Introduction

These Slice and Bake Cheddar Cheese Coins are a delightful savory snack with a perfect balance of sharp cheddar and warm spices. Easy to prepare and bake, they offer a crispy texture and are great for entertaining or everyday nibbling.

A long, narrow white dish is filled with a tall stack of round crackers that have a golden brown color and are sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds, adding texture and contrast. The crackers have a slightly rough surface and are closely packed inside the dish, which is set on a white marbled surface. Around the dish, a few more crackers are scattered loosely, showing their thin, crispy edges and toasted appearance with small sesame seed bits. The overall look is warm, crunchy, and inviting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups (8 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (room temperature)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
8 tablespoons (one stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (omit if sensitive to spice)
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
Everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds, for rolling

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, softened butter, cayenne, paprika, ground mustard, and salt. Use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment to blend until the butter is evenly mixed with the dry ingredients. If you don’t have a mixer, you can also use your hands.
Step 2: Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the mixture and combine with the mixer or your hands until the dough forms a ball. The dough should have visible specks of cheese and hold together when pressed between your thumb and forefinger. Using your hands may take about 5 minutes to fully incorporate the cheese.
Step 3: Divide the dough in half and place each portion on a silicone baking mat or lightly floured surface. Knead briefly to unify any crumbly parts. Roll each half into a log about 8 inches (20 cm) long and 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter.
Step 4: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds on your work surface and roll each dough log in the seasoning until well coated. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes until firm.
Step 5: Preheat the oven to 400˚F (205˚C).
Step 6: Using a serrated knife, slice the chilled dough logs into thin coins slightly less than 1/4 inch thick. It’s better to slice slightly thicker than too thin to avoid burning. Each log should yield about 45 coins.
Step 7: Arrange the coins on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, leaving a small space between them. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges just begin to brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before serving.

Tips & Variations

Omit the cayenne if you prefer a milder flavor or substitute with smoked paprika for a smoky twist.
Try rolling the dough logs in finely chopped herbs or coarse sea salt instead of seeds for different flavor profiles.
If you don’t have a stand mixer, mixing and kneading by hand works well but may take a bit longer.

Storage

Store the cooled cheddar cheese coins in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for 5 to 7 days. For best crispness, avoid refrigeration. To re-crisp, you can warm them in a 300˚F oven for a few minutes before serving.

How to Serve

A long row of round, thin golden-brown crackers is neatly arranged inside a white rectangular box. Each cracker is lightly coated with a mix of white and black sesame seeds, along with small bits of seasoning that add a speckled texture on the surface. The crackers have a slightly rough, crispy texture with a well-baked appearance, and the box is set on a white marbled surface. In the blurred background, a few crackers are scattered outside the box, enhancing the focus on the orderly stack inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze the dough logs before baking?

Yes, you can freeze the wrapped dough logs for up to a month. Thaw them in the refrigerator before slicing and baking.

What can I use instead of everything bagel seasoning?

If you don’t have everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or a mix of dried onion and garlic powder make great alternatives for coating the dough logs.