• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Work With Me
  • Contact

CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Cheddar Sesame Crackers

appetizer· Easter· snacks· Tailgating Recipes
January 10, 2022

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Cheddar Sesame Crackers – Crispy, buttery crackers loaded with cheddar cheese and topped with sesame seeds

close up of bowl of cheddar sesame cracker

I used to think making my own chips and crackers was a silly waste of time. Why make when I can buy? After making these crackers, I am not ashamed to say how wrong I was.

Homemade crackers have a stronger flavor and a flakier texture than anything I’ve bought before. And because you control the ingredients, you can make them taste however you like! I love sesame seeds so I added them to a cheesy cracker. I also added in a pinch of cayenne for a hint of heat that barely hits the back of your palette.

The resulting snack was these Cheddar Sesame Crackers. How yummy do these look??

zoomed out shot of bowl of cheddar sesame crackers
overhead shot of cheddar sesame crackers in a bowl
cheddar sesame crackers laying on a striped napkin

Similar to pie dough

The process to making these crackers is, funnily enough, similar to making a pie dough. It’s formed in a food processor and derives most of it’s moisture from fat. In this case, the fat comes from butter and cheese. Water is only added to help it come together. Only 2 tablespoons are needed, though!

Forming the crackers

After the dough has formed, it’s chilled to get slightly firm. Then, it’s rolled out into a square and brushed with egg wash. The egg wash helped the sesame seeds stick to the cracker. The seeds get sprinkled all over the dough. Finally, the dough is sliced into smaller rectangles. I used a fluted pastry cutter to form crinkle edges on mine. But you can use a simple pizza cutter, too.

The crackers are baked until crispy and slightly brown on top.

baked cheddar sesame crackers on a baking sheet

Tips & Tricks

  1. The dough in this recipe is made with a food processor. It chops up the cheese and butter perfectly into the flour. I think it will be pretty hard to do without a food processor so I don’t recommend making this recipe by hand.
  2. Make sure you cook the crackers until they start to brown on top. This ensures they’re perfectly crispy and the sesame seeds toast on top.
  3. Only use a dash of cayenne in the dough. You won’t taste any heat from it but you will get a little flavor kick at the end of each bite.
Print Recipe

Cheddar Sesame Crackers

Prep Time30 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Chilling time:1 hour hr
Total Time1 hour hr 50 minutes mins
Servings: 64 crackers

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • dash cayenne pepper
  • 6 tablespoons butter unsalted, cold, cubed
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 egg wash (1 beaten egg with 1 teaspoon water)
  • 3 tablespoons sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Add shredded cheese, flour, cornstarch, salt, and cayenne to the bowl of a food processor. Close and blend until combined, about 15 seconds. Add cubed cold butter and process until mixture resembles wet sand and butter is in teeny pieced.
  • Turn processor on and drizzle in cold water. Process until dough forms, about 10-15 seconds. Turn off. Split dough into two halves and form each half into a square of dough. Wrap eat with plastic wrap and chill until more firm. at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove one square from the fridge and place onto clean counter dusted with a little flour. Using a rolling pin, roll square until each edge is 9-inches long. Trim the edges so they are smooth, making an 8-inch square. Brush the dough with egg wash and sprinkle with half of the sesame seeds.
  • Cut square into 8 strips. Cut each strip into four rectangles. Pierce each rectangle with a fork about 4 times. Place onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in preheated oven for about 18 minutes or until the tops just begin to brown. Repeat with other square of dough.
  • Let the crackers cool completely before serving.

Pin for later:

collage of cheddar sesame crackers with descriptive text

More recipes you’ll love:

Easy Garlic Parmesan Pretzels
zoomed in shot of Easy Parmesan Garlic Pretzels in a bowl
Pretzel Bites and Beer Cheese Dip
a Pretzel Bite being dipped into a bowl of Beer Cheese Dip
Healthy Onion Dip
photo of healthy onion dip in a square bowl with a chip sitting in the center

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

20 Comments

« Fried Goat Cheese Balls
Easy Teriyaki Salmon »

Comments

  1. Amy Nash says

    January 17, 2022 at 12:16 am

    Such a tasty little snack and they were fun to make too! So much better than storebought crackers!

    Reply
  2. Tammy says

    January 16, 2022 at 3:02 pm

    Cheddar crackers are my guilty pleasure. I’ve not tried making my own but my goodness these look SO good! I love that buttery crisp texture…they definitely will not last long in my house!

