Cheddar & Old Bay Crackers
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: 3 dozen (depending on cutter size)
Ingredients
  • 8 tablespoons/113 grams butter
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1½ tablespoon Old Bay
  • 1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese (use small holes on a box grater)
  • 3 tablespoons cold beer, plus more if needed (I used Sam Adams Boston Lager)
Instructions
  1. Take the butter out of the fridge and cut it into cubes. Put the butter in a bowl and pop it back in the refrigerator. Leave it there until you're ready to use it. [Note: You want the butter cold, if you cut it right before using it your hands will have warmed it up]
  2. In a medium bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, and Old Bay.
  3. Add the shredded cheese to the flour mixture. Mix until the cheese is well coated
  4. Add the cubed butter to the mixture. Using two knives (or a pastry blender) to cut the butter into the flour. Cut the butter up until the mix sand.
  5. Pour in the 3 tablespoons of beer. Use your hands to mix everything together until you have a ball of dough and no dry flour bits remain. If it seems too dry add more beer just a teaspoon at a time.
  6. Once you have a smooth ball of dough flatten it into a rectangle. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
  7. When you're ready to bake, take the dough out of the fridge about 10 minutes before to soften it a bit.
  8. Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C.
  9. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  10. Lightly flour your work surface. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough until it is about an ⅛" thick.
  11. Using the cookie cutters of your choice cut out your crackers.
  12. Place the crackers about 1" apart on the prepared backing sheet. Poke each cracker with a fork at least once. If you can be decorative about it go ahead.
  13. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until puffed and the edges are just lightly darker than the rest of the cracker.
  14. Let cool then serve with slices of cheese or your favorite dip.
Recipe by Cooking is Messy at https://www.cookingismessy.com/2015/06/20/cheddar-old-bay-crackers/