Description
Homemade Cheeze-Its are crispy, cheesy crackers made from sharp cheddar, butter, and simple seasonings. This recipe uses a quick dough preparation method in a food processor, with chilled dough rolled out and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for snacking or entertaining, these savory crackers deliver that classic Cheeze-It flavor in a fresh, homemade form.
Ingredients
Cheese Dough
- 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) salted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2-3 tablespoons ice water
Instructions
- Mix Cheese and Butter: In a food processor or blender, pulse the shredded cheddar cheese, softened butter, seasoning salt, and garlic powder until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Add Flour: Add the all-purpose flour and pulse again until the dough resembles coarse sand, ensuring the ingredients are well combined.
- Incorporate Ice Water: Drizzle in the ice water one tablespoon at a time while pulsing until the dough begins to form a ball. Add up to one more tablespoon if necessary to achieve the right consistency.
- Chill Dough: Transfer the dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap, shape it into a disc, wrap tightly, and refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up the dough.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Roll Out Dough: Cut the chilled dough in half. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each half to about ⅛ to ¼ inch thick to ensure crispy crackers.
- Cut Dough Into Squares: Using a sharp knife or pastry cutter, cut the dough into approximately 1-inch squares, keeping the pieces uniform in size for even baking.
- Create Holes: Use the tip of a skewer or toothpick to poke a hole in the center of each square. This helps the crackers bake evenly and adds the classic Cheeze-It look.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the squares onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a small gap between each to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the crackers in the preheated oven for 12 to 16 minutes, or until they are crisp and lightly golden around the edges.
- Cool Completely: Remove the crackers from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cool, store them in an airtight container for freshness.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for best texture.
- The ice water should be added gradually to avoid making the dough too sticky.
- Chilling the dough is important to make it easier to roll and cut.
- Rolling the dough uniformly will help the crackers bake evenly.
- Modify seasoning salt and garlic powder to taste if desired.
- Store crackers in an airtight container to maintain crispness for up to 1 week.
