Description
These Homemade Cheez-Its are crispy, cheesy crackers made from sharp cheddar cheese, butter, and simple pantry staples. Rolled thin and baked to golden perfection, they offer an irresistible snack with a rich sharp cheddar flavor and satisfying crunch, perfect for any occasion or to enjoy straight from the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Dough
- 1 8-ounce block extra sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely shredded
- 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) cubed unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup (120 grams; 4 1/4 ounces) unbleached all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons ice water
Instructions
- Mix Cheese, Butter, and Salt: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the coarsely shredded cheddar cheese, cubed unsalted butter at room temperature, and kosher salt until the mixture is soft and homogenous to create a creamy base.
- Add Flour: Add the unbleached all purpose flour and mix on low speed. The dough will become dry and pebbly, indicating the flour is incorporated but not yet fully bonded.
- Add Ice Water: Slowly pour in the ice water while continuing to mix. The dough will start to coalesce and form a cohesive mass suitable for rolling.
- Chill Dough: Pat the dough into a disk shape, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough and enhance flavor melding.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup and non-stick baking.
- Roll Out Dough: Divide the chilled dough into two equal portions. Roll each piece out very thinly (about 1/8 inch or less) into a 10×12-inch rectangle to ensure a crisp cracker texture.
- Cut Crackers: Using a fluted pastry cutter, cut the rectangular dough sheets into 1-inch squares, carefully transferring them to the prepared baking sheets.
- Dock Crackers: Use the tip of a chopstick to punch a small hole in the center of each square to help prevent puffing during baking.
- Bake Crackers: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes or until crackers are puffed and golden brown at the edges. Monitor closely to avoid burning due to the high fat content from butter and cheese.
- Cool: Immediately transfer the baked crackers to wire racks to cool completely, allowing them to crisp up as they cool.
Notes
- Ensure the dough is rolled out very thin to achieve the signature crispness of Cheez-Its.
- Use ice water to keep the dough cool and prevent the butter from melting prematurely, which helps in achieving a flaky texture.
- Punching a hole in each cracker helps maintain flatness and prevents excessive puffing.
- Watch the crackers carefully during baking as they can quickly go from perfectly golden to burnt because of the cheese and butter content.
- Store cooled crackers in an airtight container to maintain crispness for up to a week.
