Cheddar Cornmeal Icebox Crackers – homemade crackers made with cheddar cheese and cornmeal with a spicy kick from cayenne pepper.
Last month, I sat down in front of my cookbooks to choose a Cookbook of the Month. I had this cookbook – Martha Stewart’s Hors d’oeuvres Handbook chosen out, but then I took that trip to Costco and ended up with Giada’s book, which took over as the Cookbook of the Month for November. But as I went to choose a book for this month, I decided that it all worked out for the best. There are so many get togethers and parties in the month of December between Christmas and New Years, and we can all use some ideas for appetizers or hors d’oeuvres (which I have the hardest time spelling!) to take to the parties we’ve been invited to or for the parties which we’ve planned.
This book has endless ideas, and I can’t believe in all the years I’ve owned it, I’ve never made anything from it. Granted, we all know I’m not an entertainer, but I’ve been asked to bring appetizers to plenty of occasions, and for some reason I’ve never turned to this book. This is all about to change.
The first recipe that I tried was for these Cheddar Cornmeal Icebox Crackers. I was going to post about these yesterday, but I didn’t start them until yesterday and they need a full 24 hours to chill before you bake them. So I baked them up this morning to bring them to you today. Crackers might seem like a boring choice, but show me one party where the crackers and dip aren’t a huge hit. They might not be as “fancy” as some other appetizers, but they are loved by all!
These crackers are indeed delicious. The cayenne does give a bit of a kick, and the cheddar taste is not too overpowering. Now if only I would have made a dip to go along with them!!
Cheddar Cornmeal Icebox Crackers
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons very cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces
- 1 cup finely grated cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Combine flour, cornmeal, salt, cayenne, and nutmeg in the bowl of a food processor; pulse to combine.
- Add butter; pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal.
- Add cheese; pulse until combined.
- With machine running, add milk; process until dough comes together and is well combined.
- Transfer dough to a work surface. Shape dough into a 2-inch-wide log.
- Wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours.
- Heat oven to 325 degrees.
- Slice chilled log into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
- Transfer slices to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake immediately, rotating sheet once, until crackers are golden brown and firm in the center, 25 to 35 minutes.
- Transfer to a rack to cool.
Megan says
I made some similar to these minus the cornmeal and LOVED them! These look every bit as delicious!
Luv4Country Soaps says
I am making these today, will bake tomorrow. I love cheese crackers and hope these taste as good as they looked on tastegawker. 😉
Aggie says
I love these crackers!! And your cupcakes for the shower turned out so cute! Not much longer now! (the last 2 months are so hard!)
Grace says
icebox crackers, eh? meh, why not? the triscuits haven’t really been doing it for me lately anyway. 🙂
Elizabeth says
I wonder how long these would keep in an airtight container? I’m hoping they would keep a while, in which case they would make great gifts for Christmas.
Mary says
Wow these look delicious!
Dawn says
Oh goodness these are wonderful!
I must make these–hubby loves cornmeal anything.
I bet it’s hard to eat just one?
Aimée says
I’m not a huge fan of store bought crackers but I could gobble up these in a hurry.
How are those Christmas preparations coming along? 🙂
Kevin says
Those cheddar crackers look really good!
kristina says
These sound and look fab! In fact, I’m not sure they’d even need a dip. I’ve never made crackers before, but I’m feeling inspired now. K x
Jennifer says
I am so ready to make this recipe….and I agree, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t appreciate a good cracker/dip…something tells me that these will be mighty fine flying solo!!!! THANK YOU!
noble pig says
Homemade crackers are always a special added touch…they will go first.
kat says
Fancy or not, they sound good to me
Mary says
These sound really different. I’m going to have to give them a try.
ashley says
oh whoa how different. i’ve made crackers before but these look very different! i’ll have to try them!
Maryann says
I love crackers and can eat a box before I’m aware of it 🙂
These look awesome!