Homemade Cheddar Crackers (Cheez-It Style)
Homemade Cheddar Crackers (Cheez-It Style)
Ingredients
For the Crackers
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 tablespoons butter, cubed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Begin by grating the sharp cheddar cheese into a large bowl using a box grater.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Add the cubed butter and salt to the shredded cheese in the bowl.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Mix the cheese, butter, and salt by hand, working the ingredients together until they combine and form a cohesive, sticky ball.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Incorporate the all-purpose flour into the cheese mixture. Continue mixing by hand until the mixture becomes crumbly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Pour in the cold water and continue to knead the mixture by hand until it forms a smooth, unified dough ball.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Wrap the dough ball tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate it for at least one hour to firm up. This step is crucial for easy rolling.
⏱️ 60 min
- 7
After chilling, unwrap the dough and cut it in half. Place one half on a baking mat or a sheet of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin or a heavy glass, roll out the dough into a thin, even layer, aiming for about 1/8 inch thickness.
⏱️ 10 min
- 8
Trim the edges of the rolled-out dough to create a perfect square or rectangle. Then, use a knife or a pastry wheel to cut the dough into small, evenly sized squares, roughly 1 inch by 1 inch.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
Using a skewer, toothpick, or similar tool, poke a small hole in the center of each cracker square. This helps prevent puffing during baking.
⏱️ 3 min
- 10
Carefully transfer the shaped crackers onto a baking sheet lined with a baking mat or parchment paper, ensuring they are spread out with a little space between them. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Monitor them closely, as they can burn easily.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375
- 11
Once baked, allow the crackers to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They will crisp up further as they cool. Serve and enjoy!
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Homemade Cheddar Crackers (Cheez-It Style)
Ingredients
For the Crackers
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 tablespoons butter, cubed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Begin by grating the sharp cheddar cheese into a large bowl using a box grater.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Add the cubed butter and salt to the shredded cheese in the bowl.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Mix the cheese, butter, and salt by hand, working the ingredients together until they combine and form a cohesive, sticky ball.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Incorporate the all-purpose flour into the cheese mixture. Continue mixing by hand until the mixture becomes crumbly.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Pour in the cold water and continue to knead the mixture by hand until it forms a smooth, unified dough ball.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Wrap the dough ball tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerate it for at least one hour to firm up. This step is crucial for easy rolling.
⏱️ 60 min - 7
After chilling, unwrap the dough and cut it in half. Place one half on a baking mat or a sheet of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin or a heavy glass, roll out the dough into a thin, even layer, aiming for about 1/8 inch thickness.
⏱️ 10 min - 8
Trim the edges of the rolled-out dough to create a perfect square or rectangle. Then, use a knife or a pastry wheel to cut the dough into small, evenly sized squares, roughly 1 inch by 1 inch.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
Using a skewer, toothpick, or similar tool, poke a small hole in the center of each cracker square. This helps prevent puffing during baking.
⏱️ 3 min - 10
Carefully transfer the shaped crackers onto a baking sheet lined with a baking mat or parchment paper, ensuring they are spread out with a little space between them. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Monitor them closely, as they can burn easily.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375 - 11
Once baked, allow the crackers to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They will crisp up further as they cool. Serve and enjoy!
⏱️ 5 min