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Wheat Thins

Homemade Wheat Thins

June 1, 2012 23 Comments

Homemade Wheat Thins %The Baker Chick I consider myself a pretty productive person. I like to get up early, get things done, and then get even more things done. Now don’t get my wrong, I can have lazy days like everyone else, but I usually try to get things moving right off the bat. But…. then there was yesterday. I had the strangest craving for Wheat Thins and cheese sandwiches.  For some reason I just had to have that crispy salty and slightly sweet cracker that I couldn’t get off my brain.

Homemade Wheat Thins %The Baker Chick

So- I went to my corner bodega thinking they must have some and of course they didn’t. So- I had two options. 1- Walk a few blocks to the closest grocery store and buy some or 2- Go back upstairs and figure out a way to make them myself. So yes– I am so lazy that I would rather make my own Wheat Thins than walk a few blocks to buy them. Lazy but also kinda not right?

Homemade Wheat Thins %The Baker Chick

I have got to say that these were so worth it, and also so easy, that I don’t see why I would ever buy them again. Wheat Thins have such a specific flavor and I was skeptical that these would taste as good, but they really do.  The dough comes together in minutes, they are baked and cooled in just a few more. Before you know it, you may find yourself eating a stack of these in front of the TV watching this week’s Bachelorette. (Or maybe that’s just me?)

Homemade Wheat Thins %The Baker Chick

Print
Homemade Wheat Thins

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups (5 oz) whole wheat flour (I used whole wheat pastry flour)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus extra for topping
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Add the flour, sugar, salt and paprika to a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Cut the butter into small pieces and add it to the bowl. Then, using a pastry blender, two knives, (or your hands,) mix the butter into the dry ingredients until it is coarse and crumbly. Combine the water and vanilla in a small measuring cup. Add to the butter/flour mixture and mix until a smooth dough forms. If your dough is still dry, add a little more water.
  3. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Work with one piece at a time, keeping the others covered with a towel so they don't dry out. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin and roll the dough into a large rectangle. Lift the dough and turn it as you roll to ensure it's not sticking. You want to roll the dough as thin as possible, try to make sure it's 1/16-inch thick at most. If you want all of your crackers to be perfect, trim the edges of the dough so you have a rectangle with even sides. Use a pizza cutter to cut the rectangle into squares about 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide.
  4. Transfer the dough squares to the prepared baking sheets. You don't need to leave much space in between the crackers - they don't spread at all in the oven. Sprinkle the squares lightly with salt. Repeat the rolling and cutting process with the remaining 3 pieces of dough. Save all of your scraps under the towel; reroll them all at once to create a final batch of crackers.
  5. Bake the crackers, one sheet at a time, until crisp and browned, about 5-8 minutes. Check the crackers at 5 minutes, and if some of the thinner ones are browning too quickly, remove them to a plate and return the remaining crackers to the oven to finish baking. They can burn quickly- so keep a close eye on them! Once brown and crisp, transfer to a plate to cool. Store the crackers in an airtight container.
http://www.the-baker-chick.com/2012/06/01/homemade-wheat-thins/

Recipe adapted from Tracey’s Culinary Adventures via the King Arthur’s Flour Cookbook

Filed Under: Crackers, Recipes, Savory, Snacks

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Rosemary Olive Oil Flatbread

January 25, 2012 37 Comments

Rosemary Olive Oil Flatbread %The Baker Chick

I’ve told you this before, but I have a crazy “salty tooth.” I pretty much over-salt all my food because I just can’t get enough of the flavor. It’s horrible I know- I should probably start cutting down here and there, but I just love it so much. (Now do you understand my obsession with salted caramel?) To me, adding salt to food brings out all the flavors and just makes it taste SO much better. Have I warped my taste buds into only liking food if it’s salty? Oops!

Anyway- as much as I like to bring decadent treats with me to every get together and gathering, once in awhile I like to show up with something delicious from my oven that also happens to be savory. These flatbreads were served at a gathering with an array of dips and appetizers and they were delicious. I also think that making your own crackers and breads is so impressive you’ll earn major points from whomever you give them to. (Which is awesome considering how easy this is to make.)

Rosemary Olive Oil Flatbread %The Baker Chick

Note: This crispy flatbread comes together in minutes. The flavor combination options are endless (feel free to use other herbs if you prefer,) and it makes a wonderful snack to munch on around the house or bring to a get together. (Superbowl Party anyone?)

Print
Rosemary Olive Oil Flatbread

Yield: 3 10 inch rounds

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary plus 2 (6-inch) sprigs?
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup olive oil plus more for brushing?
  • Sea Salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F and put a heavy baking sheet on rack in middle.
  2. Stir together flour, chopped rosemary, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Make a well in center, then add water and oil and gradually stir into flour with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. Knead dough gently on a work surface 4 or 5 times.
  3. Divide dough into 3 pieces and roll out 1 piece (keep remaining pieces covered with plastic wrap) on a sheet of parchment paper into a 10-inch round (shape doesn't have to be perfect; dough should be thin).
  4. Lightly brush top with additional oil and scatter small clusters of rosemary leaves on top, pressing in slightly. Sprinkle with sea salt. Slide round (still on parchment) onto preheated baking sheet and bake until pale golden and browned in spots, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer flatbread (discard parchment) to a rack to cool, then make 2 more rounds (1 at a time) on fresh parchment (do not oil or salt until just before baking). Break into pieces. (It's more cracker-like than bread like!)
  5. Flatbread can be made 2 days ahead and cooled completely, then kept in an airtight container at room temperature.
http://www.the-baker-chick.com/2012/01/25/rosemary-olive-oil-flatbread/

Recipe from Smitten Kitchen via Gourmet Magazine

Filed Under: Breads, Crackers, Recipes, Savory, Snacks