Mmmm...graham crackers, the real deal

 

Kids love graham crackers.  However, this mama does not love natural flavor, TBHQ, high fructose corn syrup, or GMO soy (esp when there's no need to have soy in the product to begin with).  So taking matters into my own hands, I created my own graham cracker recipes.  I looked at several online, but didn't have all the ingredients (or didn't like the ingredient list) for any single one....therefore, I made my own!

They turned out wonderfully!  Next time I will add less sugar and more honey.  I'd love to truly be able to taste the honey and I'm always looking for a way to cut out as much refined sugar as possible.  You can also substitute milk for the half and half.  As concerned as we are about certain foods we eat, naturally occurring fats is not one of our concerns.  I tend to have no problem reaching for the "real deal" when it comes to animal fats (whole milk, cream, butter, etc).  So, alter the recipe to your liking and enjoy!


Graham Crackers

2 cps whole wheat flour
1/4 cp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1/2 cp butter, cold
4 tbsp honey
2-3 tbsp half and half
additional half and half for glaze
optional: cinnamon sugar

In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and baking powder.  Cut in butter, using a pastry blender, until pieces are smaller than pea size. 

In a small bowl, beat egg until light and frothy.  Add honey and half and half.  Mix well to combine.

Pour onto other ingredients in medium bowl and stir until a stiff dough forms.  Mix with hands if needed to combine well.  Cover and refrigerate for one hour.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  On a lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough to 1/16 inch thickness.  Cut into 3 inch squares or desired size/shape - have fun and use cookie cutters! 

Place on ungreased non-stick cookie sheet.  Brush with half and half and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, if desired.

Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Let cool and enjoy!



I was hoping for a fire-pit kind of night, complete with s'mores.  Unfortunately the weather wouldn't cooperate and I had to settle for oven toasted s'mores - bake at 350 until desired meltedness (is that a word?).  And yes, I am aware that I went out of my way to make graham crackers, only to them top them with chocolate and marshmallows made with all kinds of unspeakable ingredients.  Oh well, homemade marshmallows are a b*&#! to make, as I learned one Christmas season (yet I know I will give them a "go" again at some point), and I can give these graham crackers plain to the kids without the added toppings.  Bottom line, judge away, but remember I'm taking life one step at a time over here.