Cookie’s Heaven Bites

A couple notes – Parmesan is probably your first choice of cheese for the crackers. I liked the smokiness of the smoked gouda, but one of my friends thought it was too strong. I’ve also made these with a few crumbles of bacon on top because we all know bacon makes everything better!

And finally, if you are in a pinch, skip the crackers and buy some cheese crackers at the store! The rest of the ingredients will come together in less than 10 minutes! If you use store bought crackers, start at step 6 below.

Steps:

1. First, make the crackers – In a medium bowl, smoosh together the flour and butter with your fingers. Once it’s well combined, add the egg yolk, mustard, salt, and the grated (Parmesan, gouda, etc) cheese, and knead everything together with your hands. The mix will form into a semi dry dough.

2. Lay out a piece of plastic wrap and form the dough into a cylinder on top of the plastic wrap. Wrap up the the dough tightly in the plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for at least 10 minutes.

3. Heat the oven to 400 degrees (F). Pull out the chilled dough and slice off circular pieces. Place the dough circles on a foil lined cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Use a fork and press down each cracker to give it some nice ridges. Bake the crackers for 10-15 minutes until edges are just browning. Remove from oven and let cool.

4. Next prep the mascarpone by whipping the cheese with the honey. Give into the temptation to stick a pinky in this cracktastic mixture and take a taste. Place the whipped mixture into a plastic sandwich bag. Snip the corner. You will use this like a frosting bag!

5. Open the pomegranate and scoop out the seeds. Chiffonade the basil.

6. Next, time to assemble.

7. On each cracker, spread some fig jam, pipe out a mound of mascarpone, press some pomegranate seeds into the cheese (about 4-5 seeds per cracker), top off with some basil.

8. Now pop the whole thing in your mouth, close your eyes, and let all flavors hit you! Mmmm!

My favorite part is how the pomegranate seeds provide a little surprise burst of juice in your mouth on top of all the other flavors!

9. Force yourself to go on making more for your party without eating every single one yourself. Enjoy sharing this little bite of heaven with your friends.