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Homemade Cheez It Crackers Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 110 reviews

These homemade Cheez It crackers are a deliciously cheesy and crunchy snack made from scratch using sharp cheddar cheese, butter, and a simple mix of pantry staples. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, these crackers offer that classic savory bite without any preservatives or additives found in store-bought varieties.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Mixture

  • 8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature)
  • 1 tablespoon organic vegetable shortening
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

Dough

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons ice water (more or less as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cheese mixture: Combine the grated sharp cheddar cheese, unsalted butter, vegetable shortening, and sea salt in a food processor or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix until well incorporated.
  2. Add flour: Add the all-purpose flour to the cheese mixture and pulse in the food processor or mix on low speed until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
  3. Add ice water: Gradually add the ice water one tablespoon at a time while running the mixer or processor until the dough just starts to come together. Avoid adding too much water; the dough should clump but not be sticky.
  4. Form dough discs: Gather the dough and shape it into three discs approximately 4 inches in diameter. Handle the dough gently to prevent overworking.
  5. Chill the dough: Wrap each disc tightly in waxed or parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days until ready to bake.
  6. Preheat and prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the dough from the fridge and allow it to rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
  7. Roll out dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough until it is about 1/8 inch thick, smoothing the edges as you go.
  8. Cut crackers: Using a ruler and a sharp knife, pastry cutter, or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1-inch squares. Use a skewer to poke a hole in the center of each cracker to mimic the classic Cheez It look.
  9. Arrange and bake: Use a sharp spatula to gently separate the crackers and transfer the parchment paper with the crackers onto a baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 13 minutes, or until the edges become lightly browned and crisp.
  10. Cool and serve: Allow the crackers to cool on the pan for about 5 minutes. Serve warm or let them cool completely to room temperature. This recipe yields approximately 7 to 8 dozen crackers.

Notes

  • Be careful not to overwork the dough to keep the crackers tender rather than tough.
  • Adjust the amount of ice water depending on humidity and flour absorption to get the right dough consistency.
  • Store baked crackers in an airtight container for up to two weeks to maintain freshness.
  • For extra flavor, sprinkle a little sea salt or your favorite seasoning on top before baking.

Keywords: Cheez It, homemade crackers, cheddar crackers, snack recipes, crunchy crackers

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/homemade-cheez-it-crackers-recipe/