Cheez-It-ish Crackers…#FrenchFridayswithDorie

by Liz Berg on December 21, 2012

I had been combing my cookbooks for an easy appetizer for an upcoming neighborhood ornament exchange. Between a cookie exchange on Wednesday and all my holiday baking and candy making, I wasn’t in the mood for a complicated recipe. I had resigned to making some mushroom croustades…which were a bit more fiddly than my original intention. But then I spotted our FFwD assignment for this week on my calendar…homemade Cheez-Its! Perfect! I added 1/4 pound of Gruyère to my grocery list…I already had a little stash of Alepeppo pepper from one of my sisters (one of the perks of siblings who love to cook) plus the rest of the ingredients in my pantry.

All ingredients were pulsed in a food processor, then chilled for at least one hour (or up to 3 days).  The cold dough was rolled, cut into rounds and baked for about 15 minutes till  lightly golden.  I topped a few with teeny sprigs of thyme for some color. Your friends will be amazed that you made crackers…très chic crackers according to Dorie !

This recipe can be found in the Calgary Herald or in Dorie Greenspan’s cookbook, Around My French Table.

P.S. I’ve added a follow by email option…check it out on the right side of my page…and you won’t miss a single post!

{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }

Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.) December 21, 2012 at 6:02 am

These are so pretty Liz! And aren’t they perfect for holiday appetizers? Happy Holidays! XO

Reply

Mary Hirsch December 21, 2012 at 6:09 am

Your little herb touch is darling and makes this little piece of cheese heaven look even more “très chic”. We Midwestern gals need all the help we can get at being “très chic”, don’t we Liz? I do not have siblings who cook so didn’t have any Alepeppo pepper. It’s on my must-buy list of ingredients to keep on hand. I am wondering what the difference in taste will be since I’ve never had it on hand. I plan to keep these in the freezer and use regularly in a slice-and-bake sort of way. It’s as if making one’s own olives and crackers just places you in the “real cook” category! Maybe. Maybe not. Yours look lovely on your table. Merry Christmas. Happiest of New Year 2013 to you and your family, Liz.

Reply

Paula @ Vintage Kitchen December 21, 2012 at 6:22 am

You´re such a busy woman you always have an event where to take your baked goodies! I should´ve made them thicker, and with thyme, that´s a great option. Have a wonderful Christmas Liz!

Reply

Cakelaw December 21, 2012 at 6:33 am

Hey, this week’s recipe was perfect for your needs. They look great Liz.

Reply

Taking On Magazines December 21, 2012 at 8:27 am

I love it when a recipe covers several needs, including being deliciously addictive, which these look. I hope you have fun at the cookie exchange.

Reply

Sara December 21, 2012 at 9:17 am

Beautiful result, as always! Your crackers look so elegant and classy! The little pop of green from the thyme makes them look incredible. Lovely job! Happy holidays to you and yours, Liz. Have a good one!

Reply

Tiffany December 21, 2012 at 9:36 am

Oh, Lizzy, these look amazing! My boyfriend and I are addicted to cheeze its! lol. These are much more refined (and I bet better for us!). Wishing you and yours happy holidays, and sending you big hugs from DC! :D

Reply

Maggie December 21, 2012 at 9:41 am

These were great, weren’t they? I brought them to a cookie exchange and I think it’s safe to say they were universally loved. The little thyme sprigs are adorable of course!

Reply

Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family December 21, 2012 at 9:43 am

These are so perfect. I love the ease of the recipe and I am sure the taste is phenomenal.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend Liz!

Reply

The Café Sucré Farine December 21, 2012 at 9:55 am

These are such plain looking cracker but you made them so pretty with your herbs Lizzy! They sound wonderful and I love that they’re so simple!

Reply

Trevor Sis. Boom December 21, 2012 at 10:33 am

yum. I do need to make these. Whats not to like?

Reply

Susan December 21, 2012 at 11:40 am

I love the addition of fresh herbs! I was thinking these would be good with herbs – next time!

Reply

cquek December 21, 2012 at 11:43 am

What gorgeous pics you took of the food. Looks insanely delicious!

Reply

Laura (Tutti Dolci) December 21, 2012 at 12:28 pm

I can never say no to a cheese cracker!

