Description
These Parmesan Cheddar Basil Crackers are a deliciously savory snack featuring a perfect balance of sharp Cheddar, nutty Parmesan, and fresh basil. Crisp and golden, they’re easy to make and ideal for serving with your favorite dips or cheese boards.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 2 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 5 tablespoons half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking trays with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded Cheddar cheese, softened butter, half-and-half, and kosher salt. Beat the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy, creating a well-incorporated base for the dough.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually sprinkle in the all-purpose flour, grated Parmesan cheese, and finely chopped fresh basil. Mix on low speed until a soft dough forms that holds together without crumbling, indicating the proper consistency.
- Prepare Dough for Rolling: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into three equal portions to make rolling out easier and more manageable.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Roll each portion of dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a small star-shaped or round cookie cutter to cut out the crackers. Gather any leftover dough, reroll it, and cut more crackers.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the cut-out crackers on the prepared baking trays, leaving about 1 inch of space between each to allow for slight expansion while baking.
- Bake: Bake the crackers in the preheated oven for 11 to 14 minutes, until the tops and edges turn golden brown, indicating crispiness.
- Cool: Remove the trays from the oven and allow the crackers to cool on the trays for 30 minutes. This cooling step helps them set and become crisp.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
- If the dough feels too sticky, lightly flour your rolling surface to prevent sticking but avoid adding too much flour.
- Store the crackers in an airtight container once completely cooled to maintain their crispness.
- You can substitute fresh basil with dried basil, but reduce the quantity by half since dried herbs are more concentrated.
- These crackers pair wonderfully with hummus, guacamole, or a cheese platter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 crackers (approx. 30g)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 0.3g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
