Description
Blue cheese crackers elevate classic appetizer fare with Ina Garten’s sophisticated twist. Crisp crackers combine sharp blue cheese, sharp cheddar, and delicate herbs for an elegant snack you’ll savor with wine or cocktails.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) Stilton cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup (60 g) roughly chopped walnuts
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ lb (113 g, 1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 extra-large egg
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Cheese Preparation: Whip Stilton and butter in an electric mixer using paddle attachment until smooth and creamy, creating a uniform mixture.
- Dough Formation: Gradually blend flour, salt, and pepper into cheese mixture at low speed, forming textured crumbles. Introduce water to bind ingredients, transforming mixture into a cohesive dough.
- Log Shaping: Transfer dough to floured surface and shape into a precise 12-inch elongated log. Brush entire surface with egg wash, ensuring complete coverage.
- Walnut Coating: Roll log through chopped walnuts, pressing gently to create an even, crunchy exterior that adheres firmly to the dough.
- Chilling Process: Wrap log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 days, allowing flavors to meld and develop complexity.
- Baking Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap chilled log and slice into thin, uniform crackers using a sharp knife.
- Baking and Finishing: Arrange crackers on parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining spacing. Bake for 22 minutes, rotating pan midway to ensure even golden browning. Cool completely on baking sheet to achieve maximum crispness before serving.
Notes
- Cheese Selection Matters: Use high-quality Stilton for rich, authentic flavor and creamy texture in the crackers.
- Dough Consistency is Key: Mix ingredients just until large crumbles form to prevent overworking and tough crackers.
- Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerating the log helps develop deeper taste and makes slicing easier with clean edges.
- Walnut Coating Technique: Press nuts gently but firmly into the log for even, crunchy exterior coverage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg