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Homemade Cheez-Its Recipe

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These homemade Cheez-Its are crispy, cheesy crackers made from sharp cheddar cheese, butter, and flour. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, they offer a delightful snack with a rich, savory flavor that rivals any store-bought version.

Ingredients

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

  1. Mix Cheese and Butter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, cubed butter, and kosher salt. Mix until the mixture is soft and homogenous, ensuring the cheese and butter are well incorporated.
  2. Add Flour: Add the unbleached all-purpose flour to the cheese mixture. Mix on low speed. The dough will appear dry and pebbly at this stage.
  3. Add Water: Slowly pour in the ice water while continuing to mix. The dough should start coming together into a cohesive mass.
  4. Chill Dough: Pat the dough into a disk shape, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This chilling step helps the dough firm up for easier rolling and shaping.
  5. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
  6. Roll Dough: Divide the chilled dough into two equal pieces. Roll each piece out very thinly (approximately 1/8 inch or less) into a rectangle about 10 by 12 inches in size.
  7. Cut Crackers: Using a fluted pastry cutter, cut each rectangle into 1-inch squares. Transfer the squares carefully to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
  8. Poke Holes: With the tip of a chopstick, gently poke a hole in the center of each square. This not only mimics the classic Cheez-It look but also helps the crackers bake evenly.
  9. Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until the crackers puff up and begin to brown at the edges. Watch carefully as the high fat content can cause them to burn quickly once they start browning.
  10. Cool: Remove the crackers from the oven and immediately transfer them to cooling racks. Let them cool completely to achieve maximum crispiness before serving.

Notes

  • Use extra sharp cheddar cheese for the best cheesy flavor.
  • Make sure the dough is rolled very thin to get crispy crackers.
  • Keep an eye on the crackers while baking as they can burn quickly due to their high fat content.
  • For extra flavor, you can sprinkle a little smoked paprika or cayenne pepper on top before baking.
  • Store cooled crackers in an airtight container to maintain crispness.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/homemade-cheez-its-recipe/