CHEESE APPETIZER PASTRIES

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 tsp seasoned salt
dash hot pepper sauce
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup crispy rice cereal
30 small pecan halves
3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds*

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In small mixer bowl, combine cheese, butter, salt, and hot pepper sauce; beat till well combined. Blend in flour. Divide dough in half.

To one half, stir in cereal; roll in 30 small balls, about 2 tsp each. Place on ungreased baking sheet; flatten slightly. Top each with pecan half.

With remaining dough, shape 2-tsp portions in 2-inch logs; roll in sesame seed. OR, form 2-tsp portions of dough around olive* or date half*. Place on baking sheet.

Bake all in 350 degrees F oven for 15 min or till golden brown..

*In place of sesame seeds, may use 24 small pitted ripe olives, or 12 dates, halved crosswise and pitted.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen pecan cheese appetizers and 2 dozen sesame logs or filled cheese appetizers
Source: Magazine Clipping