Kortni’s Kitchen: Cheez-Its
Who doesn’t like cheez-its? I know they are probably my number-one go-to snack. I remember for my 16th birthday all I asked for was boxes of cheek-its. Now that I say it out loud, I think that says more about me than the snack. I made these once before and they had great flavor, but were a little soft for my taste. Not that I didn’t eat them all, but I should have left them in the oven longer. I’m trying something different this time around. Let’s hope it works.
Ingredients: Craftymorning
8 oz of extra sharp cheddar cheese (or any cheese you would like! Mix and match: I think pepper jack or manchego would be amazing)- room temp
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 tbsp butter – room temp
2 tbsp ice water
1 tsp salt
Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Kortni’s Kitchen: Cheez-Its
2. Using your food processor, add chunks of cheese (or grated cheese, it saves a step!) until it is broken into small pieces, then add flour, salt, and butter to combine. This should form a dough that is starting to come together nicely. Add water a tsp at a time until all the dough comes together. You want to use as little water as possible so you get a nice, crispy cracker. That is why the room temperature cheese is important.
- I don’t own a food processor or any type of blender. This means I got to mix it by hand.
- I used the mixed Mexican cheese instead of just cheddar. Fun fact I learned from a cheese monger (someone who specializes in cheese): the word “cheddar” is also a verb. It it the process of cutting the cheese curds into cubes and folding them on top of one another. Sorry if that was a little random, I just find facts like that so interesting!
Kortni’s Kitchen: Cheez-Its
3. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate just until the dough has firmed up a bit.
- Make sure your dough is not too wet. Your dough should be similar to pie dough or biscuit dough.
Kortni’s Kitchen: Cheez-Its
4. Roll out between two pieces of parchment paper until 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 1 inch squares and poke holes using a toothpick in the center.
- I am not sure what the hole in the middle does. I would assume it is to get the heat to the middle before the outside burns since they are so small.
- I used a paring knife to cut them out. You need something small but sharp. Don’t use a butter knife or you will just squish the dough, not cut it.
Kortni’s Kitchen: Cheez-Its
5. Place on baking sheet (I did not grease or use parchment paper and had no problems with it sticking) and bake for about 20 minutes until lightly golden and crispy. Check after 15 minutes to make sure they are not getting too dark. Let cool on your baking sheet and they will continue to crisp up.
- I checked after 15 minutes and they were still a little soft, so I put them in for another 3 minutes and they were perfect.
Kortni’s Kitchen: Cheez-Its
6. These crackers do not need salt on top, but if you like you can use 1/2 tsp salt in the dough and the other half on top.
- I don’t do salt on top, just in the dough.
I did half a batch this time around because I was trying to be adventurous and it didn’t work out. If you ever want to try something different, I advise only doing half a batch of whatever you’re trying, less if you’re able to, just in case it doesn’t work out. This half came out great! It’s the perfect snack and way healthier than the store-bought ones.
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Kortni’s Kitchen: Cheez-Its
