Homemade Whole Wheat Graham Crackers Recipe
This homemade Graham Cracker recipe offers a wholesome and flavorful twist on the classic treat, made with whole-wheat and all-purpose flours, naturally sweetened with honey and brown sugar, and infused with warm cinnamon and vanilla. Crispy, lightly spiced, and perfect for snacking, baking, or making s’mores, these crackers are easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: About 20 to 24 graham crackers 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1⅓ cups whole-wheat flour (165g)
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour (80g)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (55g)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons whole milk (divided, plus 1 to 3 teaspoons optional for dough consistency)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, salt, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and baking powder until evenly mixed.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, honey, and vanilla extract. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat on medium-high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is creamy, lightened in color, and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing.
- Mix in Flour Mixture: Add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients in two batches, mixing on medium-low speed between additions. The dough might appear crumbly after the final addition. If so, knead it gently with your hands inside the bowl 5 to 6 times until the dough forms a cohesive ball. Add 1 to 3 teaspoons of milk if the dough is too dry, and continue mixing or kneading to bring it together.
- Chill the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Press it into a smooth, square shape about ½-inch thick. Wrap tightly with the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to firm up and develop flavor.
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 300°F (150°C). If the dough was refrigerated overnight, allow it to rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes so it softens slightly but remains cool before rolling.
- Roll the Dough: Lightly flour a large sheet (12×16 inches) of parchment paper. Place the dough in the center, sprinkle lightly with flour, and cover with another sheet of parchment paper. Roll the dough using a rolling pin between the parchment sheets until it is between 1/16 and 1/8 inch thick. If the dough cracks while rolling, let it warm up for 5 minutes before continuing. Remove the top parchment sheet once rolled.
- Cut and Prepare Crackers: Trim the edges of the dough into a clean square shape using a pizza cutter or knife with a ruler. Cut the dough into rectangles about 2×3 inches in size, leaving the crackers touching side by side. Transfer the parchment paper with the dough to a half-sheet baking tray. Brush a light coating of milk over the cracker surfaces, taking care not to brush over the cut edges. Dock each cracker by poking 3 to 4 holes with a fork to prevent bubbling during baking.
- Bake and Cool: Bake the crackers for 25 to 30 minutes, turning the pan halfway through for even browning. Bake until the crackers are medium-dark brown and crisp. Let them cool on the pan for about 5 minutes, then break them apart along the cut lines and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Keep the dough chilled but slightly pliable before rolling to prevent cracks.
- The thickness of the dough affects the crispiness; thinner crackers will be crisper.
- Adjust sweetness by using more or less honey or sugar based on preference.
- Store baked graham crackers in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute flours accordingly and adjust liquids as needed.
Keywords: graham crackers, homemade crackers, whole wheat graham crackers, cinnamon crackers, baking snack, sweet crackers, homemade desserts
