Lemon-Pepper Cheese Coins

Submitted by spatchcock

"From Fine Cooking. "There are two ways to shape these savory crackers: slice thin coins from a log of dough, or stamp out shapes with a cookie cutter. The log gives a more crumbly, crisp cracker, while the stamping method gives a lighter, flakier pastry. The coins will keep in an airtight container for two days.""

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 6-8 dozen

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour (6 3/4 oz.)
• 1⁄4 cup grated parmesan cheese (any hard cheese will do)
• 4 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon coarsely cracked black pepper
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 4 ounces unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
• 1⁄3 cup chilled sour cream
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 -2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (if needed)

directions

1. Combine the flour, cheese, lemon zest, pepper and salt in a food processor.
2. Process until combined. Add the butter and pulse until the dough resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Add the sour cream and egg yolk and pulse again until just incorporated.
4. Test the dough by squeezing a bit between your fingertips, if it's too dry to hold together, sprinkle on a bit of lemon juice and pulse again. When the dough holds together, dump it onto a lightly floured surface and press into either a 12 inch long or a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 2 hours, or up to 2 days. (I froze mine, it should keep a long time in that state.).
5. Heat the oven to 375°. For a log, slice it into coins just under 1/4 inch thick. For a disk, roll it out to just under 1/8 inch thick and stamp out 1 1/2 or 2 inch rounds or other shapes with a cookie cutter.
6. Arrange them on a ungreased baking sheet and bake until well browned around the edges and no longer doughy in the center, 15 -18 minute for thinner coins, 20 -22 minute for thicker ones. Use a spatula to careful transfer the coins to a cooling rack. (You can use parchment and just slide the whole thing off the cookie sheet to cool.).