Sausage Cheese Bites with Honey Mustard Dip

These fairly ubiqutous appetizers become something special with the use of a secret ingredient (or two!) in the homemade baking mix, and an inspired dip recipe perfectly suited to them.

Sausage Cheese Bites
2 cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper (optional)
1/4 cup chilled rendered bacon fat (you can substitute butter, lard or shortening here, but the flavor will change accordingly)
1 pound uncooked pork sausage
12 oz (3 cups) finely shredded cheddar cheese (mild, medium or sharp, your choice)

Combine flour, baking powder, salt and pepper in bowl of food processor, add chilled bacon grease in spoonfuls, then pulse briefly to cut fat into flour mixture. Alternatively, this can be done by hand or with a pastry blender. Place into large mixing bowl, and by hand or with mixer, combine with raw sausage and grated cheese until it is well mixed and will hold it's shape when formed. Scoop and form one inch balls and place on parchment lined cookie sheets. If you have space, chill them in the freezer for 20 minutes prior to baking. This helps them hold their shape and not spread too much.

Bake at 375 for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your oven, until browned and sizzling. Makes 60 appetizers. May be served warm or at room temperature.

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

1/2 cup Best Foods Mayonnaise

1 tbps yellow mustard

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp oil

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Whisk all together until well combined. Makes about 3/4 cup of dip, the perfect amount to go with 60 sausage bites.