Bushra Griffith
Cheese and crackers are a classic American food pairing. There are endless varieties of cheese and crackers to choose from, and selecting the right cracker can elevate your cheese spread. For example, a plain cracker can complement a complex, strongly-flavoured cheese, while a more robust, flavourful cracker can enhance a plainer cheese. When it comes to creating the perfect cheese board, it's essential to consider the texture and flavour profile of both the cheese and crackers to ensure they pair well together.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Crispy, crunchy, delicate, thin, robust |
| Flavor | Sweet, nutty, salty, mild, savory, seasoned, plain |
| Type | Nut-based, almond, seeded, whole wheat, multigrain, flatbread, sourdough, gluten-free, low-carb, breadsticks, crostini, rice |
| Shape | Circle, star, tree, heart |
| Occasion | Holiday-themed |
| Cheese | Goat, blue, aged, Manchego, Parmigiano Reggiano, Gouda |
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What You'll Learn
Sweet crackers like graham crackers or sugar cookies
Sweet crackers, such as graham crackers or sugar cookies, offer a delightful contrast to the savoury notes of cheese spreads. The key to this pairing is balancing the sweetness of the cracker with the right cheese spread.
For a classic approach, pair graham crackers with a creamy, mild cheese spread. The slightly sweet and nutty flavour of graham crackers serves as an excellent base for a variety of cheese spreads. Opt for a spread that is not overly assertive in flavour, such as a mild cheddar or a cream cheese-based spread. This ensures the natural sweetness of the graham cracker shines through.
Sugar cookies, on the other hand, call for a more careful selection. The pronounced sweetness of these cookies means that a stronger, more pungent cheese spread is in order. A sharp cheddar or a blue cheese spread can stand up to the sugar cookie's sweetness and create an intriguing sweet-savoury combination. Alternatively, a tangy and robust cheese spread, such as a chèvre (goat cheese) or a cream cheese blended with apricot jam, can also complement the sugar cookie's flavour profile.
When considering toppings and garnishes, fresh or dried fruits are excellent choices for sweet crackers. For instance, a mild cheese spread paired with graham crackers can be enhanced with a sprinkle of chopped nuts and dried cranberries. Likewise, sugar cookies topped with a sharp cheddar spread can be adorned with thin slices of apple or pear, adding a refreshing touch to the combination. Honey is another versatile topping that works well with both graham crackers and sugar cookies, accentuating their inherent sweetness while also complementing the savoury notes of the cheese spread.
In terms of presentation, sweet crackers with cheese spreads can be served as part of a dessert course or as a unique offering on a cheese board. For a whimsical touch, cut the crackers into interesting shapes or use cookie cutters to create themed shapes for special occasions. This approach to serving cheese spreads on sweet crackers is sure to intrigue and delight your guests, offering them a unique sensory experience that blends the best of both sweet and savoury worlds.
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Thin crisps to showcase the cheese
When it comes to crackers, thin crisps are the way to go if you want to showcase your cheese. While crackers are often seen as the "unsung heroes" of a cheese board, providing a vehicle for various cheeses and toppings, the cracker's role is sometimes to simply let the cheese shine.
Ariel Bredlau, a former cheesemaster, recommends thin crisps or similar crackers like 34 Degrees crackers to pair with cheese. This is because they add a little crunch without being too filling, allowing you to actually taste the cheese and its pairing. Kristine Hansen, contributor and author of the Wisconsin Cheese Cookbook, also agrees that thinner crackers with a lot of flavour can be especially good with soft, spreadable cheeses.
Some examples of thin crisps that can showcase your cheese include:
- Pain aux amandes: These are thin biscuits that are perfect with both goat and blue cheeses.
- Mary's Gone Crackers: They have a "Real Thin" cracker line with flavour-forward options that pair well with cheese.
- Trader Joe's Red Chili Scalloped Crackers: These crackers have a lot of flavour and are good with soft, spreadable cheeses.
- La Panzanella: A crispy cracker that comes in some flavours or plain.
- Rip Rap Baking: This company makes sourdough flatbread crackers that are great for snacking alongside cheeses.
When choosing a thin crisp to showcase your cheese, consider the flavour and texture of the cheese. For stronger, more aggressively salty cheeses like Manchego, nut-based crackers or crackers made with almonds can help balance out the severity of the cheese. For softer, spreadable cheeses, a thinner cracker with a lot of flavour can be a good choice. For plainer cheeses, a more robust and flavourful cracker can complement them well, while more complex cheeses with strong flavours may pair better with a simple cracker.
