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Crispy Cheesy Southern Cheese Crackers Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/crispy-cheesy-southern-cheese-crackers-recipe/