If you need me during the next couple of months, you can likely find me at home in my pajama pants and wool socks, tucked under a throw blanket on the couch with my dogs. If people were allowed to hibernate, I totally would during the Missouri winter months. Especially if you could save up all your sleep hours for those few months, hibernate, and then wake up ready to take over the world just in time for spring.
I realize this is not exactly what hibernation is, per say. But hey, it’s my fantasy, so whatever.
Hibernation is not an option. But soup is (and chili!). Bring on all the soup nights this gal can handle, I say. You know what goes good with soup and chili? Crackers! These are homemade crackers made with pepper jack cheese. They really aren’t all that spicy, but they are SUPER easy to make. Make a batch and crumble them onto bowls of soup and chili for a few days. You’ll feel better. It’s like carb medicine.
Pepper Jack Crackers, makes 4 dozen 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inch square crackers.
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
4 tablespoons cold butter
1/3 cup heavy cream
coarse salt + pepper for the top
1 egg (for an egg wash top) optional
Make a batch of these and see what you think. If you want a little more heat, try adding a few big pinches of cayenne to your next batch. I do both, depending on how I’m feeling.
In a food processor, combine the flour, salt, shredded cheese, and butter. Pulse until crumbly. With the mixer turned on slowly, stream in the cream until a dough ball forms. Then turn off the mixer.
Secret: This is pretty similar to making pie crust. If you can make pie crust, you can make crackers.
Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough as thin as you can. Think thin crust pizza. You don’t want to be able to see through the dough, but thin is your friend for these. They will puff some when they bake, so you don’t want them to be too thick.
Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into small squares, or any shape you want. You could also use cookie cutters for a fun variation. I also used a frosting tip to get those small holes in the center of my crackers. Roll the scraps together and cut again until you’ve used all the dough. Depending on your shape and thickness, you might get slightly more or less crackers in your batch than I did.
Place the cut dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Whisk the egg in a small bowl and brush the tops of the crackers with it. Sprinkle on a little coarse grain salt and black pepper.
Bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown.
Once cool, store in an airtight container if you’re not consuming these within the day. Make a bowl of chili for me this week and add some crackers! Or come over and hibernate with me, I’m game. 🙂 -Emma
Credits // Author and Photography: Emma Chapman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
Pepper Jack Crackers
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 4 tablespoons cold butter
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- coarse salt + pepper for the top
- 1 egg for an egg wash top optional
Instructions
-
Make a batch of these and see what you think. If you want a little more heat, try adding a few big pinches of cayenne to your next batch. I do both, depending on how I'm feeling.
-
In a food processor, combine the flour, salt, shredded cheese, and butter. Pulse until crumbly. With the mixer turned on slowly, stream in the cream until a dough ball forms. Then turn off the mixer.
-
Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough as thin as you can. Think thin crust pizza. You don't want to be able to see through the dough, but thin is your friend for these. They will puff some when they bake, so you don't want them to be too thick.
-
Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into small squares, or any shape you want. You could also use cookie cutters for a fun variation. I also used a frosting tip to get those small holes in the center of my crackers. Roll the scraps together and cut again until you've used all the dough. Depending on your shape and thickness, you might get slightly more or less crackers in your batch than I did.
-
Place the cut dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Whisk the egg in a small bowl and brush the tops of the crackers with it. Sprinkle on a little coarse grain salt and black pepper.
-
Bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown.
48 Comments
I have no idea why I am so fascinated by homemade crackers, but I am so excited to give these a whirl!! they look so yummy! I may add some whole wheat flour for extra fiber 😉 love it!!
They look so cute – especially the little hole in the middle. The dream would be threading them onto some string and wearing them as a necklace for easy crunching whilst I’m swaddled in a blanket… I wonder if they’d work with tomato paste and feta cheese… Something to try over the next few days! 🙂
This is such a delicious and cute idea!
these look incredible, i’ve actually never seen a recipe for crackers before!
These picks are making my mouth water! I have never tried to make crackers, but now I am dying to give it ago. I am a big soup junkie, and I know these would go beautifully with some of my favorites. Thank you for the yummy post!
xo, Colleen || http://leathervslace.com
I’ve always heard of jack crackers but never tried- will have to soon!
Prom dress suggestions+ perfect HEATLESS curls
These look so delicious – definitely trying tomorrow!
Oh wow these look amazing! I’ve never made crackers before, I’ll have to give these a try!
Sophie x
http://eliphi.blogspot.com
This looks delicious! I can’t wait to try this!
Raquel
http://Www.raquelmanuela.com
OMG these look amazing. I’ve made homemade pita chips before but never crackers. I will have to try this!
Katy
topknotsandjots.blogspot.com
I think it would be so awesome if you all came out with a cook book! 🙂
do it! sometimes I replace some of the flour with whole wheat. it’s great with a slightly different texture.
-Emma
CRACKER NECKLACE?!?!
You’re a genius. Seriously.
-Emma
Thank you! I’m in the process of pitching one right now. Fingers crossed we’ll get to start one soon—it’s a big dream of mine. Bucket list goal for sure. 🙂
Appreciate your encouragement and support!!!!
