About the Recipe
Homemade Cheez-Its are crunchy, cheesy, salty, and just a little greasy. As seen in the cookbook Classic Snacks Made from Scratch!
Ingredients
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
Preparation
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the cheddar, butter, and salt until soft and homogenous.
Add the flour and mix on low speed; the dough will be dry and pebbly.
Slowly add the water and continue to mix as the dough coalesces into a mass.
Pat the dough into a disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Divide the dough into two pieces and roll each into a very thin (1/8 inch or less) 10x12-inch rectangle.
Using a fluted pastry cutter, cut the rectangles into 1-inch squares, then transfer to the baking sheets.
Use the tip of a chopstick to punch a hole into the center of each square.
Bake for about 15 minutes or until the crackers are puffed and browning at the edges. Watch carefully, as the high fat content of the crackers makes it a fine line between golden delicious and burnt.
Immediately move the crackers to racks to cool.
Notes
Crackers will keep for up to 1 week in a sealed container at room temperature.