    Reply
  3. Aya says

    January 16, 2022 at 10:10 am

    These are so good and easy to make! They are cheesy and amazing! I will definitely be making them again!

    Reply
  4. Amanda Mason says

    January 16, 2022 at 9:08 am

    I’m still in shock with how easy these were to make. And so delicious!

    Reply
  5. Dennis Littley says

    January 15, 2022 at 7:02 pm

    I made a batch of your crackers and they were devoured in minutes!

    Reply
  6. Veronika Sykorova says

    January 15, 2022 at 1:22 pm

    I remember making similar crackers every few weeks when I was a kid, it was our family’s favorite snack! Just without the cheese. These were really good! Will definitely make again.

    Reply
  7. Kayla DiMaggio says

    January 13, 2022 at 9:56 am

    Yum! I am loving these cheddar sesame crackers! So easy and delicious!

    Reply
  8. Tisha says

    January 11, 2022 at 5:15 pm

    These look so simple to make and delicious!

    Reply
  9. Irena says

    January 11, 2022 at 4:02 pm

    OMG, these are dangerously good. Very hard to stop eating…but not complaining. Great recipe, never made crackers like this before.

    Reply
  10. Kate says

    January 11, 2022 at 4:01 pm

    These crackers were amazing! Let’s just say I am not buying from the stores again, now that I have learned to make my own!

    Reply
  11. Jessie says

    January 11, 2022 at 3:58 pm

    These were so light and crisp! My kids went crazy for these crackers and I can’t wait to make them again!

    Reply
  12. Vanessa says

    January 11, 2022 at 3:49 pm

    This is such an easy and delicious recipe. I love these crackers!

    Reply
  13. Denay DeGuzman says

    January 11, 2022 at 3:49 pm

    These crackers are amazing! And super easy to assemble. I made a double batch to pack as snacks for going boating. So tasty. This yummy recipe’s a keeper.

    Reply
  14. Vanessa says

    January 11, 2022 at 3:46 pm

    This is such an easy and delicious recipe. They are dangerously moorish!

    Reply
  15. Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

    January 11, 2022 at 11:14 am

    Homemade cheese crackers are the best ever and these look so tempting. I am in love with the recipe and they are so easy to make.

    Reply
  16. Marta says

    January 10, 2022 at 8:51 pm

    These remind me of cheez-its, only a gazillion times more tasty and healthy.

    Reply
  17. Amber Myers says

    January 10, 2022 at 8:18 pm

    Oooo these look amazing! I have always liked munching on crackers.

    Reply
  18. Karen says

    January 10, 2022 at 8:14 pm

    These crackers look delicious! Love the combo of cheddar and sesame, think I am going to try this recipe over the weekend.

    Reply
  19. Gloria says

    January 10, 2022 at 3:43 pm

    I have never tried to make homemade crackers. These sound delicious and I bet they are addictive too. Perfect for snacking.

    Reply
  20. Megan says

    January 10, 2022 at 3:32 pm

    My kids LOVE to make homemade crackers. It’s definitely better than store-bought. I bet they’ll love these ones since they look cheesy!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi, my name is Sharon. I’m an accountant by day, risk-taking baker and food enthusiast by night. Come join me as I share my favorite recipes and test out new ones along the way!

fall flavors

overhead shot of pumpkin churros on a plate of cinnamon sugar

Pumpkin Churros

a bowl of Butterscotch Vanilla Bean Sauce with a spoon in it and a bowl of brown sugar with a spoon in it on a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Butterscotch Vanilla Bean Sauce

two copper mugs filled with holiday mule drinks and a pitcher in the background

Holiday Mule

pint glass of pumpkin cream cold brew coffee with a metal straw

Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

a stack of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies and individual cookies on a sheet pan with chocolate chips around them and a stack of pumpkins in the background, shot from a side angle

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

a baking sheet with banana bread granola and a whole banana on it, shot from a side angle

Banana Bread Granola

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

Breakfast
Appetizers
Entrees
Salads
Sides
Drinks
Desserts
Roundups
Holidays

Browse by Date

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy

holiday favorite

autumn kale salad in a blue salad bowl

Autumn Kale Salad

close up of raspberries & cream profiterole sitting on a white plate

Raspberries & Cream Profiteroles

a plate of pistachio snowballs with one cut in half on top of the plate, shot from the front

Pistachio Snowballs

Sausage Egg & Cheese Pastry Muffins on a platter with a sprig of rosemary, shot from a side angle

Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Pastry Muffins

zoomed in shot of sour cream doughnuts and donut holes on a cloth napkin, shot from a side angle

Sour Cream Doughnuts

 

Okay, story time! Over the holidays, we finally go Okay, story time! Over the holidays, we finally got to visit Gideon's Bakehouse in Orlando, you know, the legendary bakery with the nearly HALF-POUND cookies that everyone raves about? The ones with 2+ hour wait times?

