Saltine cracker

Here is an in-depth recipe for Homemade Saltine Crackers, a crisp, flaky, and light snack that’s perfect for munching on its own or paired with your favorite dip, soup, or cheese. Making saltine crackers from scratch is easier than it sounds, and the results are wonderfully satisfying. These crackers are golden, buttery, and lightly salted—exactly what you would expect from a saltine, but made from scratch with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen!

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Homemade Saltine Crackers Recipe

Makes about 24-30 crackers

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Ingredients:

For the Crackers:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (150g)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus extra for sprinkling)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113g), cold and cut into small cubes
• 1/4 cup cold water (60ml), plus extra if needed
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional for a hint of sweetness)
• 1 tablespoon milk (optional, for a richer flavor)
• Coarse sea salt (for sprinkling on top)

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For the Egg Wash (Optional, for a glossy finish):

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water

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Equipment:

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper (optional for easy cleanup)
• Rolling pin
• Fork (for pricking the crackers)
• Knife or pizza cutter (for cutting the dough into squares)
• Pastry brush (for egg wash)
• Cooling rack

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Instructions:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that the oven reaches the right temperature to create crisp, golden crackers.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the crackers from sticking and to make cleanup easier. If you don’t have parchment, lightly grease the baking sheet.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar (if using). This step ensures that all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, so your crackers will have consistent texture and flavor.

Step 3: Add the Cold Butter

1. Next, add the cold butter cubes into the flour mixture. It’s important that the butter is cold to create the flakiness in the crackers.
2. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your hands to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with small pea-sized bits of butter throughout. This process is similar to making pie dough and is key to getting flaky crackers.

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

1. In a separate small bowl, combine the cold water, vinegar, and milk (if using). Add this wet mixture to the flour and butter mixture. Stir gently with a fork until the dough begins to come together. If the dough is too dry and crumbly, add a little more cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms into a ball.
2. Once the dough has come together, knead it lightly in the bowl to ensure everything is well combined. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can result in tough crackers.

Step 5: Roll Out the Dough

1. Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out as thinly as possible—aim for a thickness of about 1/16 inch (1.5 mm). The thinner you roll the dough, the crispier the crackers will be, so don’t be afraid to roll it thin.
2. If the dough becomes sticky, dust it lightly with flour. Be sure to roll it evenly to ensure uniform thickness throughout the dough.

Step 6: Cut the Crackers

1. Once the dough is rolled out, use a knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into squares about 1.5 inches (4 cm) on each side. You can also use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes, such as circles or triangles, but traditional saltines are square.
2. If you like, you can use the back of a fork to press lightly into the center of each cracker, creating the iconic pattern of indentations seen on store-bought saltines.

Step 7: Prick the Crackers

1. Use a fork to prick each cracker a few times. This allows the crackers to bake evenly and prevents them from puffing up too much during baking. It also helps to create the signature texture of saltines.

Step 8: Optional Egg Wash

1. If you want your crackers to have a glossy, golden finish, beat the egg and water together to create an egg wash. Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the egg wash over each cracker.
2. The egg wash is entirely optional but adds a nice sheen and helps the coarse sea salt stick to the top of the crackers.

Step 9: Sprinkle with Sea Salt

1. After applying the egg wash (or if you’re skipping the egg wash), sprinkle a pinch of coarse sea salt on each cracker. This adds extra flavor and gives the crackers a characteristic salty crunch.

Step 10: Bake the Crackers

1. Place the crackers on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart. They can be fairly close together, as they will not spread too much during baking.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crackers are golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them, as baking times can vary depending on your oven and how thinly the dough is rolled.
3. If you want your crackers extra crispy, you can bake them for an additional 1-2 minutes, but be careful not to burn them.

Step 11: Cool the Crackers

1. Once the crackers are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
2. Transfer the cooled crackers to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. The crackers will continue to crisp up as they cool.

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Notes:

1. Flour and Butter:

• Flour: All-purpose flour works best for making saltine crackers, but you can experiment with a mix of whole wheat flour or bread flour for a slightly different texture.
• Butter: The butter should be cold when added to the dough. This is a key step to ensure that the crackers bake up crisp and flaky. If you prefer, you can substitute the butter with cold shortening for a slightly flakier result.

2. Cold Water & Vinegar:

• Cold Water: The cold water helps the dough come together without activating the gluten, keeping the crackers tender. Adding the water gradually ensures you don’t end up with a sticky dough.
• Vinegar: The vinegar helps tenderize the dough and makes the crackers lighter. You won’t taste the vinegar in the final crackers, but it’s essential for the texture.

3. Texture & Thickness:

• Thinness: The key to crispy crackers is rolling the dough as thin as possible without it tearing. The thinner the dough, the more crispy and delicate the crackers will be.
• Even Rolling: For uniform baking, try to roll the dough evenly, without thick and thin spots. You may find it helpful to work in sections, rolling out small portions of dough at a time.

4. Flavor Variations:

• Seasonings: To make your crackers more flavorful, you can sprinkle in some garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, or parsley. A pinch of cayenne pepper can add some heat, or a sprinkle of cheese (like grated Parmesan) will give the crackers a savory kick.
• Cheese: If you prefer cheese-flavored crackers, you can mix in some finely grated Parmesan or cheddar into the dough before rolling it out for cheesy saltines.

5. Storage:

• How to Store: These homemade saltine crackers are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If they lose their crispiness, you can bake them at a low temperature (about 250°F/120°C) for 5-10 minutes to restore their crunch.
• Freezing: You can also freeze these crackers for up to 3 months. Just ensure that they are well-sealed in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.

6. Variations in Size:

• If you want to make mini saltines for snacking or party mixes, simply cut the dough into smaller squares, and adjust the baking time slightly to account for their smaller size.

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Conclusion:

Making homemade saltine crackers from scratch is a fun and rewarding process. The buttery, crisp texture of these crackers is unparalleled compared to store-bought versions, and they are incredibly versatile—perfect for snacking, dipping, or pairing with soups, salads, and cheese platters. By following this recipe, you’ll have a batch of crackers that are simple, fresh, and flavorful.

Not only do you get to enjoy a delicious homemade snack, but you also have the satisfaction of creating these classic crackers from scratch, tailored to your preferences. Happy baking!