Maybe it's the time of year, but I keep seeing homemade Cheez-Its crackers recipes all over the internet, including Pinterest, so I decided to give them a try.
The kids are back in school, and it's time to stock up on after-school snacks again. I'm all for everything in moderation, and that includes processed foods like packaged Cheez-It crackers, every once in a while. But the ingredient list on packaged foods continues to give me hives -- mentally, and physically. So I wanted to see if I could make them with fresh ingredients of my own.
In terms of ingredients, you can't get much simpler than this -- there are four ingredients total: sharp cheddar cheese, flour, butter, salt. Easy peasy.
You start by simply tossing all ingredients into a food processor. Again: simple enough. I love it!
But then, the work begins.
You form two disks with the dough and refrigerate them for about 30 minutes. Then you take them out, roll them, use a pastry wheel to cut them into cute little squares, then refrigerate them again for about 10 minutes. Maybe you're more talented (and surely more patient) than I am, but I found it difficult to roll that pastry wheel into straight lines.
You then take the cute little squares (or in my case, some squares, rectangles, and even circles -- oops) out of the refrigerator and place them onto a baking sheet (I always use a Silpat on top of a perforated sheet).
Bake these homemade cheez-its at 350 degrees for about 9-11 minutes.
I would definitely make these again. I may also buy the packaged version again. The return on investment on these tasty crackers (and they are tasty) may not be worth it for most busy moms. I wouldn't do these on a weeknight after work; they're definitely a weekend project.
These homemade Cheez-Its crackers should stay fresh if kept in an airtight container for up to a week.
Happy back-to-school season, everyone!
Homemade Cheez-It Crackers
Ingredients
- 1.5 Sharp cheddar cheese coarsely grated
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter cubed
- ¼ teaspoon salt plus more for sprinkling on before baking
Instructions
- Put all four ingredients into a food processor and mix until ingredients form a ball, which takes about two minutes.
- Divide the ball into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Take dough out and place between two Silpats, Rolpats, or sheets of parchment paper. Roll the dough until it's about ⅛" flat. Remove top parchment paper/Silpat.
- Using a pastry wheel to get the cute scalloped edges (or you can use a pizza cutter for straight edges), cut dough into 1" squares.
- Place dough on the Silpat/Rolpat/parchment paper into the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to help chill the dough, which makes it easier to lift individual pieces out for baking.
- After 10 minutes, remove from the refrigerator and place individual crackers about ½" apart from each other on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper or onto a Silpat.
- Bake for about 8-10 minutes.
Pech says
This is a very simple recipe, although I think I would have the same "fun" as you in trying to roll straight lines. Sometimes my husband finds the boxed versions too salty, so making my one (and perhaps upping it with different kinds of cheeses) would be a great way to please him and me!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Simple is the ONLY way to go with two busy kids and businesses, for sure! :) It would be interesting to try with different cheeses. You'll have to let me know if you do try that!
Stacey Ho says
I have pinned these types of ideas before and have always wanted to try this. As a working mom who wants to include whole foods in lunches, I sooo appreciate the very real review!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Stacey, I hear ya. I would love to say I would make these on a regular basis, but there's just no way between work, school, sports, activities, blogging, and that pesky parenting job ;) They are worth it maybe one weekend a month, though! If I had more time, I would definitely make them more often. So nice to have a healthy alternative to the unhealthy processed boxed stuff!