White Cheddar Cheese Crackers (Homemade Cheez-Its)
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I knew I wanted to finish off the week with another kid friendly snack. We’ve become a goldfish household but I still love a good Cheez-it. Not the burnt ones or even the unsalted. Neither belong here. I always hated getting a box to only find out the entire thing was under-salted or had an overwhelmingly burnt taste. I know some people love those, but not me. Perfectly done or maybe just under done, with a generous amount of salt. Though, there is a fine line between perfectly salted and over-salted. Not to be too specific or anything.
I realize there are more important things in life than having issues with a box of cheese crackers, but when you’re craving something and it turns out awful. Well… that just makes your day rotten. Or maybe worse than it already was, which could be pretty bad. Right? Have you ever bit into an apple that *gasp* was lacking flavor, or opened a box of something to only find out it was somehow already stale? Those are the things of snacking nightmares.
I haven’t had a Cheez-it in years. But between those and their fishie friend, I love a good cheese cracker or snack. Even a slice of cheese on a cracker. A while back, Katrina shared a recipe for a homemade version of those beloved cheese crackers. I knew they’d be the perfect conclusion to the week before school starts and boy am I glad I made these!
Such basic ingredients, who knew they’d turn into crisp, airy, cheesy crackers? Slightly over-bake for more crispness. But truthfully, these are perfect no matter when you remove them from the oven. They’re like pastry crackers full of cheese flavor. So gooood! I made half a batch with red pepper flakes for a fun spicy kick. They didn’t disappoint! If you love spicy snacks, you’ll love that variety.
Best of all, these are pretty quick to whip up and you can totally get your kids involved!
White Cheddar Cheese Crackers
Ingredients
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 3 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
- 1 Tbsp vegetable shortening
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 C all purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp cold water
- Red pepper flakes* optional, see notes
- Course sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine cheese, butter, shortening and salt on medium-high speed. Reduce speed to medium, slowly add flour and water. If adding red pepper flakes, do so now. Continue mixing until dough is smooth.
- Divide dough into two, creating discs and wrapping in plastic. Chill for at least 30 minutes (I let mine chill overnight).
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare two baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
- Roll out dough to 1/8" thickness. using a ruler as a guide, cut long horizontal strips. Rotate ruler to slice vertically, creating squares. Carefully transfer individual squares to prepared baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining dough. Using a toothpick or cake tester, create holes in the center of each square. Sprinkle with course salt.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes. I removed mine at 12 minutes. The time will depend on the thickness of your squares as well as the crispness you prefer. Watch your oven closely from 10 minutes on.
- Best eaten the same day. Store remainder in an airtight container.
Notes
Oh my goodness these look so so good! I’ve only made them once and I added chili powder to them. The adults loved them… but I need to do plain ones for my kids. They LOVE Cheez-its!
I made these too, and I love your adaptations! Yum!
Ok, remember when I responded to your comment on my site yesterday saying I didn’t really miss dairy? I lied. I miss it now.
I also want to lick that salt off the screen right now. #issues
These are perfection! :)
Whoah! We thought making cheese crackers would be complicated. Thanks for simplifying the recipe. Gotta try this, like, right now! LOL
Absolutely adore these, Rachel. I’m a fool for crackers and white cheddar!
So simple! And probably better than store bought. Thanks so much!
Jason would FLIP over these. Cheez-Its are his favorite snack and I bet if I made it homemade, he’d love me even more than he does now (is that even possible? ;)) i love this! beats buying it in bulk at costco – this is probably healthier too :)
I love how much they puffed up! I can’t buy Cheez-Its because I will eat the entire box at once but I may be making these soon.
Homemade cheese itz fun fun! And love the picture on how to cut them into perfect square shapes
I seriously want some now!! I love the addition of pepper flakes mmmm!
These will be perfect for my daughter’s lunches when she starts Kindergarten next week!
I love the white cheddar cheez-its, love that I can make them at home now
Love your styling on these photos, they look awesome! I haven’t had cheez-its in over 15 years probably, but I can totally get behind this homemade version.
I have to try these… like soon!! I wonder if whole wheat flour would be okay to use? I’m not much of a baker, but it seems like every time I try to substitute wheat flour it never works out for me. Hmmm. Either way, I’m all over these! :) :)
has anyone tried making them with other types of cheese? they look amazing!
These look yummy! I’d love to try, but will
Not use hydrogenated oil-crisco/shortening. Will butter work?
You’re more than welcome to give it a try but I don’t think you’ll have identical results.