Scottish Sharp-Cheddar Shortbread

Ingredients

• 0.3 teaspoon pepper black freshly ground
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper 
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 1 cup unbleached flour all-purpose
• 0.5 cup butter unsalted at room temperature (1 stick)
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded white extra-sharp finely

Equipment

• baking sheet
• baking paper
• oven
• whisk
• plastic wrap
• hand mixer

Directions

1. Using electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment, beat together butter, salt, black pepper, and cayenne at low speed just until blended.
2. Add Cheddar and flour and mix at low speed just until smooth (do not overmix). Shape dough into disk, wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper, and chill 30 minutes.
3. Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. On lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4- to 1/8-inch-thick round. Using 1 1/2- to 2-inch round cutter, cut out rounds and arrange 1 1/2 inches apart on baking sheets. Reroll scraps if desired (rerolled scraps will be tougher).
5. Bake shortbread until lightly golden and beginning to brown on edges, about 13 to 15 minutes. Cool on sheets 5 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
6. •Look for a sharp, white Cheddar that is on the dry side, such as English Wensleydale Farmhouse Truckle or Extra Old Black Diamond Cheddar.•It's important not to whip air into the dough — simply mix until blended.