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What if these crackers stole the show with their delightful, buttery, parmesan flavor and crisp seeded texture? Oh, and if they cost a fraction of the price of the fancy store-bought gourmet crackers? Wouldn't you feel like a smarty-darty? Maybe the hostess (host) with the mostest? How about "proud as punch"? I thought so, that's precisely why I created these yummy crackers! 🙂
Seriously, these are delicious and will go well with just about any cheese or spread that you choose to pair them with. I love serving them with a block of cream cheese smothered in my Pineapple Habenero Pepper Jelly. Shower it with pomegranate arils (seeds) and finely chopped cilantro, and you've got one of the prettiest appetizers you'll ever lay eyes on!
Have you noticed the price for a small box of gourmet crackers? Oh my, it's crazy when you think about the cost of the ingredients; mainly flour, seasonings and perhaps a bit of butter. When you make your own, you not only get to control the ingredients, but a whole batch will cost you a fraction of the price of just one small box of purchased crackers! Do you need any more reasons to fire up your mixer and get that rolling pin a-rollin'? I didn't think so.
Seeded Whole Grain Parmesan Crackers
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons flax seeds
2 tablespoons nigella seeds, if unavailable, substitute poppy seeds or black sesame seeds
6 ounces butter, 1 ½ sticks
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
⅔ cup whole wheat or multi-grain flour *
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
sesame seeds (for topping)
Instructions:
1. Combine butter, Parmesan, seeds and brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on medium speed till smooth and fluffy, about two minutes.
2. Add the two flours, baking soda and salt and continue mixing until a soft dough forms. Don't give up if the mixture seems dry and crumbly at first.
3. Place dough on one half of a large piece of plastic wrap and form into a ball. Fold extra plastic wrap over dough and flatten the ball with the palm of your hand. With a rolling pin, roll plastic-covered dough into a larger, approximately 8-inch flat circle. Tuck extra plastic wrap under the flattened dough and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 350˚F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Dust a work surface generously with flour. Roll dough to a ⅓-1/2-inch thickness. Cut shapes with a cookie cutter and arrange them on the sheet pans, spaced about an inch apart. Sprinkle with extra sesame seeds and press the seeds down gently with fingers to adhere to each cracker. Scraps can be either baked as is, for fun irregular shaped crackers or re-rolled and cut with cutters. (For a pretty presentation, and also to allow for different size appetites, I like to use different sizes of the same shaped cutter.)
6. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before storing or serving, Can be stored in an airtight container for several days or frozen indefinitely.
Notes:
* ~ If you don't have whole wheat flour, you can use all regular (all-purpose flour). Just omit the whole wheat/ multigrain flour and use a total of 1⅔ cups of the all-purpose flour.
Magic of Spice says
Your crackers look like perfection Chris! They are perfect for entertaining and that lovely jam as well! And I am going to have to pick up some of those nigella seeds, lovely!
The Café Sucré Farine says
France, it's 1 cup all-purpose flour plus 2/3 cup whole wheat OR 1 2/3 cup all-purpose. Sorry for the confusion.
France@beyondthepeel says
I love homemade crackers. I want to give these a go. I just wanted to make sure that I read the recipe right. Use 2/3 cup of whole wheat flour (or 1 2/3 of all purpose)? THese will be perfect for our guests this week.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Your parmesan crackers look so pretty and I loved how you served them. Just a note that I'm still not getting emails for your new posts. Hopefully it is just a glitch.
lena says
chris, i will be so happy if these crackers are on my table now! These look fantastic and the sound cheese in crackers ..just soooo good!
Lora CakeDuchess says
I need to start making my own crackers. I'm now wanting my own Nigella seeds. Actually, I just want a plate of yours-these look lovely:)
Kitchen Riffs says
I never make my own crackers, which is silly because I if I do I can avoid all sorts of ingredients I'd really rather now ingest. I love Parmesan, and your toppings sound so good. Such a great cracker! Thanks so much.
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking says
Cheese, crackers and fresh fruit and I won't ask for anything else (well maybe for some chocolate).
It's one of my favorite late night snacks and the perfect party-pleaser.
Beautiful Chris, love them!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
What gorgeous crackers. I have tried making a couple crackers at home, and they are amazingly easy. These look wonderful for any holiday party!
Lisa says
Now I want to find Nigella seeds! Love these crackers. I will take that whole delicious set-up you have there and enjoy it all by myself-with maybe a glass of wine;)
Lizzy Do says
These look outstanding, Chris. I'd be embarrassed by how many I could eat in one sitting!!! YUM!
Lisa {Authentic Suburban Gourmet } says
Nothing better than a homemade cracker. Savory and delicious! Love it with your pepper jelly. Happy Holiday!!
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
Purchased savory crackers are so expensive and I love your recipe to make them at home. They are so pretty on a holiday cheese tray and the sprinkle of seeds makes them extra special.
Kim Garceau says
You are right about nigella seeds, these are a little bit oniony! Love your crackers, looks perfect... Think I'm gonna prepare these for Christmas!
Privet and Holly says
I have just the party
to bring these to!
Imagine anyone who
receives these as a
hostess gift is really
blessed by you, as
they sound amazing!
Off to pin these to my
Food Gifts board on
Pinterest! Thanks for
the inspiration....
xo Suzanne
Jen Laceda | Tartine and Apron Strings says
Great, great, great idea! I want to try this for one of the holiday parties we''ll be going to in the next few weeks! Perfect hors d'oeuvres that will surely impress any discriminating guest!