Homemade Cheez Its: A Quick and Easy Recipe

Hey there! Do you love snacking on Cheez-Its but want to try making them from scratch? Making Cheez-Its at home may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite easy. In this article, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of making your very own Cheez-Its without any fuss.

To make Cheez-Its, you only need a few simple ingredients such as flour, butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and water. The best part is, you can customize the flavor to your liking. You can add a kick of spice with some hot sauce, or even make them savory by sprinkling some herbs and spices on top. Once you try making homemade Cheez-Its, you’ll never want to go back to the store-bought version again. So, let’s get started!

Making Cheez-Its: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re a fan of those little orange crackers called Cheez-Its, but are looking for a more homemade version, then you’re in luck. Making your own Cheez-Its is surprisingly easy, and you can even customize them with your favorite spices and seasonings. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to make your own Cheez-Its from scratch.

Ingredients

First, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients for the recipe. Here’s what you’ll need:

– 2 cups of all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
– 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
– 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened
– 4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/4 cup of cold water

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Before you begin mixing the dough, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This way, it will be hot enough when you’re ready to bake the crackers.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Mix them together well with a spoon until they’re evenly distributed.

Step 3: Add the Butter and Cheese

Next, add the softened butter and shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl. Mix everything together with your hands until it forms a crumbly dough.

Step 4: Add the Water

Pour the cold water into the bowl and mix everything together until it forms a smooth and sticky dough. You might need to use your hands to get everything evenly mixed.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough

Take a rolling pin and roll out the dough onto a floured surface until it is about 1/8 inch thick. Use a knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into squares that are about 1 inch wide and 1 inch long.

Step 6: Poke Holes in the Dough

Use a toothpick or a fork to make small holes in the center of each dough square. This will help the crackers cook evenly and prevent them from puffing up too much.

Step 7: Bake the Crackers

Place the dough squares onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the crackers for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Step 8: Cool the Crackers

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the crackers cool for a few minutes before eating. This will help them firm up and become crispy.

Step 9: Store the Crackers

If you have any leftover crackers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They also freeze well, so you can make a big batch and save them for later.

Step 10: Enjoy Your Homemade Cheez-Its!

There you have it – a simple and delicious recipe for making your own Cheez-Its at home. Enjoy them as a snack on their own or use them as a crunchy topping for salads or soups. With this recipe, the possibilities are endless!

Ingredients needed to make homemade Cheez-Its

The ingredients needed to make homemade Cheez-Its are fairly simple and easily available in most grocery stores. Here is a list of the ingredients that you will need to make homemade Cheez-its:

1. Sharp Cheddar cheese: You will need 8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese for this recipe. Choosing a good quality cheese can make a big difference in the overall taste and texture of the Cheez-Its.

2. Unsalted butter: You will need 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter to add richness and depth of flavor to the crackers.

3. All-purpose flour: You will need 1 cup of all-purpose flour, which is used as a binding agent to hold the ingredients together.

4. Salt: Salt is an important ingredient that helps to enhance the flavor of the cheese and butter.

5. Paprika: Paprika adds a subtle smoky flavor to the Cheez-Its.

6. Cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper provides a slight kick to the crackers.

7. Cold water: Two tablespoons of cold water are needed to help bring the dough together.

8. Egg wash: One egg yolk is beaten with a tablespoon of water to create an egg wash, which is used to brush over the dough before it is baked.

9. Sesame seeds: Sesame seeds are optional, but they can be sprinkled over the top of the crackers to add a little extra crunch and flavor.

10. Baking powder: A small amount of baking powder is added to the dough to help the crackers rise and become crisp.

Now that you have all of your ingredients, let’s move on to the next step: making the dough.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cheez-Its at Home

So, now that you have gathered all the ingredients required to make Cheez-Its, it’s time to get down to business. In this section, we will cover all the steps involved in making the perfect Cheez-Its at home. So, let’s get started!

Step 1: Preheating the Oven

The first step in making Cheez-Its is to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). The oven should be preheated for about 10-15 minutes before you start baking.

Step 2: Making the Dough

To make the dough, you need to mix all the dry ingredients – flour, salt, and spices – in a large mixing bowl. Add the cold butter and mix everything together until the mixture turns into coarse crumbs. Then, add the shredded cheese and mix until everything is combined. Once the mixture comes together, add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and bring everything together to form a dough.

Step 3: Rolling the Dough

After the dough is formed, take it out of the bowl and transfer onto a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough using a rolling pin until it’s about 1/8 inch thick.

Step 4: Cutting the Dough

Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the rolled-out dough into small squares of about 1 inch by 1 inch.

Step 5: Baking and Seasoning the Cheez-Its

Transfer the cut-out squares onto a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake the Cheez-Its for 12-15 minutes until they turn golden brown. Once baked, take the tray out of the oven and let the Cheez-Its cool down completely. Once cool, you can season them with any additional spices of your choice.

In conclusion, making your own Cheez-Its is a fun and easy activity that is perfect for anyone who loves cheesy snacks. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can now enjoy the delicious taste of Cheez-Its in the comfort of your own home. Happy baking!

Time to munch on some homemade Cheez-Its

Thanks for taking the time to learn how to make your own delicious Cheez-Its! We hope you’re feeling inspired to get into the kitchen and experiment with different cheese flavors. Don’t forget to grab some friends (or family) and enjoy your homemade snacks together! We’ll have more recipes for you in the near future, so make sure to come back and check them out. But for now, go ahead and crunch on those Cheez-Its – you earned it!