Lemon-Pepper Crackers

Lemon – Pepper Crackers

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt, for sprinkling

Directions:

To prepare the crackers: Combine the flour, pepper, lemon rind, and butter in a large bowl. Blend with fingertips or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in the sour cream, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon cold water. Toss to form stiff dough. Turn out onto a floured work surface and knead briefly into a ball. Add a 1 to 2 teaspoons of cold water if the dough appears to be too stiff. Wrap the ball in plastic and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 15 minutes (The dough can be made up to a day in advance).

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the ball in half and working with one half at a time, roll the dough out 1/16-inch thick. Use a 2-inch cookie cutter to make 16 rounds. Repeat with the other half of the dough. Transfer to an ungreased cookie sheet and sprinkle with salt. Bake in the middle of the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden. Cool on wire racks for 5 minutes before serving. Yield: 32 crackers.