Ina Garten’s Blue Cheese Crackers Recipe: Simple Party Magic

Blue cheese crackers tantalize taste buds with their rich, savory profile and irresistible crunch.

Delicate and sophisticated, these homemade treats elevate any gathering or quiet evening snack moment.

Creamy blue cheese transforms ordinary flour and butter into a gourmet experience that surprises and delights.

Subtle hints of nutty walnuts complement the sharp, tangy cheese essence within each carefully crafted cracker.

Crisp edges and tender centers promise a textural adventure that keeps guests coming back for more.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these crackers blend comfort and culinary artistry in one perfect bite: prepare to impress.

What Makes Ina Garten’s Blue Cheese Crackers Irresistible

• Savor Rich Flavor Bursts: These blue cheese crackers pack an intense, tangy punch from the Stilton, delivering a bold taste that dance across your palate with unexpected depth and complexity.
• Enjoy Elegant Texture Contrast: The crackers provide a delightful crunch from toasted walnuts while maintaining a delicate, crumbly interior that melts beautifully in your mouth, creating a sophisticated snacking experience.
• Create Effortless Gourmet Appetizer: With just a few simple steps and basic ingredients, you can whip up these impressive crackers that look and taste like they came from a high-end bakery, making you feel like a culinary pro without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Perfect for Stress-Free Entertaining: These make-ahead crackers can be prepared days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, giving you more time to focus on guests and less time worrying about last-minute preparations during parties or gatherings.

Here’s What Goes into Those Crumbly Crackers

• Stilton Cheese: Rich, tangy blue cheese that provides the bold flavor base for the crackers.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together, best when soft and at room temperature.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the cracker's structure and provides a neutral base for the cheese flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall seasoning and adds subtle warmth to the crackers.

• Egg Wash, Water: Helps bind the dough and create a golden exterior when baking.
• Walnuts: Provides a crunchy, nutty coating that adds texture and depth to the crackers.

Bake Blue Cheese Crackers Like Ina Does

Step 1: Whip Blue Cheese and Butter

Grab your electric mixer and paddle attachment. Toss in Stilton and butter, then beat for one minute until super smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Create Crumbly Dough

• Flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix on low speed until large crumbles form. Pour in one tablespoon of water and blend until just combined.

Step 3: Shape the Dough Log

Dust your work surface with flour. Transfer the dough and gently shape into a perfect ball. Roll the dough into a 12-inch long log. Brush the entire log with egg wash for a beautiful golden finish.

Step 4: Add Crunchy Walnut Coating

Spread chopped walnuts on a cutting board. Carefully roll the log through the nuts, pressing gently so they stick to the surface. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 4 days.

Step 5: Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350 Fahrenheit (175 Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 6: Slice and Arrange Crackers

Using a sharp knife, slice the chilled log into thin, delicate rounds. Arrange the crackers on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 22 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even browning. Watch for a beautiful golden color.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Remove from the oven and let the crackers cool completely. They’ll crisp up as they cool. Serve as a delightful appetizer or snack.

Crunchy Tips for Cheesy Cracker Greatness

• Soften Butter Strategically: Let butter sit out 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the perfect spreadable consistency without melting.
• Chill Dough for Clean Cuts: Refrigerate the dough log for at least an hour to help it firm up, making precise slicing easier and maintaining the crackers' shape.
• Roll Nuts Evenly: Press chopped nuts gently but firmly into the dough log to ensure they adhere completely and create a consistent coating.
• Check Cracker Crispness: Look for golden edges and a dry surface when baking to guarantee that perfect crispy texture.
• Store Smartly: Keep crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain their delicate crunch and flavor.

