Description
Southern hospitality shines through these crispy cheese crackers, revealing generations of comforting Southern culinary tradition. Buttery, spicy, and irresistibly cheesy, these crackers deliver a perfect blend of homestyle charm that connects you directly with classic Southern kitchen warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Liquid Ingredient:
- 23 tablespoons (345 milliliters) cold water (if needed)
Instructions
- Crafting the foundation requires combining dry ingredients in a food processor, creating a uniform base with flour, salt, and a hint of cayenne pepper for subtle heat.
- Introduce cold butter cubes and freshly grated cheddar cheese into the mixture, pulsing until the texture transforms into coarse, crumbly fragments that barely hold together.
- Adjust the dough’s consistency by adding minimal cold water if the mixture seems too fragmented, ensuring the ingredients bind without becoming overly wet.
- Transfer the delicate mixture onto parchment paper, gently molding it into a cylindrical log approximately two inches in diameter, securing tightly with wrap.
- Refrigerate the dough for a minimum of one hour, allowing the ingredients to solidify and flavors to meld, which enhances the cracker’s structural integrity.
- Remove the chilled log and slice into thin, precise rounds measuring roughly 1/4-inch thick, arranging them strategically on a parchment-lined baking sheet with adequate spacing.
- Position the prepared crackers in a preheated oven at 350F (175C), baking until the edges transform into a golden hue and the surfaces develop a firm, crisp texture.
- Allow the freshly baked crackers to rest momentarily on the baking sheet, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack, permitting complete cooling and maximum crispness development.
Notes
- Ensure butter is extremely cold for the flakiest, most tender cracker texture that melts in your mouth.
- Control the heat level by adjusting cayenne pepper – less for mild flavor, more for a spicy kick that tingles the taste buds.
- Create gluten-free variations by substituting regular flour with almond or gluten-free blend, maintaining the same rich cheese flavor.
- Rolling the dough log tightly prevents air pockets and helps crackers maintain a consistent shape during baking, guaranteeing professional-looking results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 189
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg