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Homemade Cheese Crackers Recipe

4.5 from 130 reviews

These Homemade Cheese Crackers are a simple, crunchy snack made with sharp cheddar cheese and a buttery dough. Perfectly baked to golden-brown perfection, they offer a satisfying blend of cheesy flavor and crisp texture. Ideal for serving with dips or enjoying on their own, these cracker bites are a delightful homemade alternative to store-bought versions.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Cracker Dough

  • 6 ounces sharp yellow cheddar cheese, shredded (1 and 1/2 cups shredded)
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into 6 pieces
  • 2 Tablespoons cold water
  • Optional: sea salt for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: Process cheddar cheese, flour, cornstarch, and salt together in a food processor until combined, about 30 seconds. Add the cold butter pieces and process until the mixture resembles wet sand, about 20 seconds. Add the cold water and pulse until the dough forms large clumps, about 10 pulses.
  2. Chill Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface. Divide it in half and pat each portion into a 6-inch square, using your hands to shape rather than a rolling pin. If the dough feels dry, moisten your fingers with cold water. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 45 minutes or up to 2 days.
  3. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure easy removal and prevent sticking.
  4. Roll and Cut Dough: Unwrap each chilled dough square and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll out each into approximately a 9-inch square, using gentle pressure as perfection isn’t required. Trim each square neatly to 8 inches using a fluted pastry wheel, pizza cutter, or small sharp knife. Cut into 8 strips, each 1 inch wide, then cut perpendicular slices 1 inch apart, making 64 small squares (crackers) per dough square.
  5. Prepare for Baking: Arrange the cracker squares on the prepared baking sheets. Using a skewer or large toothpick, poke a hole through the center of each cracker. Lightly sprinkle sea salt over the crackers if desired to enhance flavor.
  6. Bake: Bake the crackers in the preheated oven for 16-18 minutes until they are golden brown around the edges. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through to ensure even baking. For extra crunchiness, bake for up to 20 minutes.
  7. Cool: Remove the crackers from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets. This helps them firm up and achieve the perfect crunchy texture.
  8. Store: Store any leftover crackers at room temperature for up to one week. To maintain their crispness, avoid airtight sealing; keeping the container lid slightly ajar prevents them from becoming soggy.

Notes

  • You can substitute sharp yellow cheddar with other types of sharp cheese for different flavor profiles.
  • If the dough feels too dry while patting, adding a little more cold water can help bring it together.
  • Using cold butter is crucial for flaky texture and prevents the dough from becoming greasy.
  • Roll the dough to uniform thickness for consistent baking and cracker size.
  • Keep an eye on baking time as ovens vary; crackers should be golden around edges but not overly browned.
  • For varied seasoning, try sprinkling smoked paprika or garlic powder instead of sea salt.
  • Store crackers in a container with slight air exposure to maintain crispness and avoid sogginess.

Keywords: homemade cheese crackers, cheddar crackers, crispy snack, baked crackers, easy snack recipe