The Best Ina Garten Stilton & Walnut Crackers Recipe Ever

Stilton & walnut crackers combine rich, tangy cheese with nutty crunch in an irresistible appetizer.

These sophisticated bites elevate simple ingredients into something magical.

Professional home cooks appreciate how quickly they assemble.

Each cracker delivers complex flavor profiles that surprise and delight guests.

Crisp texture meets bold cheese in a harmonious blend that transforms ordinary snacking moments.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these crackers work beautifully for elegant gatherings or casual weekend nibbles.

You’ll want to prepare extras because they disappear fast: a true party sensation awaits:

Reasons to Love Ina Garten’s Stilton & Walnut Crackers

• Elevate Cheese Lovers' Delight: These crackers pack a powerful Stilton punch, delivering an intense, rich cheese flavor that will make any cheese enthusiast swoon with joy.
• Crunchy Nutty Texture Triumph: The walnuts provide an irresistible crispy exterior and delightful nutty crunch, creating a satisfying contrast to the smooth, buttery base of the cracker.
• Make-Ahead Magic: With the ability to prepare and refrigerate the dough up to 4 days in advance, these crackers offer incredible convenience for last-minute entertaining or spontaneous snack cravings.

Essential Ingredients in Ina Garten’s Stilton & Walnut Crackers

Main Ingredients:

• Stilton Cheese: A rich, tangy blue cheese that provides bold flavor and creamy texture to the crackers.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness, helps bind ingredients, and creates a smooth, tender cracker base.

• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure for the crackers, providing a crisp and sturdy foundation.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhance overall flavor and add subtle seasoning to the cracker.

• Walnuts: Provide a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the exterior of the crackers.
• Egg: Acts as a wash to help walnuts adhere and create a golden brown finish when baked.
• Cold Water: Helps bind the dough and achieve the right consistency for shaping.

Directions for Ina Garten’s Stilton & Walnut Crackers

Step 1: Blend Creamy Base

In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, whip butter and Stilton cheese until silky smooth and fully combined.

Step 2: Create Dough Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix on low speed until crumbly texture forms. Pour cold water and blend until dough starts connecting.

Step 3: Shape Elegant Log

Transfer dough onto lightly floured surface. Roll into sleek 12-inch / 30 cm cylindrical shape. Gently brush entire surface with egg wash.

Step 4: Coat With Crunchy Walnuts

Scatter chopped walnuts on clean cutting board. Carefully roll dough log through nuts, pressing gently to ensure even coating. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Chill in refrigerator for minimum 30 minutes or up to 4 days.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Station

Warm oven to 350°F / 180°C. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 6: Slice And Bake Crackers

Using sharp knife, cut log into ⅜-inch / 1 cm round slices. Arrange on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 22 minutes, rotating pan midway through, until edges turn golden brown.

Step 7: Cool And Enjoy

Allow crackers to cool completely on baking sheet. Serve at room temperature as elegant appetizer or snack.

Handy Tricks for Ina Garten’s Stilton & Walnut Crackers

• Master Ingredient Temperature: Bring butter and Stilton to room temperature for seamless blending and a silky-smooth dough that combines effortlessly.
• Perfect Dough Chill: Refrigerate the log wrapped tightly in plastic for at least 30 minutes to help crackers maintain their elegant shape and crisp structure during baking.
• Walnut Coating Technique: Gently press and roll the dough log into chopped walnuts, creating a uniform nutty exterior that delivers delightful crunch and rich flavor in every bite.
• Precision Slicing Matters: Sharp knife and steady hand are key to creating uniform ⅜-inch slices that guarantee consistent baking and a professional-looking cracker.
• Oven Rotation Strategy: Midway through baking, turn the pan to ensure golden-brown perfection across all crackers, eliminating any uneven coloring or texture differences.

Keeping Ina Garten’s Stilton & Walnut Crackers Fresh

• Preserve Peak Crispness: Transfer cooled crackers to an hermetic glass container with a tight-sealing lid, adding a small silica gel packet to absorb excess moisture and maintain ultimate crunchiness. Consume within 5 days for maximum flavor and texture integrity.
• Freezer Strategy: Carefully layer crackers between sheets of parchment paper inside a sturdy freezer-safe container, ensuring minimal air exposure. Seal completely and freeze up to 3 months, allowing effortless enjoyment of these gourmet treats whenever a craving strikes.
• Room Temperature Hack: For short-term storage lasting 2-3 days, place crackers in a ceramic cookie jar with a humidity-controlling lid, keeping them away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Protect from moisture and air to prevent staleness and maintain delicate walnut crunch.

