Description
Ina Garten’s chipotle cheddar crackers deliver bold, spicy flavors perfect for entertaining. Crisp, cheesy nibbles will delight guests with their zesty kick, making these crackers an irresistible snack you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 0.5 lb (225 g) aged cheddar, such as Grafton 2-year, grated
- 1 cup plus 2 tbsps (150 g) all-purpose flour
- 0.25 lb (1 stick, 115 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 g) ground chipotle powder
- Kosher salt
- Flaked sea salt, such as Maldon
Instructions
- Mixing: In an electric mixer with paddle attachment, blend softened butter, cheddar cheese, flour, chipotle powder, and kosher salt. Gradually introduce water and mix at low speed until ingredients form cohesive dough clusters.
- Shaping: Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface and shape into a 12-inch long, 1.5-inch diameter log. Wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to enhance flavor and texture.
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove chilled dough and slice into ½-inch thick rounds using a sharp knife.
- Seasoning and Baking: Arrange cracker rounds on prepared sheets with 1-inch spacing. Sprinkle flaked sea salt across the surface. Bake for 15-17 minutes until uniformly golden-brown.
- Cooling and Serving: Remove crackers from oven and cool directly on baking sheets or transfer to a wire rack. Serve at room temperature for optimal taste and crispness.
Notes
- Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigeration develops deeper flavor and helps crackers maintain shape during baking, preventing spreading.
- Precision Matters: Use a sharp knife for consistent ½-inch slices to ensure even baking and uniform cracker texture.
- Salt Enhances Flavor: Sprinkle flaked sea salt before baking to elevate the chipotle and cheddar taste profile.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Dough can be prepared days in advance and stored in refrigerator or freezer, perfect for spontaneous entertaining or quick snacks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg