120 minutes
Crispy and cheesy homemade crackers made with sharp cheddar cheese and heavy cream.
cups
teaspoons
teaspoons
teaspoons
Cheddar Cheese, grated finely
0 oz
cups
each
each
tablespoons
teaspoons
1. Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) with the oven rack adjusted to the middle position. This will ensure your crackers bake evenly.
2. Prepare Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. This helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasonings throughout the dough.
3. Combine Cheese and Dry Ingredients
Toss the grated cheddar cheese with the dry ingredients until everything is well combined. This step ensures that the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the dough, giving each cracker a consistent cheesy flavor.
4. Add Heavy Cream
Pour the heavy cream into the dry mixture and stir with a flexible spatula until the dough comes together. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it until it becomes pliable and smooth, which should only take a few minutes.
5. Divide and Roll Dough
Divide the dough in half and roll each portion into a 15- by 11-inch rectangle, no more than 1/8-inch thick, on a lightly floured surface. This will give you a thin, crisp cracker.
6. Cut Dough
Carefully transfer the rolled dough to a parchment-lined half sheet pan. Using a fluted pastry wheel, cut the dough into 1-inch squares. This tool will give the edges a decorative touch, but a pizza cutter works fine too.
7. Prepare Egg Wash
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, egg yolk, water, and salt to make the egg wash. Brush this mixture over the dough squares and sprinkle lightly with additional salt. This will give your crackers a lovely golden color and an extra hint of flavor.
8. Optional: Indent Crackers
If you like, press a small indentation into the center of each square using a bamboo skewer or chopstick. This is optional but adds a professional look to your homemade crackers.
9. Bake Crackers
Bake the crackers in the preheated oven for about 24 minutes, or until they are golden brown. This baking time ensures that the crackers develop a deep, nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch.
10. Cool and Store
Once baked, allow the crackers to cool to room temperature on the baking sheet. Store them in an airtight container, and they will stay fresh for up to one month.
Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for a spicy kick. Add in some finely chopped jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the dough for extra heat.
Use Parmesan cheese in place of cheddar, and add 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary to the dough for an aromatic flavor.
Add finely chopped fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or chives to the dough for a fragrant twist. Alternatively, for a spicy kick, incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper or some finely diced jalapeño.
Swap out the cheddar cheese for a milder cheese like Gruyère or mozzarella and add 1 teaspoon of dried Italian herbs and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder to the flour mixture.
Before baking, sprinkle the tops of the crackers with flaky sea salt, cracked black pepper, or a spice blend like za'atar for an extra layer of flavor right before serving.
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