Homemade Grahams

I got a bug the other day to make homemade graham crackers.  So, I turned to a recipe I’ve made couple times before.  However, I felt like mixing things up a little bit.  Now, these grahams can be either soft, chewy, graham-flavored cookies, or, when you roll the dough a little thinner, they can be crunchy graham crackers.  As I was looking through my cupboard and came across a set of miniature Noah’s Ark cookie cutters, I thought I would try my hand at making my own animal-shaped grahams.  And they were an absolute hit with my 2 1/2 year old!

I always feel better about what my family is eating when it’s homemade.  I know exactly what is in the recipe, so I know just how much sugar my rambunctious son is consuming!  My son happens to love those little teddy bear-shaped graham snacks you can buy at the store.  Ever since I made little grahams like these, though, I would argue he likes these even better!

Begin by mixing together the flours, sugar, powder, soda, and salt.

Then, cut in the butter with a pastry blender.  It’s one of those tools you should just have on hand.

After the butter is all cut in, the mixture will resemble coarse crumbs.  Then, it’s time to mix in the remaining ingredients and stir until it comes together in a ball.

Chill the dough before you want to roll it out.  If you want to make chewier graham-flavored cookies, roll the dough out a little bit thicker.  Otherwise, you should roll it out to be about 1/8″ thick.

Use a pizza cutter and a fork to make traditional graham crackers.

However, if you’re feeling ambitious, grab a few miniature cookie cutters and make your own animal graham crackers!  They are such fun little bite-sized treats!  And as mentioned before, you know exactly what is in these treats.  Nothing unpronounceable here!

Bake until the edges turn a little bit brown.  Then, let the cookies cool before you move them.  This helps make them nice and crunchy, like a store-bought graham cracker.  I have always baked them on silicone baking mats, but you could use parchment paper too.  I have never tried using a greased baking sheet, so if you try that, please comment as to how it turned out!

If there happen to be any left, keep them in an airtight container.

Homemade Grahams
Adapted from Retro Desserts as mentioned on Food Network

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into cubes
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons molasses
1/4 cup cold water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix together flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.  Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Add honey, molasses, water, and vanilla.  Stir until mixture comes together in a ball.  Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Roll out dough between parchment or waxed paper, until about 1/8″ thick.  Cut into desired shapes.  If making traditional graham crackers, prick with a fork or a toothpick.  Bake on parchment or silicone lined baking sheets at 350 degrees F for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on size and shape.  Cookies will be lightly browned on edges.  Allow to cool on baking sheet.  Store in an airtight container.

Makes 3 to 4 dozen.