Description
These Parmesan Cheddar Basil Crackers are crispy, cheesy, and bursting with fresh basil flavor. Perfect for snacking or serving alongside your favorite dips and cheeses, these homemade crackers combine sharp Cheddar, nutty Parmesan, and fragrant basil in a buttery dough that’s rolled thin and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Dairy
- 2 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 5 tablespoons half-and-half
- 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
Dry Ingredients & Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Herbs
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking trays with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add the shredded Cheddar cheese, softened butter, half-and-half, and kosher salt. Beat the mixture until smooth and creamy to combine the fats and cheese evenly.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Basil: Gradually sprinkle in the all-purpose flour, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh basil. Mix on low speed until a soft dough forms that holds together without crumbling, ensuring even distribution of flavors and texture.
- Divide Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and divide it into three portions. This makes rolling out the dough easier and more manageable.
- Roll and Cut: Roll each portion to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a small star-shaped or round cutter to stamp out crackers. Gather and reroll leftover dough to maximize yield and maintain consistency.
- Arrange on Trays: Place the cut-out crackers on the prepared baking trays, leaving about 1 inch of space between each to allow for even heat circulation and crisping.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 11 to 14 minutes until the edges and tops are golden brown, indicating a crisp texture.
- Cool: Allow the crackers to cool on the trays for 30 minutes. This step helps them to set properly and achieve maximum crispness before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly chopped basil for best flavor; dried basil will not provide the same fresh aroma.
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature to help the mixture blend smoothly.
- Rolling the dough evenly to 1/8 inch thickness is key to uniformly crispy crackers.
- Store cooled crackers in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crunch for up to one week.
- If you want a sharper basil flavor, add an extra tablespoon or adjust to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 crackers
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
