Cheddar Cheese Shortbread Crackers

Active Time: 20 MinsTotal Time2 Hours
Yield: Makes about 50

These crisp, buttery crackers make an impressive hostess gift alongside a bottle of wine. We’ve included a classic Cheddar option, as well as three creative flavor variations if you want to mix things up: Pimiento Cheese,; Pecan-and-Thyme; and Bacon, Borubon, and Benne Seed.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese, finely shredded (about 2 cups)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup fine plain white cornmeal
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons water

How to Make It

Step 1

Process cheese, flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, salt, dry mustard, and pepper in a food processor until combined, about 5 seconds. Add butter, and process until mixture resembles wet sand, about 20 seconds. With processor running, add water through food chute; process until dough forms a ball, 10 to 15 seconds.

Step 2

Divide dough in half, and shape each half into a 6-inch log, about 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Wrap logs individually in plastic wrap; chill at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.

Step 3

Preheat oven to 350°F with oven racks in upper and lower thirds. Unwrap logs, and slice into 1/8-inch-thick rounds. Place dough rounds, 1/2 inch apart, on 2 parchment paper-lined baking sheets.

Step 4

Bake in preheated oven until edges are golden brown, about 14 minutes, rotating baking sheets top to bottom halfway through bake time. Cool crackers on baking sheets 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes.

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