If you need a fast appetizer for a party, Easy Cheesy Crackers are it. They aren’t as fast as out of a box, but this homemade recipe takes no time at all in a food processor. If you have an hour, you’ve got time to make these tasty bites, and beware – they go fast.
The dough can be made the day before. Serve them hot – with a spicy cream cheese or dip.
Ingredients in Easy Cheesy Crackers
Smoked Cheese – The smoked part of the cheese is a must to get a lovely deep flavor. I prefer to use hard cheese for crackers but you can certainly try a softer smoked cheese.
Flour – The most versatile part of making crackers is the flour! You’re not limited to unbleached white flour. Try whole wheat, einkorn, or spelt, be creative.
Thyme – One of my favorite spices with cheese. Not only delicious and unique in crackers, but on top of lasagna and pizza.
Cayenne Pepper – This gives just the right amount of heat to the cracker.
Salt – I usually don’t add much, and if the cheese is salty I won’t add any. You choose.
Water – Just a little to bind. I use water in these crackers as they are mostly cheese and butter. I often use half-n-half in my whole-grain crackers as any cream or milk can soften the crackers somewhat.
Add cheese and butter to a food processor – blend just a bit until crumbly and starting to hold a bit. Next add your spices and flour, again just pulse until mixed. The dough will look like crumbs still, not a ball. This is almost how we make pastry crust – don’t over-mix your dough or the crackers will be rubbery.
The dough will hold together easily when squeezed, and roll out nicely – not too sticky or dry.
Roll into a circle about 1/8″-1/4″. We used mini Christmas cookie cutters and they were the perfect party size!
If you haven’t made crackers before, see our spicy spelt cracker video tutorial.
Bake for about 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them as the thickness of the cracker can determine the time baked. Easy Cheesy Crackers – spicy and delicious. They are gone in a flash so doubling the recipe is a good idea. Enjoy!
Easy Cheesy Crackers
Description
If you have an hour, you have time to make these cheesy little crackers from scratch! A perfect starter for any party.
Ingredients
3 cups smoked cheddar cheese
1 cup parmesan/romano cheese or another smoked cheese
1 stick unsalted butter – softened
1 1/3 c. unbleached white flour
1 Tbsp. thyme
1 tsp. ground pepper
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. salt (more or less to taste)
2–3 Tbsp. water
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Add cheese and butter to a food processor – blend just a bit until crumbly and starting to hold a bit.
Next add your spices and flour, again just pulse until mixed. The dough will look like crumbs still, not a quite a ball.
When ready, the dough will hold together easily when squeezed.
Place the dough onto a rolling board and squeeze into a ball, then separating it into sections.
On a piece of parchment paper, roll each section into a circle about 1/8″-1/4″. We used mini Christmas cookie cutters and they were the perfect party size!
Bake for about 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them as the thickness of the cracker can determine the time baked.
Notes
Making crackers is almost how we make pastry crust – don’t over-mix your dough or the crackers will be rubbery.
If you haven’t made crackers before, see our spicy spelt cracker video tutorial.
On Joyous Home, we love publishing recipes, sewing and homemaking. We are children of Christ, and imperfect wives and homemakers. We’re happy you’re here!
We love cheese crackers and these look delicious! I like the idea of using different cookie cutters to match the occasion for when these are to be served. Thank you!
Hi Lynne! Yes! Please try them. They really went fast!
So simple. Excited to make them this holiday season.
These are simple and fun when you use the mini Christmas cutters. Homemade crackers are always a hit. People don’t think of making crackers but they are so easy.
These look scrumptious and where’s the lime – cilantro dip recipe!?! 🙂
Hi Bonnie! I need to get on coming up with one to share! It’s what I wanted to dip them in when I tasted one! It’s a weird craving hahah! Thanks for visiting. 😀
Yummy! How do you adapt this for a mixer?
Hi Judith! So, if you have a cookie paddle for your mixer, use that to make the dough. You can even use a hand mixer. The key is not over mixing the dough once the water is added or you’ll have rubbery crackers.