Tasty Twists on Ina Garten’s Stilton & Walnut Crackers

• Goat Cheese Harvest: Swap Stilton with soft goat cheese for a tangy, earthy flavor profile. Add chopped fresh thyme to complement the goat cheese's richness.
• Blue Cheese Crunch: Replace Stilton with strong blue cheese and swap walnuts for toasted pecans. Sprinkle smoked paprika for an extra layer of depth.
• Herb-Infused Classic: Mix in finely chopped fresh rosemary or chives into the dough. Use roasted almonds instead of walnuts for a different nutty coating.
• Spicy Cheddar Snap: Use sharp aged cheddar and add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Roll the log in toasted sunflower seeds for a crunchy exterior.

Closing Thoughts on Ina Garten’s Stilton & Walnut Crackers

Salty, tangy Stilton crackers from Ina Garten’s kitchen showcase elegant simplicity with gourmet flair.

Walnut-encrusted edges provide unexpected textural complexity that elevates classic appetizer expectations.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these crackers promise party perfection without complicated preparation.

Cheese lovers will appreciate nuanced flavor profiles balancing sharp Stilton with rich, buttery walnuts.

Professional home cooks can confidently craft these restaurant-worthy nibbles with minimal effort.

Complete party spreads sparkle when these crisp, savory rounds make their delectable debut – so grab ingredients, challenge kitchen skills, and let culinary magic unfold.

Passionate palates demand sharing, commenting, and liking this irresistible recipe revelation!

Ina Garten Stilton & Walnut Crackers Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 37 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Stilton & Walnut Crackers deliver a sophisticated blend of sharp cheese and nutty crunch. Elegant appetizers perfect for cocktail parties, these crackers invite guests to savor complex flavors that complement fine wines and gourmet conversations.

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Ingredients

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main ingredients:

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 8 ounces (226 grams) Stilton cheese, crumbled
• ¼ pound (113 grams) unsalted butter

seasonings and spices:

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

additional ingredients:

• ½ cup walnuts, finely chopped
• 1 extra-large egg
• 1 tablespoon water for egg wash

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Instructions

1. In a stand mixer equipped with a paddle attachment, thoroughly blend the butter and Stilton cheese until achieving a smooth, homogeneous texture, approximately 1 minute.
2. Gradually incorporate the flour, salt, and pepper into the creamed mixture on low speed, mixing until coarse crumbles develop. Introduce of cold water and continue mixing until the dough begins to consolidate.
3. Transfer the partially combined dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Carefully roll and shape the mixture into a uniform 12-inch / 30 centimeter cylindrical log.
4. Delicately brush the entire surface of the log with egg wash, ensuring complete coverage.
5. Distribute chopped walnuts evenly across a flat surface. Gently roll the log through the nuts, applying light pressure to ensure maximum nut adherence.
6. Tightly encase the walnut-coated log in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the dough to firm and flavors to meld. The log can be stored up to 4 days in advance.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for even heat distribution.
8. Using a sharp knife, slice the chilled log into precise ⅜-inch / 1 centimeter rounds. Arrange crackers with slight spacing on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 22 minutes, rotating the pan midway through to guarantee uniform golden coloration. The crackers should emerge light and crisp.
10. Allow crackers to cool completely on the baking sheet, enabling them to achieve optimal crispness. Serve at room temperature as an elegant appetizer or snack.

Notes

• Rotating the baking pan ensures even browning, giving crackers a perfect golden color and consistent texture throughout.
• Slicing the dough log requires precision with a sharp knife, cutting each cracker to a uniform ⅜-inch thickness for ideal crispness.
• Rolling walnuts around the dough log creates a delightful crunchy exterior that adds robust nutty flavor and attractive visual appeal.
• Chilling the wrapped dough log helps crackers maintain their shape and develop deeper flavor before baking, preventing spread and ensuring crisp edges.
• Bringing ingredients like butter and Stilton to room temperature guarantees smooth blending and creates a more cohesive, flavorful cracker dough.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 282 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 245 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 41 mg