Crackers are a kitchen staple because they are convenient, portable snacks that can be eaten alone or paired with spreads. If you choose a wheat variety, crackers can actually be a healthy snack as well. Purchasing wheat crackers from the store can be pricey, and most have plenty of preservatives in them. All you need to make wheat crackers is an oven and some basic ingredients.
Preparing Dough
Preparing cracker dough is not nearly as complicated as making bread or pastry dough. It is a simple combination of flour, salt, milk, honey and vegetable oil. To make wheat crackers as opposed to basic white crackers, choose whole wheat flour. Keep things healthy by selecting low-fat milk. Mix together 1 1/2 cups flour and 3/4 tsp. salt (dry ingredients) in one bowl, then mix 1/2 cup milk, 2 tbsp. honey and 1/3 cup vegetable oil (wet ingredients) in a separate bowl. If you try to immediately mix the dry ingredients together with the wet ingredients, the dough may be too dense. After you've thoroughly mixed the ingredients in each bowl, slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones. Use a spoon to gently stir the dough until the flour is just combined. The dough will be very soft, like a batter. Do not overmix the dough, or your crackers will be too heavy.
Shaping Crackers
To firm up the dough, you'll have to lightly knead it. Kneading is a process in which you use the heel of your palm to press into the dough until it stabilizes. Sprinkle flour across a flat surface before positioning the dough. Press into the dough with the heel of your hand, then flip the dough over and repeat. Continue kneading and flipping for about three minutes or until the dough is firm, yet still pliable. Cut the dough into three equal pieces, and use a rolling pin to flatten them (about 1/8-inch thick), then use a pizza or biscuit cutter to cut the dough into your preferred size for the crackers. Beat together one egg with about 1/2 cup water to make an egg wash, then brush it onto the crackers to give them a golden sheen after they bake. Sprinkle the tops lightly with salt.
Baking
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover three baking sheets with wax or parchment paper, then place the crackers onto the sheets, making sure they don't touch each other. For the best results, bake one sheet of crackers at a time so they bake evenly. Bake the crackers for eight minutes, then move the sheet to a different shelf and bake for another eight minutes before switching shelves again and baking another eight minutes. You'll bake the crackers for a total of 24 minutes or until they are golden brown. They should be hard and crunchy. To test for doneness, try to bend a cracker. If it's done, it should snap completely in half and not bend. Let the crackers cool until they are at room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Eat immediately or store for a week.
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