Spicy Everything Bagel Cheddar Cheese Crackers

 

1 10 oz. block sharp cheddar cheese shredded

1 1/2 C. all-purpose flour

1/2 C. butter one stick, cut into small cubes

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

3 T. half and half

1 egg

2 tsp. water

Everything Topping:

2 T. dried chopped onion toasted

1 T. pretzel salt or coarse salt

1 T. black sesame seed I got mine at Williams-Sonoma

1 T. sesame seeds regular

1 T. poppy seeds

 

Place the dried chopped onion on a parchment lined baking sheet and toast in the oven for 3 minutes. Keep a close eye on the onion because it tends to burn rather quickly. You want it to be a nice golden brown. Cool, then place in a small bowl. Add next 4 topping ingredients and stir together. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. In a large bowl combine cheese, flour, butter and cayenne pepper. Using a pastry cutter mix together ingredients until they resemble coarse crumbs. Add the half and half and mix until dough forms a ball. Divide dough into 2 workable batches. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface and cut. (I used a 1 1/2 inch fluted square cookie cutter) Place on prepared sheet about 1 inch apart. Whisk together egg and water. Brush tops of crackers with egg mixture and sprinkle with everything topping mixture. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining dough.