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Easy Derby Pimento Cheese Crackers Recipe with Bourbon Pecan Clusters

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A simple and delicious snack featuring flaky homemade pimento cheese crackers paired with sweet, boozy bourbon pecan clusters. Perfect for casual gatherings or late-night nibbling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (115g)
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded (120g)
  • 2 tablespoons pimento peppers, diced
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (60ml)
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3–4 tablespoons cold water
  • 2 cups raw pecan halves (200g)
  • 1/4 cup bourbon whiskey (60ml)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (100g)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Make the cracker dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Using a food processor or pastry cutter, cut in the cold cubed unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (pea-sized bits), about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add cheese and pimentos: Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar and diced pimento peppers evenly throughout the dough.
  3. Mix wet ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and black pepper. Slowly add this to the flour mixture, stirring gently with a fork.
  4. Bring dough together: Add cold water one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough clumps and holds together (about 3-4 tablespoons). Avoid overworking. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  5. Roll and cut crackers: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface or silicone mat, roll out chilled dough to about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thickness. Cut into 1.5-inch (4 cm) squares or circles. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing about 1/2 inch apart.
  6. Bake crackers: Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden and crisp, rotating pan halfway through. Watch closely near end to avoid burning.
  7. Prepare bourbon pecan clusters while crackers bake: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar together, stirring until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles gently (3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in bourbon, vanilla extract, and salt carefully. Toss in pecans to coat evenly.
  8. Form clusters: Spoon pecans by small clusters onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let cool and harden at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  9. Cool and serve: Once crackers are cool, arrange on a platter with bourbon pecan clusters alongside. Store crackers in airtight container up to 3 days; pecan clusters best fresh.

Notes

Keep butter cold for flaky crackers. Chill dough before rolling to prevent shrinking. Roll dough to uniform 1/8 inch thickness for crispness. Add bourbon off heat to prevent flare-ups. Pecan clusters can be baked at 300°F for 10-12 minutes before glazing for extra crunch. Store crackers airtight at room temperature; refrigerate pecan clusters if warm kitchen. Reheat crackers at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to refresh crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: pimento cheese crackers, bourbon pecan clusters, Southern snack, homemade crackers, bourbon glaze, easy appetizer, Derby Day snack

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/easy-derby-pimento-cheese-crackers-recipe-with-bourbon-pecan-clusters-guide/