Crispy Cheesy Southern Cheese Crackers Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Cheesy Southern Cheese Crackers are a flavorful, savory snack perfect for any craving. Made with sharp cheddar and a hint of cayenne, these homemade crackers offer a delightful crispness and a touch of heat.

Ingredients

• 1 lb extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour can be substituted)
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2-3 dashes of hot sauce
• 6-8 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add the flour, kosher salt, and cayenne pepper to a food processor. Pulse several times to combine evenly.
2. Step 2: Add the cold butter cubes and hot sauce to the flour mixture. Pulse the processor for about 10 seconds until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
3. Step 3: Add the grated cheddar cheese and pulse just until mixed. If your food processor is small, you may need to divide the mixture and process in two batches.
4. Step 4: Add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time, pulsing after each addition, until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the processor. Use 3 to 4 tablespoons if dividing the mixture, or 6 to 8 tablespoons for the full batch.
5. Step 5: Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and press it into a ball. It may still be crumbly. Cut the ball in half and shape each half into a log. Wrapping the logs in wax or parchment paper can make shaping easier.
6. Step 6: Chill the wrapped logs in the refrigerator for several hours until firm. You should have four logs about 12 to 14 inches each if you divided the dough.
7. Step 7: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Step 8: Slice the chilled logs as evenly and thinly as possible. Arrange the slices on the baking sheet with space between, as they will spread slightly during baking.
9. Step 9: Optionally, sprinkle a little extra kosher salt or paprika on top. You may also prick the crackers with a fork for a decorative pattern.
10. Step 10: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crackers are golden brown and crispy. Thicker slices may need additional baking at 200°F for 30 minutes or longer to crisp up.

Tips & Variations

• For a gluten-free option, substitute with King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour as noted.
• Adding paprika on top before baking enhances color and adds a smoky flavor.
• To store dough logs, freeze them wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for quick baking any time you want fresh crackers.

Storage

Once baked, store the crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To re-crisp any soft crackers, bake them at 200°F for 10-15 minutes. Dough logs can be tightly wrapped and frozen for several months. Thaw in the refrigerator before slicing and baking.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these crackers without a food processor?

Yes, you can make these by hand using a pastry cutter or two forks to cut the butter into the flour and spices, then mix in the cheese and cream until the dough comes together. It will take more elbow grease but works well.

How thin should I slice the logs for baking?

Slice the logs as thinly and evenly as possible, about 1/8 inch thick. Thinner slices will bake crispier and more evenly, while thicker slices may stay soft inside and require extra baking time.

Crispy Cheesy Southern Cheese Crackers Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 125 reviews

These Crispy Cheesy Southern Cheese Crackers are a delightful snack featuring sharp cheddar cheese, a hint of cayenne for a subtle kick, and a perfect balance of buttery crispiness. Made from simple ingredients and baked to golden perfection, these cheese crackers are perfect for serving at parties, snacking, or pairing with your favorite dips.

• Author: Lily
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 32 minutes (including chilling time)
• Yield: Approximately 50–60 crackers 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (King Arthur’s Measure for Measure Gluten-Free Flour can be substituted)
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 lb extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 2–3 dashes of hot sauce
• 6–8 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

1. Combine dry ingredients: Add the flour, kosher salt, and cayenne pepper to a food processor. Pulse several times to evenly mix the dry ingredients.
2. Add butter and hot sauce: Add the cold cubed butter and hot sauce to the food processor. Run the processor for about 10 seconds until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
3. Incorporate cheese: Add the grated sharp cheddar cheese and pulse until combined. If using a small food processor, divide the mixture into two batches to ensure thorough mixing.
4. Add heavy cream: Slowly add the heavy cream by the tablespoon. Continue mixing until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the processor – 3 to 4 tablespoons if in two batches, or 6 to 8 tablespoons if processing all at once.
5. Form dough logs: Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and press into a ball. It may be crumbly. Divide the dough ball in half and shape each half into a log wrapped in wax or parchment paper. If divided earlier, shape each batch into two logs, ending with about four logs total, each 12 to 14 inches long. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for several hours.
6. Preheat oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Slice and arrange: Slice the chilled logs as evenly and as thinly as possible. Arrange the slices on the lined baking sheet, leaving space between each to allow for spreading.
8. Add optional toppings: Sprinkle a little extra salt or paprika on the slices for flavor and color. Optionally, prick the crackers with a fork to create decorative designs.
9. Bake: Bake the crackers for 10 to 12 minutes or until they turn golden brown and are crispy.
10. Optional crisping: If any slices are thick and not fully crispy, return them to the oven at 200°F (93°C) for 30 minutes or longer until crisped.

Notes

• Thicker baked slices might need extra time at a lower temperature to become fully crispy.
• Dough logs can be frozen, making it easy to bake fresh crackers anytime you want.
• Use gluten-free flour as a substitute to make this recipe gluten-free if needed.

Keywords: cheese crackers, cheddar crackers, crispy cheese snack, Southern snacks, baked crackers