Quick Southern Cheese Crackers: A Homestyle Snack Recipe

Crispy, golden crackers with a southern cheese delight recipe that captures the heart of comfort cooking burst with irresistible flavor.

southern kitchens have long celebrated these cheesy, melt-in-your-mouth bites that dance between savory and rich.

Every bite tells a story of traditional southern hospitality and culinary passion.

Homemade crackers offer a personal touch that store-bought snacks simply cannot match.

These crackers bring warmth and nostalgia to any gathering, promising delectable moments of pure enjoyment.

Gather your ingredients and get ready to bake a batch of pure southern charm that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Serving Southern Cheese Crackers Creatively

• Cheese Cracker Party Platter: Create a stunning appetizer display by arranging these crispy crackers on a wooden board with various accompaniments like fig jam, olive tapenade, and fresh herb sprigs for an elegant touch.
• Cocktail Hour Companion: Pair these spicy southern crackers with chilled white wine, craft beer, or a classic bourbon cocktail to elevate your evening entertaining experience.
• Gourmet Gifting Idea: Package these homemade crackers in cute mason jars or vintage tins with a ribbon, making them a perfect hostess gift or edible present for food-loving friends.
• Charcuterie Board Star: Nestle these crackers alongside cured meats, soft cheeses, and dried fruits to create a mouthwatering charcuterie spread that will impress guests at any gathering.

Store Southern Cheese Crackers for Later

• Smart Storage Solutions
• – Airtight Container Strategy: Store cooled crackers in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them crisp and maintaining their delightful texture.
• – Refrigeration Technique: Layer crackers between parchment paper sheets to prevent sticking, extending their shelf life to 7-10 days when refrigerated.
• – Freezing Magic: Wrap the unsliced dough logs tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months, allowing convenient make-ahead preparation for spontaneous entertaining.
• – Moisture Management: Add a small piece of bread to the storage container to absorb excess humidity and keep crackers wonderfully crisp.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 25

What’s in Southern Cheese Crackers

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Brings bold, tangy flavor and creates rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture with its aged sharpness.
• Salted Butter: Provides silky smoothness and enhances overall richness while adding subtle saltiness to the crackers.

• Kosher Salt: Balances and intensifies the cheese and butter flavors with its clean, pure taste.
• Cayenne Pepper: Delivers a warm, spicy undercurrent that adds exciting depth to the crackers.
• Black Pepper: Introduces a subtle, earthy heat and complexity to the snack.
• Garlic Powder: Contributes a mellow, aromatic background note that complements the cheese perfectly.

• Pecans: Offers delightful nutty crunch and Southern charm, providing a textural contrast to the crisp crackers.
• All-Purpose Flour: Serves as the fundamental binding agent, creating a tender, flaky base for the crackers.

Kitchen Tools for Southern Cheese Crackers

• Mixing Bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining cheese, butter, and dry ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Hand Mixer: Perfect for beating cheese and butter until light and fluffy.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Parchment Paper: Helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
• Baking Sheets: Flat, rimmed pans for even baking of crackers.
• Cooling Rack: Allows crackers to cool down and crisp up after baking.
• Sharp Knife: Used for slicing dough logs into thin, even rounds.
• Plastic Wrap or Parchment: Needed for wrapping and chilling dough logs.

Making Southern Cheese Crackers Step-by-Step

Southern Cheese Comfort Bites

• Cheese and Butter Blend

Combine freshly grated cheese with softened butter, creating a luxurious creamy base that promises rich flavor and smooth texture.

• Spice Symphony

Sprinkle in a medley of zesty seasonings, blending salt, pepper, and garlic to awaken the taste buds with a delightful aromatic profile.

• Dough Formation

Slowly fold flour into the cheese mixture, gently transforming the ingredients into a cohesive, delectable dough that will become crispy crackers.

• Resting and Chilling

Shape the dough into elegant logs and let them rest in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and texture to develop perfectly.

• Oven Transformation

Slice the chilled dough into delicate rounds and bake until they turn golden brown, filling the kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

• Cooling and Enjoying

Transfer the warm crackers to a cooling rack, letting them crisp up into delicate, melt-in-your-mouth Southern-style bites perfect for sharing.

Tips & Variations for Southern Cheese Crackers

• Cheesy Cracker Crafting: Expert tips to elevate your Southern Cheese Delight Crackers experience.
• Cheese Selection Magic: Choose high-quality, sharp cheddar for maximum flavor punch. Aged cheddars provide deeper, more robust taste profiles that make these crackers truly unforgettable.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust cayenne pepper based on heat preference. Start with a pinch for mild warmth, or add extra for bold, zesty crackers that spark conversation at gatherings.
• Dough Handling Secrets: Keep dough cold for perfect texture. If mixture becomes too soft, pop it back in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to maintain ideal consistency and prevent spreading during baking.
• Creative Mix-Ins: Experiment with additional herbs like dried thyme, rosemary, or finely chopped chives to introduce unexpected flavor dimensions. Smoked paprika can also provide a delightful smoky undertone that complements the cheese beautifully.

Savory Southern Cheese Crackers

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Savory Southern cheese delight crackers combine rich cheddar with buttery texture. Crisp edges and sharp flavor invite cheese enthusiasts to enjoy a classic Southern snack you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (473 ml) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
• 8 tbsps (113 g) salted butter, softened
• ½ cup (60 g) pecans, finely chopped
• 1 tsp (6 g) kosher salt
• ½ tsp (1 g) cayenne pepper
• ¼ tsp (0.5 g) black pepper, freshly ground
• 1/8 tsp (0.25 g) garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Creaming: Whip softened cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, blending for approximately three minutes to create a smooth, uniform texture.
2. Seasoning Integration: Sprinkle kosher salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and garlic powder into the cheese mixture. Thoroughly mix to distribute spices evenly, ensuring a consistent flavor throughout.
3. Dough Formation: Gradually fold in all-purpose flour, kneading gently to prevent lumps. If the dough seems dry, add minimal ice water to achieve proper consistency and bind ingredients effectively.
4. Chilling Preparation: Shape the dough into two uniform cylindrical logs, each about one inch in diameter. Wrap tightly in parchment or plastic wrap, then refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the mixture.
5. Oven Preparation and Slicing: Preheat oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove chilled dough and slice into thin, eighth-inch rounds, positioning them with precise spacing on the prepared sheets.
6. Baking Process: Slide baking sheets into the preheated oven, baking for approximately 15 minutes. Watch carefully as crackers transform into golden, crisp delicacies with rich coloration.
7. Cooling and Finishing: Transfer freshly baked crackers to a cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature. This final step enhances their crispness and develops a more intense flavor profile.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerating the dough for 30 minutes helps develop stronger flavors and prevents spreading during baking, ensuring crisp and uniform crackers.
• Slice with Precision: Use a sharp knife or dental floss to cut consistently thin rounds, maintaining even thickness for uniform baking and perfect cracker texture.
• Monitor Baking Carefully: Watch crackers closely during the last 5 minutes of baking to prevent burning, as they can quickly transform from golden to overdone.
• Storage Secrets: Cool crackers completely before storing in an airtight container to preserve crispness and prevent moisture absorption, maintaining optimal texture for several days.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg