Pat Hull's Cheese Bites

One of the fun things about cleaning out my moms storage is finding her stash of recipes. Lots of cookbooks, but also lots of boxes of recipes she's either gotten from friends or clipped out of magazines. I'm finding some old favorites, some strangely interesting recipes (like the Vienna Sausage Cornbread) and recipes that really take me back to the 60's and 70's.

This recipe came from a friend of Moms named Pat Hull. My mom had a gazillion copies of the recipe so I'm going to assume that folks where my mom worked really liked it and the recipe made it's rounds back in the early 90's. Mom's had the recipe for years but I've never made them myself. I did laugh at one ingredient in the list, which tells that this isn't a recent recipe...it asks for Oleo.

You can find variations of these little bites all over the net. Some add more cheese or different kinds of cheese like Monterey Jack, others add more flour. Some use cake flour, others use Tabasco instead of Cayenne Pepper. There are versions with sesame seeds, pine nuts and cream cheese. The recipe on the Rice Krispies site even says you can substitute All-Bran for the Rice Krispies. Most of the recipes seem to have someones name associated with them...Mom's Cheese Bites, Aunt's Rice Krispy Cheese Bites.

I think this is a good basic recipe version to start with. Just a little heat from the cayenne. I wanted more of a cheese flavor so I might try adding more sharp cheddar next time or even trying an extra sharp.To me they were a bit bland, but Mr. L and my mom seemed to like them.

Now be aware that the Rice Krispies don't get pulverized in this version so when you bite into the little crackers (and I call them crackers for lack of a better description...they aren't cookies) there is a bit of a crunch. When Mr. L first tried these, unknowing of the ingredients, he stopped and almost spit the Cheese Bite out, afraid maybe I had mixed in something alien into the recipe. But once I gave him the ingredient list and he got over his "there are Rice Krispies in here? What for?" moment, I think he found these a bit addicting.

As an FYI, though it can be a bit decieiving by the photograph and the mini-plate I put these on, the size of each bite is just a bit bigger than a quarter.

The recipe is written exactly how it came from Pat Hull.

PAT HULL'S CHEESE BITES

1 cup oleo - room softened (not spread) !!! butter makes it better !!!
2 cups flour (sifted)
3 oz. grated cheddar cheese (sharp)
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup Rice Krispies

When well mixed, pinch off small pieces and make into small balls. Place on cookie sheet - mash down with fork slightly. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 15-20 minutes. More like an appetizer.

Note: I used Challenge Butter

Note: I mixed everything but the Rice Krispies together for a bit before adding them in.

Note: I started out with a spoon but ended up using my hands to mix the ingredients together.

Note: These can crumble easily so be sure to treat them gently.

 

 

Comments

[MOM]

I just love these. You could make it a little hotter. I could eat a dozen of these in one sitting (maybe even more). I'd forgotten all about them. Yummy

[Associate Girl]

Oh this put a smile on my face. I adore my mom's hand written recipe cards and the little reference to the friend who provided the recipe. I can take out the box and feel like I am having a visit with them.

I don't think I ever told you - your post about the fudge with the surprise ingredient - that fudge has become a standard request for book club!

[Chris]

Maybe you could use a smoked cheese to boost the flavor? It sounds good to me, I like the idea of using a pepper jack cheese for this.

[Mrs. L]

Mom - I'm with you, maybe a little extra cayenne would make these pop a bit more.

Associate Girl - I love all these little recipes I'm finding that my mom has saved. Wish I had more time to make everything. And love that the "special ingredient" fudge works for you!

Chris - I bet a smoked cheese would work perfect in this dish!