Cheese Crackers with Bagel or Italian Seasoning Recipe

Introduction

These cheese crackers are a perfect blend of sharp cheddar and pecorino romano, creating a savory snack that’s crispy and full of flavor. With a hint of seasoning and easy steps, they make a delightful treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 6 oz. white sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 3 oz. pecorino romano cheese (shredded)
• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons cold water
• 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning or Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the butter, cheddar cheese, and pecorino romano into the mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on medium/high speed for 5-6 minutes until smooth and combined.
2. Step 2: Whisk the salt into the flour. Slowly add the flour mixture to the bowl and mix on low speed until it forms a dry crumble.
3. Step 3: Add the cold water gradually by the teaspoon, mixing until a dough begins to form.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough into two balls, flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 375ºF and remove the dough from the refrigerator.
6. Step 6: Lay parchment paper on the counter and roll the dough into a very thin rectangle, less than ⅛ inch thick.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle your chosen seasoning evenly over the dough, then gently roll it in with the rolling pin.
8. Step 8: Use a ruler to mark 1-inch wide by 7-8 inch long crackers, then cut straight lines with a pizza cutter or pastry wheel, avoiding cutting the parchment paper.
9. Step 9: Transfer the parchment with the cut dough onto a baking sheet, ensuring crackers do not touch.
10. Step 10: Freeze the baking sheet for 15-20 minutes to firm the dough.
11. Step 11: Bake at 375ºF for 15-17 minutes until the crackers start to brown.
12. Step 12: Remove from the oven, carefully lift the parchment paper off the baking sheet, and place it on a cooling rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• Try using smoked cheddar for a rich, smoky flavor.
• Substitute the seasoning with garlic powder or paprika for a different twist.
• Make smaller crackers for bite-sized snacks or larger ones for pairing with dips.
• Keep the dough cold to ensure crisp crackers and easier cutting.

Storage

Store the cooled crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To re-crisp after storage, bake them in a preheated 350ºF oven for 3-5 minutes. Avoid refrigeration as it can cause them to become stale faster.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a food processor instead of a stand mixer?

Yes, a food processor works well to combine the butter and cheeses quickly. Just pulse until smooth before adding the flour and water.

How thin should I roll out the dough?

Roll the dough to less than ⅛ inch thick to ensure the crackers bake up crisp and crunchy without being too brittle.

Cheese Crackers with Bagel or Italian Seasoning Recipe

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These homemade cheese crackers combine sharp cheddar and pecorino romano cheeses with a buttery, flaky dough, seasoned with your choice of everything bagel or Italian seasoning. Perfectly thin and crispy, these savory crackers are baked to golden perfection and make a great snack or appetizer.

• Author: rami
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-17 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 crackers 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Cheese and Butter Mixture

• ⅓ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 6 oz. white sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 3 oz. pecorino romano cheese (shredded)

Dry Ingredients

• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Additional Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons cold water
• 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning or Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Combine Butter and Cheeses: Place the unsalted butter, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and shredded pecorino romano cheese into the mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on medium to high speed for 5-6 minutes until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: Add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the all-purpose flour and whisk together. Slowly add this flour mixture to the bowl with the butter and cheese on low speed. The mixture will begin to turn into a dry crumble.
3. Add Water to Form Dough: Gradually add the cold water by the teaspoon to the flour mixture while mixing. Continue until a dough forms.
4. Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two balls and flatten each into a disk. Wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the dough to firm up.
5. Preheat Oven: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
6. Roll Out Dough: Place a piece of parchment paper on the counter and roll out one disk of dough into a large rectangle less than ⅛ inch thick. Ensure the dough is very thin for crispy crackers.
7. Season Dough: Sprinkle the chosen seasoning (everything bagel or Italian seasoning) evenly over the rolled dough. Use a rolling pin to gently press the seasoning into the dough.
8. Cut Crackers: Using a ruler, measure and mark 1-inch wide by 7-8 inch long strips. Carefully cut straight lines along the markings using a pizza or pastry cutter, avoiding cutting the parchment paper.
9. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Transfer the parchment paper with dough strips onto a large baking sheet, spacing the crackers so they are not touching.
10. Freeze Before Baking: Place the baking sheet into the freezer for 15-20 minutes to firm up the crackers, which helps maintain their shape during baking.
11. Bake Crackers: Bake the crackers at 375ºF (190ºC) for 15-17 minutes or until they turn golden brown on the edges.
12. Cool Crackers: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately lift the parchment paper off the baking sheet, placing it onto a cooling rack to cool the crackers evenly and prevent sogginess.

Notes

• The dough must be rolled very thin (less than ⅛ inch) to achieve the desired crispy texture.
• Chilling and freezing the dough before baking helps keep cracker shapes crisp and prevents spreading.
• You can substitute the seasoning with other herbs or spices to customize the flavor to your liking.
• Store baked crackers in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.
• If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix the ingredients by hand but it may take longer to thoroughly combine the butter and cheese.

Keywords: cheese crackers, cheddar crackers, homemade crackers, savory snack, baked crackers, pecorino romano, everything bagel seasoning