Description
Southern cheese crackers blend traditional Southern hospitality with sharp cheddar and buttery richness. Crisp edges and intense flavor make these homemade crackers a perfect appetizer or snack for gatherings and casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 23 tbsps (345 ml) cold water (if needed)
Instructions
- Preparation: Pulse flour, salt, and cayenne pepper in a food processor to create a uniform dry mixture, establishing a flavor-infused foundation.
- Dough Formation: Incorporate cold butter cubes and grated cheddar cheese, pulsing until the mixture resembles coarse, crumbly fragments that barely cling together, adding minimal cold water if needed to achieve proper binding.
- Chilling Process: Form the dough into a cylindrical log on parchment paper, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for one hour to solidify ingredients and intensify flavors.
- Shaping and Cutting: Extract chilled dough log and slice into uniform 1/4-inch thick rounds, positioning them methodically on a parchment-lined baking sheet with strategic spacing.
- Baking Technique: Slide the prepared sheet into a 350F (175C) oven, baking until cracker edges turn golden and surfaces develop a crisp, perfect texture.
- Cooling Method: Transfer crackers briefly to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling to maximize crispness and ensure optimal texture for serving.
Notes
- Control Moisture Carefully: Ensure the dough remains just moist enough to hold together, avoiding excess water that can make crackers tough or soggy.
- Chill for Precision: Refrigeration isn’t optional; it stabilizes butter, enhances flavor development, and prevents spreading during baking.
- Slice with Consistency: Use a sharp knife to create uniform 1/4-inch rounds, guaranteeing even baking and professional-looking crackers with consistent texture.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust cayenne pepper to personal heat preference – reduce for mild taste or increase for a spicier kick without compromising cracker structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 148
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 10.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 6.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11.9 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 3.7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg