These aren’t crackers. They definitely aren’t cookies either, so don’t go thinking you’re about to have a sweet treat. No, these are wafers — Southern Pecan Cheese Wafers, to be exact, and while they’re certainly a treat, it’s of the savory variety. They’re flavor-packed little circles, with plenty of cheesy flavor, a little kick, and an irresistibly crisp exterior. Be prepared to be the most popular person at any party you bring these to!

If you’re accustomed to making cookies, making these doesn’t feel all that different. First, you’re going to make a dough by creaming some butter, but this time it’s with some Worcestershire sauce thrown in. Then you’ll add flour, salt, cayenne, paprika, and black pepper, and once that’s come together you’ll mix in a heaping amount of sharp cheddar cheese. Sharp is important because you want these to really have standout cheese flavor!

You need to chill the dough for a couple of hours before scooping it out into balls. (You can chill it as long as three days, so these make for a great make-ahead option.)

Press those little spheres down with the tines of a fork…

… and top each one with a pecan half…

… and bake!

The center stays soft while the outside crisps up and that little pecan half gets beautifully toasty. And then of course there’s the cheese — it melts right into that dough so the whole thing tastes of sharp cheddar, but with a little cayenne kick to back it up. They’re rich, yes, but the texture is so light.

You can keep these in an airtight container for two days, but they will soften as they sit. To re-crisp them, just pop them in a 350 degree oven for five minutes and they’ll be as warm and crunchy as when they were brand new.