STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA TUNIS AND AMBER TURPIN

Not all holiday treats are sweet

Let’s pretend that none of us ever eats crackers for dinner. Yes, crackers are solely for company, and while they may not be the heart of the meal, they certainly can set the mood for a gathering, alongside some distinguished cheeses, dips and seasonal fruits.

Making your own crackers is one of those tricks that looks way more impressive than it is. And in this most festive of seasons, it takes just a few moments to whip up a batch or five, tailored to the dietary and ethical constraints of your guests. Gluten free? Vegan? No problem. Butter deficient? We have a cracker for that. Here’s a crunchy, crispy slice of what we’re baking up this season.

BAKING TIPS

Watch crackers carefully, even setting a timer to make sure you check often to prevent burning. The difference between almost done and overdone is slight. Rotating the baking sheets during cooking is highly recommended, especially if your oven heats unevenly.

Get fancy with your cutting! You can use special wheel cutters for decorative edges, or even cookie cutters for fun shapes.

Feel free to play around with flavor enhancements and combinations! The more you experiment, the more satisfying the end result will be. Matcha powder in the Almond Crackers was subtle and wonderful.

To make sure your guests who don’t eat gluten are taken care of, serve the gluten-free crackers on a separate plate or in a separate bowl. Making ingredient labels to serve with the crackers might be too fussy…or it might be just right, depending on your crowd.

RECIPES

Edible Monterey Bay

At Edible Monterey Bay, our mission is to celebrate the local food cultures of Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties, season by season.