Homemade Cheez-Its

1. 1

   In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, pepper, paprika, powdered mustard, and onion powder.

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, mix together flour, cheddar, and the seasoning mix.

3. 3

   Add the pieces of butter and using your fingers work the butter with the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumble.

4. 4

   Add 6 tablespoons ice water, adding more if needed for the dough to come together.

5. 5

   You might want to use your hands to work the dough into a large ball.

6. 6

   Refrigerate for 1 hour.

7. 7

   Heat oven to 350.

8. 8

   I like to roll the dough out on a Silpat or parchment paper cut to fit a baking sheet to get the right size thickness (about 1/8 inch), and then transfer the Silpat or parchment to a baking sheet.

9. 9

   If you aren't using these, the dough should be rolled out to roughly fit a baking sheet.

10. 10

    Use a pizza cutter or fluted pastry wheel (gives that nice deckled edge) to cut the dough into squares.

11. 11

    It helps to use a ruler to evenly space out the cuts.

12. 12

    Use a chopstick to make the classic hole in the center that store-bought cheez-its have.

13. 13

    Sprinkle more kosher salt on top then bake for about 20 minutes.

14. 14

    You want the crackers to be crisp, but not burnt; you may wish to remove the outer couple rows, then put the pan back in and finish the inner rows.

15. 15

    Once they are done, use the same pizza cutter or fluted pastry wheel (lined up with your previous cuts) to separate the crackers fully.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.