Reply

yummychunklet December 21, 2012 at 12:53 pm

I knew your crackers would be wonderful and so fancy! Great photos!

Reply

Patty December 21, 2012 at 1:40 pm

Pretty pictures, love the touch of fresh thyme;-) I will be making this recipe again very soon;-)

Reply

Tammy December 21, 2012 at 2:26 pm

Your photos are so beautiful! And adding fresh thyme is a wonderful idea.

Reply

Eva Taylor December 21, 2012 at 3:27 pm

I know I would love this recipe, Liz and I do have some wonderful Gruyère at home (fyi, Costco has a very good one and it’s rather reasonable compared to the cheese shops here). I love the idea of an ornament exchange too, may have to ‘borrow’ that next year.

Reply

Rose December 21, 2012 at 4:57 pm

I thought that this was a great recipe to have in my repertoire for get-togethers. I went the route of rolling the dough into a log and slicing off the crackers. Easy and delicious! And a nice salty counterpoint to the holiday sweets.

Reply

pamkaren December 21, 2012 at 7:43 pm

beautiful photos!! happy holidays…

Reply

Betsy December 21, 2012 at 9:25 pm

I love your herby garnish. They look oh-so-elegant. Perfect for a party! Have a Merry Christmas, Liz!

Reply

The Squishy Monster December 21, 2012 at 10:19 pm

These may have to make a special appearance on my cheese platter…lovely!!

Reply

Teresa December 22, 2012 at 1:08 am

Your presentations are always so beautiful! These crackers are perfect party food. Merry Christmas!

Reply

Elaine December 22, 2012 at 3:02 am

Your photos are beautiful, Lizzy. These were just so tasty and perfect to serve during the holiday. I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

Reply

DWei December 22, 2012 at 6:38 am

Looks like a good snack food. :)

Reply

Lisa December 22, 2012 at 7:27 am

Let me tell you, I’ve eaten many versions of Cheez-Its..or Cheese-It like crackers..store-bought and homemade..and these look to be better than all of them! I love how thick they are..more cheese! That said..A warm lovely, safe and Happy Holiday to you and yours, my dear friend :) xoxo

Reply

Lisa December 22, 2012 at 8:08 am

Oh, BTW..love your new home!

Reply

Serena December 22, 2012 at 12:05 pm

Lizzy these look beautiful! I have seen that recipe from Dori in Around My French Table and I cant wait to make it after seeing yours! Yum!

Reply

anthony stemke December 22, 2012 at 7:00 pm

These are lovely crackers Skinny, and the photograph is very appealing.
I wish you and your family a verry merry Christmas.

Reply

Emily @ Life on Food December 22, 2012 at 8:42 pm

I would say these are way better than just Cheese-Its!

Reply

Tricia S. December 22, 2012 at 9:44 pm

I am with the others on loving the thyme touch :) It all looks so beautiful and festive. We enjoyed these immensely…for me the fact that they were “non-fiddly” made me enjoy them all the more. Great job and happy holidays !!

Reply

Lora @cakeduchess December 22, 2012 at 10:18 pm

Oh, I have to try these crackers. Great idea for Christmas day lunch snack:) Yours look so pretty and festive with the thyme sprig:)

Reply

Vicki Bensinger December 23, 2012 at 12:32 am

I love Cheez-It’s. if these even taste remotely like them I have to make them.

Reply

Aguileon December 24, 2012 at 12:31 am

it’s simple and delicious

Reply

Andrea December 24, 2012 at 5:26 am

Liz, wonderful Cheese Crackers – I love the presentation of the crackers with one of my very favorite herbs, thyme! I would also like to take the opportunity one more time to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the upcoming year! Looking forward to many more great posts!

Reply

Kayle (The Cooking Actress) December 29, 2012 at 10:45 am

Ooooooh these crackers look delightful and delicious (I like alliteration…:P)! Yummers!

Reply

Michael Beard February 9, 2013 at 5:08 pm

I love to find the darker toasted cheez-it crackers in a box, they have a great toasted flavor. Could you make an extra toasted product from original Cheez-it?

Reply

admin February 9, 2013 at 6:20 pm

Gosh, I haven’t heard of the toasted Cheez-Its…but maybe baking them longer would give a similar flavor?

Reply

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: