Homemade Graham Crackers

Graham crackers are easy to make and delicious, though they do take a little time. They're great for snacking or making pie crusts, and can be dipped in chocolate or used in other recipes as well (like S'more Candy Bars - YUM).

Step 1: You'll Need. . .

Software:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup spelt flour (can be substituted for whole wheat or all purpose flour)
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold)
• 1/3 cup mild tasting honey (clover honey works well)
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• additional flour for rolling
• (optional) for topping: 3 tablespoons white sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Hardware:

• large mixing bowl and your hands (can use food processor)
• measuring cups and spoons
• plastic wrap
• rolling pin
• baking sheets lined with silicone baking mats or parchment paper
• a board scraper/pizza cutter/sharp knife (I like to use a board scraper that has a sharp edge and ruler along the side like this one)
• fork/toothpick/bamboo skewer
• ruler (optional)
• cookie cutters (optional)

Step 2: Measure and Mix

1. Add flour, spelt flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt to bowl and mix to combine well
2. Add butter and mix well using fingers (or pastry cutter or food processor). The mixture should resemble coarse meal
3. Combine milk, honey, and vanilla extract
4. Add to flour and butter mixture and mix with fingers (or food processor) until just combined
5. Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap and dust it with flour
6. Turn dough out onto the plastic wrap and form into a square approximately an inch thick
7. Dust the top of the dough with flour and wrap in the plastic
8. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours

Step 3: Rolling and Forming

1. Divide the dough in half and return half to the fridge
2. Dust the work surface and rolling pin with flour and roll the dough approximately 1/8 inch thick
3. Measure and cut your crackers to the desired shape and size with the board scraper/knife/pizza cutter. If you're making S'more Candy Bars you can measure the size of your mold and make a graham cracker slightly smaller than the mold so that it will fit perfectly. You can also use cookie cutters to cut fun shape, or you can press dough in a thin layer of a small spring form pan to make a crust for a mini-cheesecake
4. Place the crackers on baking sheets lined with parchment or silicone baking liners and dust with the cinnamon sugar topping (if using - I skipped this step for these)
5. Chill until firm (approximately 30-45 minutes in the fridge or 15-20 in the freezer)
6. Any scraps can be gathered together and re-rolled the same way
7. Repeat with second half of dough

Step 4: Finally Time to Bake

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Using a fork/skewer/toothpick, poke holes in the crackers (this is mostly decorative and can be skipped if desired)
3. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through baking. Baking time will depend on your oven, but the crackers should be slightly firm and browned when done
4. Allow to cool and enjoy as is or use in your favorite recipes!