Homemade Cheese Crackers
Ingredients
- 6 ounces sharp yellow cheddar cheese
shredded*, 1 and 1/2 cups shredded
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
125g
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch*
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
cold and cut into 6 pieces, 85g
- 2 Tablespoons cold water
- optional: sea salt for sprinkling
Directions
- 1
Process cheddar cheese, flour, cornstarch, and salt together in a food processor until combined, about 30 seconds. Add butter and process until mixture resembles wet sand, about 20 seconds. Add water and pulse until dough forms large clumps, about 10 pulses.
- 2
Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface. Divide in half and pat each into a 6-inch square. (No need to use a rolling pin, just pat with hands.) If the dough feels dry, moisten your fingers with cold water. Carefully wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 45 minutes and up to 2 days.
- 3
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- 4
Unwrap each dough square. Place each on a lightly floured work surface and roll out into a 9-inch square. Doesn’t need to be perfect! Using a fluted pastry wheel, pizza cutter, or small sharp knife, trim dough into a neat 8 inch square. Slice square into 8 strips, each 1 inch wide, then make 8 perpendicular slices, each 1 inch wide. Each 8-inch square will have 64 squares (crackers).
- 5
Place squares on prepared baking sheet. Use a skewer or large toothpick to poke a hole through the center of each. Lightly sprinkle with sea salt, if desired. Bake until golden brown around the edges, about 16-18 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through baking. For crunchier crackers, bake for 20 minutes.
- 6
Remove from the oven and cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.
- 7
Store leftover crackers at room temperature for up to 1 week. If tightly sealed, they’ll lose their crunch. Feel free to keep the lid slightly ajar to maintain some crunchiness.
Homemade Cheese Crackers
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About this Recipe
Imagine the irresistible crunch and savory flavor of your favorite cheese crackers, but made fresh in your own kitchen. This recipe for homemade cheese crackers brings that nostalgic, cheesy goodness right to your fingertips, offering a delightful snack that's far superior to anything from a box.
The secret to truly exceptional homemade cheese crackers lies in the careful selection and combination of a few high-quality ingredients. We start with sharp yellow cheddar cheese, ensuring a bold, authentic cheesy flavor that truly shines through in every bite. The addition of cornstarch alongside all-purpose flour is a clever touch, working to create a tender yet remarkably crisp texture, preventing any rubberiness often found in store-bought versions. This precise blend delivers a cracker that's both robust in flavor and satisfyingly light.
You can anticipate a truly satisfying snack experience when you bake these homemade cheese crackers. Each bite delivers a rich, savory burst from the sharp cheddar, perfectly balanced with that delicate, crisp texture we all crave. While the dough requires an hour of active prep, allowing you to carefully shred the cheese and combine the ingredients, the hands-on process is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. The short 16-minute bake time then transforms your dough into perfectly golden, bite-sized crackers, promising a fresh, cheesy aroma that fills your kitchen. The result is a batch of undeniably delicious, crisp crackers, ideal for any cheesy craving you might have.
Feel free to make these crackers your own with simple adjustments. While sharp cheddar provides a classic flavor, you could experiment by substituting a portion of it with a hard, salty cheese like Parmesan or even a touch of smoked gouda for added complexity. For a subtle kick, knead a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of garlic powder into the dough. Don't have sea salt for sprinkling? A light dusting of finely ground table salt before baking will still enhance the cheesy notes beautifully.
These homemade cheese crackers are perfect for a casual afternoon snack, a sophisticated addition to a charcuterie board, or a delightful accompaniment to a warm bowl of soup or chili. Serve them simply on their own, or alongside your favorite creamy dip for an elevated experience that will impress any guest.