DIY Herb-Flavored Cracker Recipes
Making your own delectable, crispy homemade herb crackers can elevate your cheese platter from mundane to excellent! These free-form, yeasty goodies are a cinch to whip up and call for "00" flour, a favorite among pizza makers for its silky smooth texture and scrumptious crunch. A sprinkle of fresh herbs and some coarse salt completes this quick and easy recipe, perfect for a snack or appetizer.
What to purchase:
There's no need to scour the market for "00" flour; you can easily find it at most well-stocked grocery stores. If you can't find a specific brand, don't fret - any brand will do! For your convenience, consider King Arthur's Italian-Style Flour.
To get a better understanding of the folding and rolling process, check out our Make Your Own Free-Form Herb Crackers project for animated visuals to help guide you along.
- Yield: 2 (10 x 8-inch) sheets
- Difficulty: Medium
- Total Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes
- Active Time: 1 hour
Ingredients (11)
- 1 (1/4-ounce) packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 7 tablespoons warm water (110 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit)
- 1 1/2 cups "00" flour, plus more for dusting the work surface
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/4 stick)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for oiling the bowl
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, sage leaves, tarragon, etc.)
- Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the yeast, sugar, and warm water. Set aside to let the yeast activate and froth, about 15 minutes.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together measured flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Set aside.
- Gently melt the butter and vegetable oil together. Mix the melted mixture into the yeast mixture.
- Add the liquid ingredients (yeast mixture) to the dry ingredients (flour mixture). Use your stand mixer's paddle attachment to mix at low speed until just combined, about 60 seconds.
- The dough will look wet at this point, but don't worry – that's what we want! Form the dough into a ball using your hands and place it in an oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap.
- Allow the dough to rise for 2 hours at room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- On a lightly floured work surface, flatten the dough ball with your hand and then pat it into a rough rectangle. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 10 x 15 inches. Fold the short sides inward towards the center until they meet, forming a rectangle about 6 x 13 inches. Rotate the dough 90 degrees, and then roll it into a 10 x 15-inch rectangle.
- Cut the dough in half to create two 10 x 8-inch pieces.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place one piece of dough on each sheet. Scatter herbs across the dough pieces, sprinkle with coarse sea salt, and gently press the herbs and salt into the dough with the palm of your hand - don't worry, not every herb will stick! Use the tines of a fork to poke holes in the dough to prevent it from puffing up as it bakes.
- Bake until the surface turns a light golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Shut off the oven and open the door completely. Allow the crackers to sit for 1 hour within the oven. This will enable them to finish baking and becoming deliciously crisp. Break apart by hand and serve with cheese.
Enjoy with a sprinkle of history and food culture:
The concept of crackers may seem simple in today's world, but their origins date back over 300 years ago. Originating from hardtack and ship's biscuits, crackers were a reliable, long-lasting food for sailors and soldiers. As settlers moved westward, homemade crackers became a staple in pioneer diet, providing sustenance for travelers as well as serving as a base for various toppings such as cheese, meat, and jams. Today, crackers remain a versatile and loved snack food, offering endless possibilities for creative toppings and flavors.
In the world of professional baking, "00" flour is a popular choice due to its fine, delicate texture, which makes crackers, pasta, and pizza exceptionally crisp. Historically, "00" flour originated in Italy, where it was reserved for high-quality baking purposes. Made from hard wheat, it is higher in protein content compared to standard all-purpose flour, resulting in superior bread and pasta. "00" flour has since gained popularity worldwide, making it an ideal ingredient for artisanal bakers and home cooks alike.
- For a better understanding of the folding and rolling process in making homemade herb crackers, check out the Make Your Own Free-Form Herb Crackers project for animated visuals.
- To whip up these free-form, yeasty crackers, you'll need an array of ingredients like "00" flour, active dry yeast, sugar, water, vegetable oil, fresh herbs, and coarse sea salt.
- Once baked, break apart these delectable homemade herb crackers by hand and serve them with a sprinkle of your favorite cheese for a snack or appetizer that elevates your cheese platter.
