Artisan Fruit & Nut Crackers
Elevate your holiday cheese charcuterie board with these delightful homemade crackers. Crafted with a touch of gourmet flair, they are surprisingly simple to prepare. The beauty lies in the ability to tailor them to your taste by experimenting with various fruit, nut, and herb combinations using our foundational recipe.
Fun tip: Bake these loaves in advance and freeze them for several months.
When needed, slice and finish baking on the day for perfectly fresh, crisp crackers with minimal effort.
What You’ll Need
1/2 cup multipurpose flour
1/2 cup whole grain flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup milk of choice
1/4 cup honey
Fruit & Nut Add Ins
3/4 cup chopped dried fruit (apricots, figs, dates, raisins, cherries, etc.)
3/4 cup chopped nuts or seeds (pistachios, pecans, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, etc.)
2 tsp orange or lemon zest
Herbs & Spices- Optional to taste and preference
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp black pepper
Could also add: turmeric, cumin, or more herb-y flavours such as basil, marjoram, oregano, lavender, etc.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two mini loaf pans (5 1/2" × 3 1/4") with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine both flours, baking soda, salt, herbs, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, dried fruit, nuts, and zest. Stir until well combined.
Add the milk and honey, stirring until well combined.
Divide the mixture between the two mini pans.
Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Allow the loaves to cool to room temperature, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Remove from the freezer and preheat the oven to 300°F. Use a sharp knife to slice into 1/8" thick slices.
Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 12 minutes, then flip each cracker over. Bake for another 12 minutes, checking for doneness. They should be golden brown and feel dry to the touch. If needed, flip and leave in the oven for an additional 3-6 minutes.
Allow the crackers to cool completely before enjoying!