4.9 from 186 votes
Southern Pecan Cheese Wafers
If you have never had Southern Pecan Cheese Wafers you are missing out! This cheese crackers recipe is nothing like you have ever bought at the store. It is a really fun cocktail appetizer and goes great with drinks and a cheese plate!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Chill Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 33 mins
Servings: 60
Calories: 83 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened (2 sticks)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups flour spooned and leveled
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded*
- 60-70 pecan halves
Instructions
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce until smooth and creamy.
- Add 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika, if you're using it. Beat well, scraping the sides.
- Add the cheddar cheese and beat well, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- Cover the dough and chill well, at least 2 or 3 hours or up to 3 days.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on the baking sheet 1 inch apart. Press the top of each ball with a fork (if the fork sticks, coat with flour).
- Place a pecan half on top of each wafer.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes, until the edges are quite brown.
- Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store covered on the counter. Best served within 2 days.
- Re-heating: I made these a day in advance as Thanksgiving appetizers. They lose a bit of their crunch by day 2, so I spread them out on baking sheets and baked at 350 for about 5 minutes until they got crispy again. Worked great!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- * This comes out to about 3 cups, very well packed.
- You can also make these cookies as slice-and-bakes. Once the dough has come together split in half and shape each half into a log about 12-14 inches long. Wrap in plastic and chill for 2-3 hours. When you are ready to bake, use a sharp knife to cut into 1/2 inch slices. Place on a baking sheet and top each wafer with a pecan half, gently pressing down (It won't go in to the cold dough very far, but once it's baked it will stick.) Bake as directed. It would be fun to package up a roll of chilled dough and gift it to someone with a bag of pecans and instructions to go with it. A nice holiday gift that is not so sugary.
- I also tried making these with chopped pecans in the dough. Add about 3-4 cups chopped pecans to the dough and stir until incorporated. Shape into logs, chill, and bake as directed. If you are short on pecans, this is a good way to make sure every wafer gets some pecan.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
83kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
4g
(1%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
16mg
(5%)
Potassium
18mg
(1%)
Fiber
0.3g
(1%)
Sugar
0.1g
(0%)
Vitamin A
182IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
0.04mg
(0%)
Calcium
56mg
(6%)
Iron
0.3mg
(2%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 60Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 83
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 83kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 16mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 18mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 0.3g | 1% |
| Sugar | 0.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 182IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 0.04mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 56mg | 6% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.