Cheese cookies

Cheese Cookies: a delicious and easy-to-make snack

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Rest time: 2-3 hours
Baking time: 20-25 minutes
Total: 2-3 hours and 40 minutes
Number of servings: 20-25 cookies

Cheese cookies are a perfect choice for a quick snack, whether served alongside a cup of tea or as appetizers at a party. These savory cookies, with a crunchy texture and rich flavor, are easy to make and will delight your taste buds. Here’s how to achieve excellent results, step by step.

Ingredients:
- 200 g flour
- 100 g cold butter, diced
- 150 g sheep cheese or grated cheddar cheese
- 100 g plain yogurt
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (optional, for a fluffier texture)

Preparation:

1. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, add the flour, salt, and, if desired, baking powder. Make a well in the center and add the cold butter cubes. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, start mixing until the mixture resembles fine snow. It’s important for the butter to be cold to achieve a crunchy texture.

2. Adding cheese and yogurt: Incorporate the grated cheese or cheddar into the flour mixture. Then, add the yogurt and egg yolk. Use a spatula or your hands to combine the ingredients, being careful not to overmix. The goal is to obtain a homogeneous dough, but one that remains slightly crumbly.

3. Resting the dough: Once you have the dough, shape it into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Let it rest in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. This step is essential as it allows the gluten to relax, making the cookies more tender.

4. Shaping the cookies: After the resting time is up, preheat the oven to 180°C. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1-2 cm. Use cookie cutters or a glass to cut out the desired shapes. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

5. Baking: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden and crunchy. It’s important to keep an eye on them as baking times may vary depending on the oven.

6. Serving: Let the cookies cool on a wire rack. They can be served plain or with a cheese spread or olive cream. These cheese cookies can also be a great appetizer at a party, easy to eat with your fingers.

Variation suggestions: You can experiment by adding spices like cumin or oregano to the dough for extra flavor. Also, replacing sheep cheese with feta or parmesan can bring an interesting twist.

These cheese cookies are not only simple to prepare but also delicious, making them ideal for any occasion. Whether you make them for a quick snack or for a gathering with friends, they will surely be a hit!