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Homemade Graham Crackers Recipe

4.6 from 149 reviews

This homemade graham crackers recipe yields delightfully crisp and flavorful crackers, made with whole wheat and all-purpose flours, infused with warm cinnamon and natural sweeteners like honey and molasses. Perfect for snacking, s’mores, or dunking into milk or tea, these crackers have a wholesome, slightly sweet taste with a satisfying crunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 and 1/2 cups (195g) whole wheat flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 2/3 cup (83g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

  • 8 Tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/3 cup (67g) packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup (113g) honey
  • 1 teaspoon (7g) molasses (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons (23g/ml) milk, at room temperature (any kind, dairy or nondairy)

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until well combined. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and creamy, approximately 3 minutes. Add honey, molasses, and vanilla extract and continue to beat until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides as needed. Add the milk and the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
  2. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two portions and shape each into a flattened square. Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 days. This chilling step is crucial for proper texture and ease of rolling.
  3. Prepare for Rolling: If chilled more than an hour, allow dough to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to soften slightly. Place a silicone baking mat on your work surface to prevent slipping, then lay a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper on top. Position one dough portion on the parchment, lightly flour the top, and cover with another sheet of parchment paper.
  4. Roll and Cut: Roll the dough into an even rectangle about 1/8-inch thick. Remove the top parchment sheet, trim edges if desired, and use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough into evenly sized rectangles or squares. Do not separate the pieces; leave them connected as one slab. Dock each cracker several times with a fork to prevent puffing during baking. Transfer the parchment with dough onto a baking sheet. Repeat this process with the second dough portion.
  5. Chill Again: Refrigerate the baking sheets with the cut dough slabs for 20 minutes before baking. This additional chill step minimizes spreading and helps achieve crisp crackers.
  6. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C) to prepare for baking.
  7. Bake: Bake the crackers for about 16 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway through to ensure even browning. The crackers are done when edges are lightly golden and the tops appear dry.
  8. Cool: Let the crackers cool on the baking sheet for 5–10 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. They will crisp up further as they cool.
  9. Cut and Store: Once fully cooled, cut along the seams to separate the individual graham crackers. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • For a stronger molasses flavor and darker color, use dark molasses; optional but recommended for authentic taste.
  • Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature to blend easily and achieve the correct dough consistency.
  • Use parchment paper and a silicone mat when rolling to prevent sticking and aid cleanup.
  • Docking the crackers prevents air bubbles, resulting in flat and crisp crackers.
  • Allow the dough to chill well between steps to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter for clean edges on your crackers.
  • Store crackers in an airtight container to keep them crisp up to one week.

Keywords: homemade graham crackers, graham cracker recipe, cinnamon crackers, whole wheat crackers, baked snack