Bacon Cheddar Bites

These savory bite-sized snacks are a sure crowd pleaser during holiday parties and football games. Easy to make, they bake up crispy and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 8 rashers bacon, cooked
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 2 tbsp Ba-Tampte or Dijon mustard
• 1 egg, beaten

Helpful Gear:

• Silpat
• Sharp knife*

*The better and sharper the knife, the easier it is to cut the bites thin

Divide a sheet of puff pastry in half. Lay the half sheets out side by side with the long edge facing you.

Cover the puff pastry with mustard, leaving a long edge plain for at least an inch. Top mustard with bacon, then cheese, then sprinkle seasonings on top.

Brush the plain edge with the beaten egg and starting with the edge opposite the egg, roll up into a cylinder. Place the rolls in a refrigerator for 30 minutes to one day. If they refrigerate for a least a few hours, they will be much easier to cut thin.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Using a very sharp knife, slice the rolls into rounds between a quarter and a half inch thick. Don't worry if they squish a little, they will round out a little when they bake. You should get between 40 and 50 rounds total.

Arrange the rounds on a Silpat-covered baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes, or until just starting to brown. I like to serve mine with a selection of hot sauces.

Enjoy!