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Nut-based crackers to balance out salty cheeses
Nut-based crackers are a great option to balance out salty cheeses. They are also a perfect complement to soft cheeses. You can easily make these crackers at home by choosing your favourite combination of fruits, nuts, and seeds. For instance, you can try the following combinations:
- Fig, cherry, and walnut
- Apricot, almond, and pepita
- Date, pistachio, and pecan
To make these crackers, preheat your oven to 180C. Grease or line a small loaf tin with baking paper. Add milk and honey to a bowl and heat until they are combined. Cool the mixture. Chop the dried fruits and nuts of your chosen flavour. Stir yoghurt into the milk mixture, followed by dry ingredients, fruits, nuts, and spices. Smooth the mixture into the tin and bake for 30-40 minutes. Cool the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
You can also make nut and cheese crackers at home. Combine a cup of raw cashews, a cup of grated pecorino Romano cheese, a quarter cup of water, and half a teaspoon of salt (only if using cheese less salty than pecorino Romano) in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add water by the tablespoon until the dough comes together. Spread the mixture onto a cookie sheet, cover with parchment paper, and roll the mixture to 1/8-inch thickness. Peel off the parchment paper and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the crackers are lightly browned. Cut the crackers into your desired shape immediately after removing them from the oven.
If you are looking for store-bought options, you can try the sweet and nutty Beechers Crackers, which are known to hold up well when spreading cheese on them. Pain aux amandes, or almond "bread", also pairs well with goat and blue cheeses.
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Keto crackers made with almond flour
Keto crackers are a low-carb, grain-free, crispy, and crunchy snack that can be made with just a few simple ingredients. One of the most popular recipes for keto crackers uses almond flour as the main ingredient, along with shredded cheese and salt. Here is a step-by-step guide to making these delicious keto crackers:
Ingredients:
- Almond flour
- Shredded cheese
- Salt to taste
- Water (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine almond flour, shredded cheese, and salt in a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend well until a dough forms. If the dough is too dry or crumbly, add a little water, a teaspoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Place the dough onto a sheet of parchment paper and cover with another sheet.
- Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough until it is thin and even, aiming for a thickness of around 1/4 inch. The thinner the dough, the crispier the crackers will be.
- Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into square cracker shapes.
- Place the crackers on the lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
- Flip the crackers and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, keeping an eye on them to avoid burning.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool completely. The crackers will crisp up as they cool.
Variations:
You can experiment with different flavours and seasonings to create a variety of crackers:
- Super Seed: Add chia seeds, flax meal, and sunflower seeds for extra nutrition and flavour.
- Garlic & Herb: Include garlic powder and dried herbs like thyme or rosemary. A pinch of red pepper flakes can also be added for a spicy kick.
- Sweet: For a sweet twist, add a sweetener like Besti, along with vanilla or almond extract, and spices like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. Be careful not to add too much sweetener, as it can dry out the dough.
These keto almond flour crackers are versatile and can be enjoyed in numerous ways:
- As a snack on their own
- With dips like French onion dip, spinach artichoke dip, or even homemade cheese spread
- Topped with sliced cheese, jam, cream cheese, or lox
- As a side with soups, such as keto chili or low-carb chicken soup
- As a salad topper, adding a crunchy texture similar to croutons
- On a charcuterie board, alongside meats, cheeses, and other tasty treats
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Plain crackers to let the cheese shine
When it comes to crackers, sometimes the best option is to keep it simple and let the cheese shine. While there are endless varieties of crackers to choose from, a plain cracker can be the perfect complement to a complex or strongly-flavoured cheese.
Ariel Bredlau, a former cheesemaster, recommends thin crisps or crackers to pair with cheese. The crunch of the cracker enhances the softness of the cheese, and a plain cracker allows the flavour of the cheese to take centre stage.
For a classic pairing, Ritz Crackers are a popular choice to let the cheese shine. Their buttery flavour and texture can be the perfect base for a spreadable cheese. Similarly, Triscuits have a slightly salty flavour that pairs well with a simple cheddar cheese spread.
For those seeking a gluten-free option, there are several plain crackers that fit the bill. Mary's Gone Crackers offers a range of seedy crisp crackers, including gluten-free options, that can provide a flavourful complement to a variety of cheeses. Rice crackers are another gluten-free choice that can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a cheese spread.
When creating a cheese board, it's often recommended to include at least two types of crackers: one more robust and flavourful to complement plainer cheeses, and a simpler, plainer cracker to pair with more complex or strongly-flavoured cheeses. This allows your guests to explore different flavour combinations and find their favourite pairings.
So, while there are countless flavoured crackers to choose from, don't underestimate the power of a plain cracker to let the cheese shine.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a variety of crackers that go well with cheese spread. For a classic pairing, Ritz Crackers are a popular choice. For something sweet, graham crackers or sugar cookies can be paired with pepper jelly for a cheesecake feel. For a nuttier option, try almond "bread" or crackers made with almonds, especially with salty cheeses like Manchego.
Yes, there are gluten-free crackers that can be enjoyed with cheese spread. Rice crackers from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods are a good option. You can also make your own almond flour crackers, which go well with cheese spread and add a depth of flavor.
Thin and crispy crackers like 34 Degrees crackers or similar crisps are great for showcasing the cheese as they provide a crunch without being too filling. Plain crackers can also be used to let the cheese shine, especially with boldly flavored cheeses like Boursin.
For an unconventional option, try sourdough flatbread crackers from Rip Rap Baking. These crackers are sturdy and long, making them great for dipping or snacking alongside cheeses. Pain aux amandes, or almond "bread", is another unique option that pairs well with goat and blue cheeses.
