 30 coins
Author Notes

We make these tiny, round cheese crackers for any kind of gathering where you’ll need an easy finger food for picking up and snacking. (They also happen to be a very nice size for packaging up in a glass jar and gifting around the holidays or as a hostess present.) More interesting than the usual platter of crackers and cheese, these buttery coins taste intensely of cheddar cheese. A little bit of cornmeal gives them a pleasantly crunchy texture, and a generous heap of flavorful herbs and spices. —Posie (Harwood) Brien

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground sage leaf
  • 2 tablespoons very cold unsalted butter, diced
  • 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
Directions
  1. In a food processor, combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, cayenne, paprika, and sage. Process until the mixture is in coarse crumbs.
  2. Add the cheese and pulse until well-combined.
  3. Add the butter and pulse until well-combined. (Don’t overmix here.) With the food processor running, slowly add the milk in a stream and continue to process until the dough comes together in a ball.
  4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape it into a disc. Wrap the disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 12 hours (or up to 3 days).
  5. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Working with half of the chilled dough at a time (leave the other half in the refrigerator until ready to use), roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/16-inch thickness. Using a small round cutter (I like a 1-inch wide cutter), punch out small circles of dough.
  6. Transfer circles to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes (start keeping a very close eye on them after 10 minutes), or until the crackers are golden brown on the edges. They will crisp up as they cool.
  7. Remove from the oven and let sit on the pan for a minute, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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7 Reviews

Mark S.
Mark S. January 28, 2018
I substitute dry sherry for the milk. Stir in 2 Tbsp horseradish mustard and tsp hot sauce. The liquid is a great vehicle for being creative. Smoked gruyere or other smoked melting cheese is a nice option too. Sort of like a fondue cracker.
 
Cindy
Cindy December 19, 2016
Or, roll the dough into a small log and cut the coins off the log...much easier!
 
A
A December 19, 2016
EXACTLY. Was gonna be my comment. little logs would be much more efficient and less wasteful.
 
anotherfoodieblogger
anotherfoodieblogger December 12, 2016
I made the dough today and it's chilling in the fridge for the requisite time. Fingers crossed as I'm not the best baker, flour is my enemy.
 
Kris
Kris December 10, 2016
How do I combine everything if I don't have a food processor?
 
anotherfoodieblogger
anotherfoodieblogger December 12, 2016
I suppose you could try a blender? I didn't even have a "normal" food processor, only a Ninja, and couldn't stream in the milk so had to keep stopping it and adding some in a bit at a time. It seemed to work OK but I haven't cooked them yet as the dough is chilling now.
 
hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour December 10, 2016
How long will these stay crisp when stored in an airtight container?