Description
Crispy, cheesy homemade cheez its deliver a nostalgic snack experience with bold flavors and crunchy texture. Baking enthusiasts can easily recreate this classic American cracker with simple ingredients and a quick preparation method.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (226 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1.25 cups (296 ml) all-purpose flour
- 0.25 cup (59 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 2–3 tablespoons (30–45 ml) cold water
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) kosher salt
- Salt for topping
Instructions
- Cheese Preparation: Whip sharp cheddar and butter using an electric mixer until light and fully combined, creating a smooth, airy base.
- Dough Formation: Gradually blend flour mixture into cheese, transforming the consistency into a crumbly texture. Introduce cold water sparingly to create a cohesive, malleable dough.
- Dough Resting: Form the dough into a compact disk, wrap completely in plastic, and refrigerate for one hour to develop robust flavors and optimal texture.
- Dough Rolling: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll chilled dough into an ultra-thin rectangular sheet on parchment paper, ensuring a delicate thickness less than ⅛ inch.
- Cracker Shaping: Precisely slice dough into uniform 1-inch squares using a ruler and pizza cutter. Puncture each square’s center with a wooden skewer to create traditional perforations.
- Seasoning and Baking: Brush crackers with olive oil and generously sprinkle kosher salt. Transfer parchment paper with crackers to baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between pieces.
- Finishing: Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden-brown and crispy. Immediately transfer to a cooling rack, allowing crackers to set and achieve ultimate crunchiness.
Notes
- Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerating helps develop deeper flavor and prevents spreading, ensuring crisp, structured crackers.
- Precision Matters: Use a ruler and sharp pizza cutter to create uniform 1-inch squares for consistent baking and professional appearance.
- Mind the Thickness: Roll dough ultra-thin (less than ⅛ inch) to achieve authentic crispy, light cracker texture that mimics store-bought version.
- Perforation Technique: Skewer center of each square allows steam to escape, creating signature cheez-it holes and preventing potential puffing during baking.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg