Whole Wheat Smoked Cheddar Crackers (a.k.a. Smoky Cheez-It)

My kids and I survived a month long of school days, that involved miles high of homework, and never ending school projects!  Phew….we still have a long way to go, so please wish me luck!  This year seems to be a lot tougher than previous ones as the workload increased tremendously.  I need to constantly remind myself to breath in, breath out, and keep calm!   





What do we do to de-stress?  Bake some yummy food!  Whole Wheat Smoked Cheddar Crackers (a.k.a. Smoky Cheez-It), to be exact.  I  almost named this post with just “Smoky Cheez-It”.  However, these little golden gems are quite different than just Cheez-It in a few ways.  In this recipe, I used whole wheat pastry flour instead of white ones, along with freshly grated smoked cheddar cheese instead of the regular ones.  Of course, ingredients are all natural without any preservatives.  So, they are more healthy than the boxed version.  My kids and I really enjoyed baking these little crackers together over the weekend. 



These Whole Wheat Smoked Cheddar Crackers are crispy and flaky at the same time.  Packed with wonderful cheddar flavor along with a hint of smoky aroma.  They are perfect snacks to pack in the school bags or to the office.  Also, they are easier to prepare than you might think.  Check out my step-by-step video tutorial below to find out how. 







I hope you enjoyed watching my video tutorial.  If you haven’t done so, please subscribe to my YouTube channel here.  You’ll be the first to know when I have new video tutorials published.
Until next time, please stay tuned for more easy recipes and fun giveaways.







Ingredients and Props used:
Whole Wheat Pastry Flour (Click here for more information)
Smoked Cheddar Cheese (Click here for similar product)
Pastry Wheel (Click here for more information)
White Rectangular Plate (Click here for similar product)
Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat (click here for more information)
Calphalon Baking Sheet Pans (Click here for more information)
Organic Heavy Cream (Click here for more information)

Whole Wheat Parmesan Crackers

Have you checked out my Homemade Strawberry Roll Up recipe yet?   It was a great hit and many parents shared with me that they love the idea of wholesome treats and recipes.  Today, I have another great treat to share with you.  But instead of a sweet treat, I’m sharing a savory one with you.  I promise, these Whole Wheat Parmesan Crackers will rock your world!  For sure you won’t be able to stop at just one, nor 10!   



I've my fair share of trying different types and brands of whole grain flour, and this is by far my favorite one to use (see picture below).  I love this brand because the flour is super smooth and tender, you can hardly tell it’s whole wheat at all.  But then, you get the benefits of eating whole grains, the fiber, the nutrients, blah blah blah...etc.  Plus, it adds a hint of nutty flavor to your baked goods.  In case you’re interested, here’s the link to the site where I order mine.  The price is very reasonable as well.



I usually buy Parmesan cheese in a block/wedge and freshly grate the amount that I needed right before using.  That is the best way to keep the moisture and flavor of the Parmesan cheese.  So, don't even bother using the pre-grated ones.  Because, yes, you can totally taste the difference! Period!  I always say, use the best ingredients possible.  It is especially true when there are only a few ingredients on your recipe list.



These Whole Wheat Parmesan Crackers are slightly salty with a hint of nutty flavor from the whole wheat flour.  The texture is crunchy and slightly crumbly.  A little buttery and oh so good!  Who say eating healthy snack have to be boring or bland?  As you can see, I made them in rather small size, 1 by 1-inch squares to be exact.  These are really the perfect 1 biters.  Easy for the kids to eat and no guilt for the grown ups who can’t stop eating them one after one.



Want to check out how I made them? Follow me to the kitchen!

1) and 2) In the bowl of the food processor, pause the flour, cheese, salt, and butter until the mixture resemble wet sand with no big chunks of butter.

3) Then, add 4 tablespoons of cream and pause the mixture again. 

4) If the mixture form into a dough ball, you can stop right here.  If the mixture is a little dry, add more cream, a teaspoon at a time.  I usually use 5 tablespoons of cream in a batch.




5) and 6) In a slightly floured board, roll out the dough with a floured rolling pin to 1/4-inch thickness. 

7) With a fluted pastry wheel, cut dough into 1 by 1-inch squares.  

8) Place cut out dough on prepared baking sheet, 1-inch apart.  With a fork, gently prick each of the cut out cracker dough.  This will prevent the crackers from puffing up too much.  Baked until bottom and edges are golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.  Cool crackers on baking sheet over wiring rack until completely cooled.  Store crackers in air-tight container and enjoy.



Super easy, isn't it?  These are one of our family’s favorite savory snacks to enjoy.  Once you have made them, I'm sure they'll be your family's favorite as well.  They are easy to pack for school, picnic, or afternoon snacks.  And I bet they’ll be great for parties and gatherings too.  Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy today’s post and recipe.  If you try the recipe, be sure to leave me a message to let me know how you like it.  Until next time!