The Right Way to Keep Blue Cheese Crackers Crisp

• Airtight Container Method: Seal cooled crackers in a sturdy, hard-sided container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain crispness and prevent moisture absorption. Place a small piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve delicate texture.
• Vacuum Sealing Method: Remove excess air using a vacuum sealer for maximum freshness, which dramatically extends storage life and prevents potential freezer burn. Wrap crackers in wax paper before vacuum sealing to protect their delicate surface and prevent crumbling.
• Freezer Storage Method: Carefully layer crackers between sheets of parchment paper inside a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty zip-lock bag. Label the container with the date and contents, ensuring flat storage to prevent breakage. Thaw naturally at room temperature for best texture restoration, avoiding microwave heating which can make crackers soggy.

Take Your Crackers Up a Notch with These Variants

• Gouda Crunch: Replace Stilton with aged Gouda cheese for a milder, nutty flavor profile. Swap walnuts with toasted pine nuts for added texture and richness.
• Spicy Pepper Jack Nibbles: Substitute blue cheese with pepper jack for a zesty kick. Add finely chopped jalapeños to the dough for extra heat and complexity.
• Herb-Infused Parmesan Rounds: Switch Stilton with grated Parmesan cheese. Mix in dried thyme, rosemary, and crushed red pepper flakes for an aromatic, savory cracker that pairs perfectly with wine or cocktails.
• Mediterranean Olive Crackers: Replace blue cheese with crumbled feta. Fold in chopped kalamata olives and dried oregano to create a Mediterranean-inspired snack with bold, tangy notes.

A Final Crunch on Ina’s Blue Cheese Crackers

Stilton Blue Cheese Crackers emerge as sophisticated snack perfection, blending rich flavors with elegant simplicity.

Crisp walnut-crusted edges promise complex taste experiences that elevate any gathering.

Kitchen enthusiasts discover gourmet magic through Ina Garten’s masterful recipe technique.

Crumbly texture and sharp blue cheese whispers create memorable culinary moments.

Mediterranean influences dance through each carefully crafted cracker slice.

Passionate palates will celebrate these irresistible bites – so go ahead, share this delectable recipe, spread deliciousness across social platforms, and let culinary creativity spark conversation among fellow gastronomes.

Ina Garten Blue Cheese Crackers Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s blue cheese crackers elevate simple appetizers with rich, tangy flavors from sharp cheeses and buttery pastry. Crisp, elegant bites bring sophisticated charm to cocktail parties, making guests crave more of these irresistible homemade treats.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 8 ounces (226 grams) Stilton cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup (60 grams) roughly chopped walnuts

Dairy and Fat Ingredients:

• ¼ pound (113 grams, 1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 extra-large egg
• 1 tablespoon water

Seasoning Ingredients:

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

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Instructions

1. Blend the Stilton cheese and butter in an electric mixer using the paddle attachment, whipping for approximately 1 minute until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
2. Gradually incorporate flour, salt, and pepper into the mixture at low speed, allowing the ingredients to form large, textured crumbles. Introduce of water to help bind the dough.
3. Transfer the mixture onto a lightly floured surface, gently transforming it into a compact spherical shape. Roll the dough meticulously into a 12-inch (30.5 centimeters) elongated log.
4. Delicately brush the entire surface of the log with egg wash, ensuring complete coverage.
5. Spread chopped walnuts across a cutting board, strategically rolling the log through the nuts, pressing gently to create an even, crunchy exterior coating.
6. Carefully wrap the log in plastic wrap, sealing tightly. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to 4 days to enhance flavor development.
7. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
8. Remove the log from refrigeration and slice thinly using a sharp knife, creating precise, uniform crackers.
9. Arrange the crackers on a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining adequate spacing between each piece.
10. Bake for approximately 22 minutes, rotating the pan midway to ensure even golden browning. Remove when edges become crisp and color turns a light golden hue.
11. Allow crackers to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving, ensuring optimal crispness and texture.

Notes

• Cold ingredients can make mixing difficult and lead to tough crackers.
• Refrigerating the dough helps develop deeper flavors and makes rolling easier.
• Freezing the log briefly before slicing creates cleaner, more precise cuts.
• Storing crackers in an airtight container keeps them crisp for several days.
• Cracked edges during slicing are normal and add rustic charm to homemade crackers.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 157
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 134 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 22 mg