Camaraderie Cellars, one of our Washington State Wineries on the Olympic Peninsula, has found the perfect cookie to pair with a glass of Washington State Wine. Read on for the recipe, and hope that they’ll be served during the upcoming Harvest Wine Tour, November 13 and 14, 21010.

BLEU CHEESE COOKIES

1/2 cup cream cheese, room temp

1 cup butter, at room temperature

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

1 ½ cups crumbled blue cheese

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups crisp rice cereal, such as Rice Krispies

2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a mixer on medium speed, cream together cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add cayenne, blue cheese, flour, rice cereal, and bacon (if using) and beat on medium-low speed until well blended. The dough will be stiff.

2. Roll 1 tablespoon portions into balls and place slightly apart on baking sheets. Flatten each ball with a fork.

3. Bake until cookies are golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.

4. Enjoy with a glass of your favorite Washington State Wine.

Yield: Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Camaraderie Cellars from Sunset Magazine 2/06 March 2008