They had a virtual queue going, so we shopped around until it was our turn (thank goodness!). I grabbed a few of their famous cookies, including one that immediately caught my eye: the Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookie. 

I'm obsessed with banana and chocolate together, so this was a no-brainer!

And OH MY GOSH. It was even better than I imagined! Not only was it loaded with chocolate and real banana flavor, but it had candied walnuts throughout for this sweet-salty crunch. INCREDIBLE! 

The biggest bummer? You can ONLY get them in Orlando, no online ordering, no shipping. So of course, I decided to recreate them at home! And you guys... I think I got pretty darn close!

What makes these cookies special:
🍌 Real Banana Flavor: Mashed banana (not artificial!) gives them that authentic banana bread taste
🥜 Candied Walnuts: This is KEY—they stay crunchy and add that sweet-salty element
🍫 Double Chocolate: Regular AND large chocolate chips for maximum chocolatey goodness
🍪 Thick & Chewy: Chilling the dough keeps them beautifully thick

Want to make your own Gideon's-inspired cookies at home? 💌 Comment 'BANANA' below and I'll send you the link!

Have you been to Gideon's? What's your favorite cookie flavor? 👇
#BananaCookies #ChocolateChipCookies #GideonsBakehouse #OrlandoBakery #BakeryStyleCookies #BananaChocolateChip #HomemadeCookies #CookieRecipe #BakingFromScratch #CopycatRecipes
I used to love cooking, but during busy weeks it f I used to love cooking, but during busy weeks it felt like a chore. I was too exhausted after work to make anything fun. But with all that time at home, I was able to rethink our favorite foods and make them more achievable for weeknights.

I'd always loved mojo pork (that Cuban citrus-marinated pork that's SO flavorful), but I never made it because traditional pork loin takes FOREVER to roast. But then I had a lightbulb moment: What if I used pork TENDERLOIN instead? 

We eat it all the time because it's lean, quick-cooking, and my husband can grill it in under 30 minutes. Why not marinate it in mojo?

Here's what makes this recipe a weeknight winner:
🍊 The Marinade: Orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, and oregano create that classic Cuban flavor. Just dump everything in a bag and let it work its magic!
⏰ The Timeline: Marinate for 4-24 hours (I usually do overnight), then it's only 25 minutes of active cooking time. Quick sear + oven = done!
🍽️ The Versatility: Serve it with rice and beans, make tacos, top a salad, use for Cuban sandwiches, or meal prep it for the week!

Three critical tips:
-DRY the pork after marinating: This is SO important! Pat it completely dry before searing or you'll steam it instead of getting a beautiful crust
-Use a meat thermometer: Pull it at 145°F for perfectly juicy pork every time. No guessing, no cutting it open repeatedly
-Don't over-marinate: 24 hours max or the texture gets mushy!

This has become one of our absolute go-to meals. It tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen but it's secretly SO easy!

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment 'MOJO' below and I'll send you the link!

#MojoPork #PorkTenderloin #CubanFood #WeeknghtDinner #EasyDinner #DinnerIdeas #MarinadeRecipe #HealthyDinner #MealPrepIdeas #QuickDinner
Can we talk about how guava and cream cheese is TH Can we talk about how guava and cream cheese is THE most underrated flavor combination ever?! 

Growing up, guava was always around. My dad would spread it on toast with butter every morning, and I did the same. But it wasn't until I had guava with cream cheese at a Latin bakery in Florida that I truly appreciated this tropical fruit. 

The cream cheese perfectly balances the tangy guava jelly and makes everything ultra creamy. Wrapped in flaky puff pastry? KILLER.

I know this pastry braid looks super fancy and complicated, but here's the secret: IT'S SHOCKINGLY SIMPLE. When I first saw a pastry braid, I was so intimidated by how intricate it looked. It felt almost unattainable without tons of practice. But I'm here to tell you that is absolutely not the case!

