Great Graham Crackers
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups (225 grams) graham flour
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon (55 grams) oat flour
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar, plus 3 to 4 teaspoons for sprinkling
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 6 tablespoons (85 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons (65 grams) honey
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 sheets of parchment cut to fit the baking sheet
- 2 large sheet pans (about 12 x 16 inches)
- Food processor
Method
- In a food processor fitted
with the steel blade, combine the graham and oat flours, ¼ cup sugar,
salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Pulse to mix thoroughly. Sprinkle
the butter cubes over the flour mixture. Pulse until the mixture
resembles cornmeal. In a small cup, stir the milk, honey, and vanilla
together until the honey is dissolved. Drizzle the honey mixture into
the bowl. Process just until the mixture gathers into a single mass.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each piece into a 6 or 7-inch
flat square patty. Wrap and refrigerate it until they are very firm but
supple enough to roll out, 20-30 minutes. Or keep them refrigerated up
to two days; let soften slightly at room temperature before rolling.
- Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat
the oven to 350 degrees. Roll one patty between the sheets of parchment
paper until it is 1/8 inch thick (about 8 by 12 inches) and as even as
possible from the center to the edges. (Try to avoid a thick center with
thinner edges). Flip the paper and dough over once or twice to check
for deep wrinkles; if necessary, peel the parchment and smooth it over
the dough before continuing. Peel the top sheet of parchment off. Prick
the dough all over with a fork. Sprinkle the dough evenly with 1 to 2
teaspoons of sugar. Repeat with the second patty.
- Slide one sheet of dough, with the bottom layer of parchment, onto
each cookie sheet. With a sharp knife, even up the edges of the dough
and score it into squares, diamonds, or rectangles. Leave edge scraps in
place (good for nibbling and to protect the rest of the grahams from
burnt edges).
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the grahams are golden brown with
deep brown edges. Rotate the pans from upper to lower and front to back a
little over halfway through the baking time to ensure even baking. Set
the pans on racks to cool. Break the grahams along the score lines. Cool
the grahams completely before storing. Grahams keep in and airtight
container for at least 3 weeks.
- Troubleshooting: Grahams crisp
up after they are completely cool unless they are under baked. If your
grahams are not thoroughly crunchy when cool (especially any in the
center that might be a little thicker), return them (on a parchment
lined baking sheet) to a preheated 325-degree oven for about 15 minutes.
Let cool and check for crunch.