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Spicy Cheese Crackers

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Cindy Rahe
Updated Oct 7, 2025
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Spicy Cheese Crackers are the easy, homemade snack that you didn’t know you needed in your baking repertoire. The dough for these slice-and-bake crackers comes together in one bowl with just a handful of simple ingredients. They bake up crispy and cheesy with just a hint of warming spice. They would make an excellent cocktail nibble or a welcome addition to any charcuterie board.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a quick look at the ingredients you’ll need to make these craveable cheese crackers.

Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar gives these crackers classic “cheesy” flavor. Aged or extra-sharp cheddar also works well in this recipe but is crumblier and has a more intense flavor.

Cayenne Pepper and Sweet Paprika: The two spices lend just a hint of sweet spice to the background of these crackers. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your liking.

Unsalted Butter: Butter produces a cracker with a rich, crisp bite.

Flour: All-purpose flour helps bind the crackers together giving them just enough structure and body while still being tender and crunchy.

Other Ingredients You’ll Need: Kosher salt and flaky sea salt

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How to Make Spicy Cheese Crackers

Here are some tips for making great homemade cheese crackers. See the full recipe for all the details.

1. Prep the Ingredients

This recipe comes together quickly and easily if you do a little prep ahead. To ensure a uniform dough, soften the butter so it incorporates easily with the other ingredients. Shred the cheese and gather your other ingredients while the butter softens.

2. Make and Roll the Dough

Mix the dough until it comes together, then roll into a 12-inch log. Wrap in plastic wrap and use the plastic wrap to help you make a smooth and uniform log.

3. Chill the Dough

Chill the dough for at least 2 hours. It should be firm when you slice it.

4. Slice and Bake

Slice the crackers into 1/2-inch-thick rounds and bake in batches, leaving the unbaked crackers in the refrigerator to chill as each batch bakes. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt when hot from the oven.

How to Store Spicy Cheese Crackers

Our best tips for storing Spicy Cheese Crackers.

Room Temperature

Store completely cooled crackers in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.

Freezer 

Place completely cooled crackers in a freezer-safe air-tight container or resealable plastic food storage bag for up to 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature.

Spicy Cheese Crackers

  • Prep Time 25 min
  • Total 3 hr 45 min
  • Servings 24
  • Ingredients 8
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 1/4 cups Gold Medal™ All Purpose Flour
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Flaky sea salt
Make With
Gold Medal Flour

Instructions

  • Step 
    1

    In a large mixing bowl, beat all ingredients except the flaky sea salt with an electric mixer until well blended and the dough is uniform and holds together.

  • Step 
    2

    Form dough into a 12-inch log. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

  • Step 
    3

    Heat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

  • Step 
    4

    Slice the chilled dough log into 1/2-inch-thick rounds, rotating the log as you slice so the edges don’t flatten. Place slices about 1 to 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake one pan at a time, for 22 to 24 minutes. Refrigerate the second pan of unbaked crackers while the first pan is baking.

  • Step 
    5

    Remove from the oven and sprinkle the tops with flaky sea salt. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Cool completely.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts are not available for this recipe

Recipe Tips

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