Crunching on things helps me think. And I've been thinking a lot lately. My brain is full of life thoughts, to-do lists and stuff...all resulting in me being spacier than normal.
My brain doesn't have space to remember where I put my car keys. There's other more important things to have room for!
But seriously, WHERE ARE MY KEYS?!
I have a million dollar idea for us. Don't worry it's not a weird pyramid scheme or anything.
Here it goes: I want to invent noise stickers and attach it to everything important. Like my sunglasses, wallet, credit card, car keys, laptop, etc., so every time something is missing, I'll be able to go to a console where I'll be able to page those things. Each item will have a different sound assigned to it so I'll know which buttons to press. .
This is genius, no?!
I'm pretty sure we can make billions off of this. 
Since we're technically inventors now, we'll be thinking a lot, hence our need for stuff to crunch on. That's where these cheez-its come in!
Homemade crackers are about the easiest thing ever to make. The dough comes together in five minutes--in a food processor, no less.
The tricky part comes with the rolling out the dough. You want it super thin. This dough is going to want to naturally puff up in the oven.
I wanted the cheez-its to be uniform so I broke out my measuring tape. Let's be cheez-it pros, guys.
I rolled it out and then cut it a 12 x 6 rectangle. And then using my measuring tape as a guide and using my ravioli cutter, I cut 1 x 1 inch squares.
1 ½ cups (about 6 ounces) grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
4 tablespoons (½ stick or 2 ounces) unsalted butter, softened and cut into 4 pieces
¾ cup flour, plus more for dusting
1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon half-and-half
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a food processor, combine the cheese, butter, flour, ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper in five 5-second pulses until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the half-and-half and process until the dough forms a ball, about 10 seconds.
On a lightly floured surface, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough roughly into a 13 by 7-inch rectangle that is 1/16-inch thick. With a pastry wheel, trim off the sides into a 12 by 6-inch rectangle. Next, cut the dough into 1 by 1-inch squares. Using the blunt end of a skewer make a hole in each cracker. Gently transfer the crackers (I needed to use a sharp knife to get them off the table) to a parchment lined baking sheet. The dough may sag or may break occasionally in the transfer, but don’t be concerned — just do your best. Sprinkle the remaining teaspoon of kosher salt all over the pre-baked crackers.
Bake the crackers on the middle rack for 15 minutes, or until the ends are barely browned. Remove from the oven and set the baking sheet on a rack to cool.
Serve at room temperature.
Dana says
Just made these today-- and let me tell you- they are AMAZING! As a family, we go through about 2 boxes of Cheez Its a week, but we don't like the aftertaste they leave in your mouth- or the amount of fat in them-- with this recipe, I know what I'm eating, there's no aftertaste, and they're better than the original! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe- love the addition of the black pepper!
Adrianna says
Yay! Love it!
Megan says
I actually tried making these today! They didn't turn out anywhere near as pretty as yours though. ... Probably because I didn't have a tape measure handy and had to kind of eyeball it. They turned out delicious though! Tasted even better than a real cheez-it. I'll have to make these again soon. 🙂 Thanks!
Adrianna says
Meh...pretty doesn't always equal delicious. But delicious always equals pretty. (In my book.) 🙂
emily says
These were delicious! although I must say, mine turned out very perpper-y & salt-y. But I still loved them. LOVE your blog. You've inspired me to cook/bake more! (which the boyfriend loves). Thanks!
Adrianna says
I love this!
gina says
these look delicious! & amazing pictures!
http://kimchicsisters.blogspot.com/2011/08/white-chocolate-covered-gummy-bears.html
Lisa @ The Cooking Bride says
These look so beautiful and so delicious!
Kate @ Kate from Scratch says
These look delicious! I love the cracked pepper addition. Fantastic.
chris@thekeenancookbook says
We are cheeze it fiends! I made some for new years eve but they didn't look anywhere as good as yours,so ill be trying your recipe soon.my mouth is literally watering.
Ps thanks for the tip on poking the hole to keep them from rising, I never knew
Aime says
I love the sound of these and your photos are (as always) so gorgeous.
I have a pastry wheel like yours, but I am tempted to use the teeny cat-shaped cookie cutter that I have...it just wouldn't make as much as squares and I don't want to waste a crumb!
Adrianna says
WHA?!?! Cat shaped cheez-its. I love it.
Stephanie says
Your cheez-its are so cute! I just want to pluck one off the screen and eat it!
Nastassia (Let Me Eat Cake) says
i love these they are so cute! how did you get them so perfectly shapped!
Nadette says
Oh how i need a food processor! Ever since I saw Smitten Kitchen make her own flatbreads, I've been itching to make my own crackers, and these crackers just upped the ante! I love anything with a healthy dose of black pepper andt hese look divine!
Donna M says
These look delicious and I cannot wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!!
NicoleD says
Your cheez-its are very impressive! I tried making homemade whole wheat cheese crackers and they were a terrible failure. These beauties make we want to give it another try.
Winnie says
These are so perfect I can't stand it! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe 🙂
hannah says
Hey girl, they already have something like that. It's called a keyfinder. Some are noise activated, while others have multiple finders you put on objects and they are controlled by a remote. When you push the color coded button (blue for keys, red for purse, etc etc) that object will make noise.
Adrianna says
Great. They stole my idea. 🙁