Description
Delicious homemade whole wheat crackers made from simple ingredients and baked to a crisp golden perfection. These crisp, lightly spiced crackers are easy to prepare and perfect for snacking or serving with cheese and dips.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups finely ground whole wheat flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon kosher or sea salt (plus additional for topping)
- ¼ teaspoon paprika (or black pepper)
Wet Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, in small pieces
- ¼ cup cold water
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, sugar, cornstarch, salt, and paprika thoroughly.
- Incorporate Butter: Scatter the cold unsalted butter pieces on top of the dry ingredients. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse cornmeal.
- Add Water: Drizzle the cold water over the mixture and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until combined.
- Knead Dough: Transfer the mixture to a clean surface and knead gently a few times until the dough comes together into a stiff but smooth ball without dry spots. If too dry, add water one teaspoon at a time.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Lightly grease baking sheets or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Roll Dough: Divide the dough in half for easier handling. Roll each half into a thin rectangle on a well-floured surface. Keep the dough thin to ensure crispness, frequently checking for sticking and re-flouring the surface as needed.
- Cut Crackers: Use a pastry wheel or large kitchen knife to cut the dough into approximately 1½-inch squares. Optionally, press indentations in the dough with a brochette stick end to help crackers stay flat during baking.
- Arrange on Sheets: Place crackers carefully on the prepared baking sheets. They do not spread much, so spacing can be minimal. Sprinkle additional salt on top for extra flavor.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 7 minutes, watching closely as the thin crackers can brown quickly. Bake until crisp and golden.
- Cool: Transfer crackers to wire racks to cool completely.
- Store: Store cooled crackers in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze in an airtight container between sheets of waxed or freezer paper for up to a month.
Notes
- Make sure the dough is rolled thin for a crisp texture.
- Watch crackers closely while baking as they brown quickly due to their thinness.
- Indentations on crackers are optional but help them stay flat while baking.
- If the dough feels too dry, add cold water one teaspoon at a time.
- Store crackers in airtight containers to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
