Description
Crispy homemade Cheez-Its promise a nostalgic snack adventure with sharp cheddar and buttery crunch. Cheese crackers deliver irresistible flavor that connects you to childhood memories and satisfies sharp cheddar cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2–3 tbsps cold water
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- Additional kosher salt for topping
Instructions
- Blend Base: Cream softened butter and sharp cheddar cheese in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and fully integrated.
- Develop Dough: Incorporate flour and kosher salt into the cheese mixture on low speed, gradually transforming the texture into a coarse, crumbly consistency. Introduce cold water incrementally, gently kneading until a cohesive dough forms.
- Chill Preparation: Shape the dough into a compact disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 60 minutes to stabilize ingredients and solidify texture.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out chilled dough on parchment paper into an ultra-thin rectangular sheet approximately ⅛ inch thick. Slice into precise 1-inch squares using a sharp pizza cutter.
- Enhance and Season: Pierce each cracker square with a wooden skewer for ventilation. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle additional kosher salt to elevate flavor profile.
- Bake to Perfection: Arrange crackers on a baking sheet, maintaining slight separation. Bake for 15-17 minutes until edges turn golden-amber and surfaces achieve maximum crispness.
- Finish and Serve: Transfer immediately to a cooling rack, allowing crackers to reach room temperature and develop ultimate crunchiness before serving.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Tip: Ensure butter is precisely softened but not melty for optimal dough consistency and texture.
- Chilling Importance: Refrigeration allows gluten to relax and prevents crackers from becoming tough, creating a delicate, crisp result.
- Salt Precision: Use kosher salt for balanced flavor; sprinkle evenly to enhance overall cracker taste without overwhelming saltiness.
- Baking Timing: Watch crackers closely during final minutes to prevent burning; golden-amber edges indicate perfect doneness and crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-17 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg