Make Your Own Zesty Cheese Wafer Snacks
Do you wish you could make a homemade savory snack without the time and effort of making homemade crackers? Then these homemade zesty cheese wafers might be just what you’re looking for because the process is more like making a cookie than a cracker.
I came across this recipe in a fundraising cookbook I received as a gift. It was a collection of recipes from famous people, some that were local celebrities, while others were nationally famous.
So who submitted the Cheese Wafer recipe? Lady Bird Johnson. For any readers who are from a younger generation, Lady Bird Johnson was the wife Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States from 1963 to 1969. Lady Bird is probably best known for her commitment to beautifying the nation’s highways by having more flowers planted. And for her cheese wafers (OK – kidding).
The little blurb from Lady Bird (who was a Texan) with the Cheese Wafer recipe said: “Cheese wafers are a ranch staple which are served on all occasions, with salads, cocktails, etc., or just when one of the grandchildren gets the munchies“.
Gosh, for those of who you remember the original Dallas TV show, can’t you just see J.R. and Sue Ellen standing around with their cocktails on their Texas oil ranch munching a cheese wafer? Now I just had to give this recipe a try.
Making my own Cheese Wafers
This recipe for cheese wafers starts by cutting butter into flour to make a dough and then adding some shredded cheese and seasonings. And then you add Rice Krispies, a rather unexpected ingredient! Once everything is mixed together (and just getting in there with your hands works well), the dough is dropped by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, flattened out just a bit, and baked for 15 minutes.
The recipe turned out to be simple to make, and did indeed result in a small cookie type of wafer with a zesty kick to it. They were tasty little homemade snacks that took a lot less effort to make than homemade crackers and would be ideal to bring to parties, family gatherings, to work, or any time you are just out on the ranch sipping cocktails. 🙂
Zesty Cheese Wafers
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter or margarine (2 sticks) – softened
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 oz pkg finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 2 cups)
- 2 cups Rice Krispie cereal
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Cut the butter into the flour until well mixed.
- Mix in the seasonings and the shredded cheese. (You might want to just use your hands to get everything mixed in).
- Finally, mix in the Rice Krispies. When finished the dough sticks together rather than being crumbly.
- Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto the cookie sheets, flattening the dough out a little bit – OR – you can also roll the dough into balls and then flatten them out a bit with your hands. (My wafers were about a 1½" size)
- Bake for 15 minutes.
This sounds easy and awesome gonna try it.
Thank you for sharing the recipe and the history lesson. 🙂 Going to give these a try! I’m sure my kids will love them.
Beverly, I’ll have to give these a try, it sounds like these will be extra crunchy, thanks.