Description
These homemade cheese crackers are a delightful, crunchy snack made with sharp cheddar cheese and a buttery dough. Perfectly seasoned and baked to golden perfection, they offer a savory bite that's ideal for parties, lunchboxes, or anytime snacking. Made from simple ingredients and easily prepared in a food processor, these crackers combine ease and flavor in one irresistible recipe.
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 6 ounces sharp yellow cheddar cheese, shredded (1 and 1/2 cups shredded)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into 6 pieces
- 2 Tablespoons cold water
Optional Toppings
- Sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Process shredded cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt together in a food processor until just combined, about 30 seconds. Add the cold unsalted butter pieces and continue to process until the mixture resembles wet sand, about 20 seconds. Add cold water and pulse about 10 times until the dough forms large clumps.
- Chill Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Divide it into two halves and shape each into a 6-inch square by patting with your hands—no rolling pin needed. If the dough feels dry, moisten your fingers with cold water. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days, allowing the dough to firm up.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Unwrap each chilled dough square and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll each out into a roughly 9-inch square. Trim edges with a fluted pastry wheel, pizza cutter, or sharp knife to make a neat 8-inch square. Cut each square into 8 equal strips widthwise, then cut each strip into 8 one-inch squares, yielding 64 cracker squares per dough portion.
- Prepare Crackers for Baking: Place the cracker squares on the prepared baking sheets. Use a skewer or large toothpick to poke a hole in the center of each cracker to prevent puffing. Lightly sprinkle with sea salt if desired to enhance flavor.
- Bake Crackers: Bake in the preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes until crackers are golden brown around the edges. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through baking to ensure even browning. For extra crunch, bake for up to 20 minutes.
- Cool and Store: Remove crackers from oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheets before serving. Store any leftovers at room temperature for up to one week. Keep the container slightly ajar to help maintain crispness as a tight seal can cause them to lose crunch.
Notes
- If dough feels too dry while shaping, moisten fingers with cold water to help pat the dough without cracking.
- Using sharp cheddar cheese is key for bold flavor; you can experiment with other cheddar varieties but adjust salt accordingly.
- Sea salt sprinkled on top is optional but adds a nice pop of salty contrast.
- Store crackers in an airtight container but leave the lid slightly off to keep them crisp for longer.
- These crackers can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 2 days before baking to save time.