Here's the whole process:
1️⃣ Roll out puff pastry and cut slits on the sides
2️⃣ Spread cream cheese and guava down the center
3️⃣ Overlap the side pieces to create the braid
4️⃣ Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar
5️⃣ Bake until deep golden brown

THAT'S IT! The braiding technique is so much easier than it looks, and the result is absolutely stunning.

Two critical tips:
-Keep it COLD before baking: Cold puff pastry = steam when it hits the hot oven = flaky layers! If the butter is too warm, it won't puff properly.
-Bake until DEEP golden brown: Not just golden, but DEEP golden. This ensures crispy, flaky pastry that's cooked all the way through. Nobody wants soggy pastry!

This is perfect for brunch, dessert, or honestly just because you want something that looks impressive but is secretly easy to make. You can also substitute any fruit preserves if you can't find guava!

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment 'GUAVA' below and I'll send you the link!

#GuavaPastry #PuffPastry #PastryBraid #LatinDesserts #CreamCheese #BrunchRecipes #HomemadePastries #BakingFromScratch #WeekendBaking #ImpressiveButEasy
Do you remember those Danish butter cookies that c Do you remember those Danish butter cookies that came in the fancy blue tin? The ones your mom would buy every Christmas and you'd go absolutely CRAZY for? 

Well, guess what? You can make them YOURSELF! And they're shockingly simple!

I'm talking about those perfectly crispy-on-the-outside, melt-in-your-mouth-on-the-inside shortbread cookies that are basically edible butter. And honestly? 

I don't think they should be reserved just for the holidays. These cookies deserve to be eaten ALL YEAR LONG!

Here's what makes them so special:
-The Recipe: Only FIVE ingredients—butter, flour, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. That's it! If you can cream butter and sugar together, you can make these.
-The Texture: They're like shortbread cookies but slightly softer, so when you bite into them, they literally melt in your mouth. It's pure butter heaven.
-The Secret: Use European-style butter! It has a higher fat content which makes these cookies extra creamy and flavorful. It's worth the upgrade, I promise!

Important tips:
Be VERY careful measuring your flour—too much and the dough will be impossible to pipe
Use a LARGE star tip (not a small one!) or you won't be able to squeeze the dough out
These actually taste BETTER after they cool! The crispiness is what makes them so good, so resist eating them warm (I know it's hard!)

These are perfect for coffee breaks, gift-giving, parties, or honestly just because you deserve a good cookie. You can make them in under an hour from start to finish!

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment 'BUTTER' below and I'll send you the link!

#DanishButterCookies #ButterCookies #ShortbreadCookies #HolidayBaking #CookieRecipe #HomemadeCookies
After making approximately ONE MILLION pumpkin tre After making approximately ONE MILLION pumpkin treats recently, I was desperate for something with all those cozy fall vibes but maybe... a little less pumpkin? 

So I set my sights on something that doesn't get nearly enough love in the dessert world: SWEET POTATOES! 

And here's my controversial opinion: Sweet potato beats pumpkin ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. There, I said it! 

These Sweet Potato Cupcakes are super moist, perfectly spiced, and topped with the creamiest cinnamon cream cheese frosting. 

They taste similar to pumpkin cupcakes (so if you're a die-hard pumpkin lover, you can absolutely swap in pumpkin puree!), but here's why sweet potato wins:
✨ More starch = MORE moisture and density in the cupcake
✨ The flavor is 100x better (fight me on this!)
✨ That perfect balance between sweet and earthy

But what I'm MOST proud of is how the frosting and cake work together. You know how sometimes you get a cupcake with frosting that's way too sweet so you just eat the cake? Or killer frosting but blah cake so you only eat the frosting? NOT THIS CUPCAKE. 

The spiced cake needs a little sweetness to balance it out, and the tart cream cheese frosting is PERFECT. They're soulmates! 

Important tips:
-Don't undercook them or they'll sink in the center (but more frosting fixes everything!)
-Fill the liners 3/4 full—not all the way—to get exactly 12 cupcakes
-Use a 2M Wilton tip for that fancy frosting swirl (or just spread with a knife!)

Want the full recipe? 💌 Comment 'CUPCAKE' below and I'll send you the link!
Team Sweet Potato or Team Pumpkin? Let me know in the comments! 

#SweetPotatoCupcakes #CreamCheeseFrosting  #CupcakeRecipe

Copyright © 2026 Certified Pastry Aficionado · Web Design by Viva la Violet

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.