-Emma
If you strain and dilute an egg wash, you can spritz it through a spray bottle. Much easier and faster than a pastry brush. These look great! My husband loves pepperjack so over time, he’s gotten me hooked too 🙂
Great tip! I’m going to have to try that next time I’m doing an egg wash.
-Emma
Yummy! I like the spray bottle egg wash tip. Sounds a lot faster if you have lots of small surfaces.
Do you think you could substitute almond milk for the heavy cream to cut down on the lactose for those who can’t handle milk? Would it affect the results much?
Wow – when I first saw these pictures, I thought that you were just adding a special seasoning to pre-made crackers. That’s how good yours look! I’ve never made homemade crackers before but these look delicious and not that hard to make.
Thanks for sharing, Emma! I always love your recipes.
x Kathryn
Through the Thicket
Looks great! And super easy as well.
The spray bottle tip is pretty clever too.
Never thought about it and on Christmas me and my grandma bake a lot of cookies that need to be brushed.
Xo, Deborah
These look delicious and surprisingly simple to make!
http://www.mintnotion.com
I love that you made crackers! For some reason, it is not something that I would ever think — hey you can make theses at home. I just always think of crackers as something that has to come out of a box from the grocery store. Amazing. Seriously want to make my own crackers now.
P.S. I adore the new categories you added to the bottom of the website!
These look so good; a great snack to bring to school! 😉
Keep up the amazing work!
XOXO,
Isabella
Totally unrelated to this post but I just have to say I’m glad you changed your blog design. The last one was so confusing. I preferred your original one. This one however is super cute and the colors reflect ABM really well. It’s also a lot easier to navigate!
http://xfallenmoon.blogspot.com/
Looks delish! Wish we had more access to fresh peppers in middle earth
Hybernation- that’s something I’d like to do during winter so to avoid going through it. I kind of detest winter a) because of illnesses, b) putting so much clothes on it feels like an medievanl armour, c) because of less sun light- less energy… Otherwise I think I’d like it….
I keep meaning to try and make my own crackers and putting it off now I will definitely be giving it a go.
This is such an amazing recipe – I would have never thought about making little square crackers from scratch. Must be a lot healthier than cheez-its!
Rae | love from berlin
Oh i wish i could sleep through winter too with one skitrip stop on the way! 🙂
Just a friendly note for you and your copy editor: it’s “per se”, not “per say.”
It’s an easy mistake from the way it sounds, but it’s a Latin phrase, so has Latin spelling.
Hope that helps!
Nice recipe, we think it’s delicious! We’ll try to do it.
http://inatrendytown.blogspot.com.es
Never would have thought of this. Looks good! http://www.hannamarielei.com
I am so trying this out they look delicious<3
http://hilarynirvana.blogspot.com/
So yummy!
Oh they look delicious! This might be the beginning of my baking adventure 🙂
Also, did I miss a post on the blog makeover?
Definitely going to be giving these a go, they look delicious. Oh and I’m totally all about the P.J’s, blankets and my purple leather sofa during the UK winter. Too much rain.
I love this. It’s like a preservative free version of a Cheeze-it. Thanks for sharing a recipe with only the good stuff.
They look delicious!!!! definitely gonna try and make them!
I am obsessed with homemade snacks… Especially ones that are so easy to make! Thanks for this recipe!
saw this, and totally knew i would wait like… no minute to do them…
soooo! here i am, with my belly full, and a huge smile!
a couple of twists (minimal, since you Emma, are a rockstar, with no need for tips!!)
based on your “secret” about being like pie crust, i put the dough in the freezer for some minutes.
(worked for me.. but , must say, there’s no need)
and the second (and awesome) i poured sesame seeds on top, after the egg (i had black, golden and wild).
the only problem?
i’m wondering if i have enough free time EVERY DAY to make these!!.
thanks for the reciepe!
Random comment.
Have Emma watched the movie “Julie & Julia”? I think she is going to like it 🙂
I’m doing it right now and I remembered her. What is awkward I know, because we don’t even know each other in person.
And I swear I’m a totally normal person. lol
Anyway, here is the tip. 🙂
My mouth dropped when I saw this. Haha! I love cheez its but never eat them because they’re not very good for you.
Do you think cheddar would work? I don’t have PJ on hand.
xaxaxaxaxxaxaxaxa cracker necklace! Oh my goodness, that is definitely genius
tsiou, http://www.inwhirlofinspiration.com/
these sound sooo good!
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
Hi Emma! These looks and sound amazing. I’ll have to try this recipe ASAP. I am making an assumption here, but it would probably be best to ask… Could you use any kind of cheese in this? Would you have to alter the recipe with different cheeses! I love Gouda!
You got drooling all over, which is not so Dainty and Chic! But whatever!! Heading to the store to make my own!
http://www.daintyandchic.com
You got drooling all over, which is not so Dainty and Chic! But whatever!! Heading to the store to make my own!
http://www.daintyandchic.com