Cheese Bites (totally Addictive)

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 2 lbs sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 (8 ounce) jar small pimento-stuffed green olives, well drained (optional)
• raw pecan halves (optional)

Recipe

• 1 combine cheese, butter, flour, salt, and cayenne in a large bowl: knead into a dough.
• 2 roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on an un-greased baking sheet.
• 3 if using olives, form each ball around 1 olive.
• 4 if using pecans, press 1 pecan half onto each ball.
• 5 can bake them right now (see instructions below) or freeze for later.
• 6 place in trays in freezer for 30 minutes.
• 7 remove from freezer and place in freezer bags or container.
• 8 seal and freeze.
• 9 can bake them straight from freezer.
• 10 preheat oven to 425°f.
• 11 place cheese balls 3 inches apart on an un-greased baking sheet.
• 12 bake 15-17 minutes if frozen, 13-15 minutes if thawed.