Star-shaped crackers with nuts and pumpkin seeds
When I wanted to make something different from the classic savory snacks, I started with a recipe I saw from Claudia and adapted it based on what I had in the fridge. I ended up with star-shaped savory snacks, made with goat cheese, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds. I've made them several times, especially when I had guests or felt like munching on something salty. Quick Info Total time: 1 hour (including kneading and baking) Preparation time: 20-25 minutes Baking time: about 15 minutes per batch Servings: 2 large trays, approximately 60-70 small pieces Difficulty: easy to medium (kneading and cutting) Recipe type: savory snack, for parties or snacking Ingredients 150 g butter or margarine 2 heaping tablespoons of homemade lard 2 eggs 1 teaspoon salt 250 g hard goat cheese (or another salty cheese) 2-3 tablespoons sour cream 500 g flour For brushing and decorating: 2 egg yolks 2 tablespoons milk walnut halves pumpkin seeds Preparation method 1. Take the butter out of the fridge to soften. Place the butter, lard, eggs, and salt in a large bowl. 2. Grate the goat cheese using a fine grater. If it's too hard, you can crumble it by hand. 3. Add the grated cheese and sour cream to the butter and egg mixture. 4. If you have a stand mixer, attach the dough hook. Add all the above ingredients and half of the flour. Start mixing on low speed to avoid flour splattering. Let it knead for 5 minutes. 5. Gradually add the remaining flour in two batches and let the mixer knead at medium speed for another 5-10 minutes, until the dough no longer sticks to the sides. If kneading by hand, add flour gradually and work with your palms until a homogeneous, firm dough forms. 6. Transfer the dough to a floured surface. Take a piece and roll it out to about 0.5-0.7 cm thickness. 7. Cut out star shapes or any other shapes you prefer. 8. Place the snacks on a large tray lined with baking paper. 9. Mix the egg yolks with the milk. Brush each star with the mixture. 10. Place half a walnut or a pumpkin seed in the center of each piece. 11. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 15 minutes, until golden brown on top. Check them after 12-13 minutes, as baking times may vary depending on the oven. 12. Remove them to a wire rack or paper to cool. Continue with the remaining dough. Why I make this recipe often I love it because it's easy to make and I can use up any leftover drier cheeses from the fridge. They taste great warm, but also the next day. They keep well and can be made in advance for events. The cheese flavor is just right, and the walnuts add a nice crunchy texture. Tips and Variations Tips If using a mixer, put on the protective cover or cover the bowl at the beginning to avoid flour mess. After the first tray, taste the snacks and adjust the salt if needed—some cheeses are saltier than others. The dough can be chilled for 15-30 minutes, but it's not mandatory. Substitutions You can use other types of aged cheese (telemea, hard cheese, mix). Lard can be replaced with additional butter, but the texture will be less crumbly. For decoration, sunflower seeds, caraway seeds, or sesame seeds also work. Variations Instead of stars, they can be cut into sticks or any shape you desire. You can top them with just walnuts, just seeds, or a mix of both. Serving Ideas I serve them on a platter at parties or alongside a glass of beer. They are also great for lunchboxes or long trips. They hold up well cold without getting soggy too quickly. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Can I use only butter, without lard? Yes, but the dough will be less crumbly. Lard gives that specific crumbly texture to the snacks. 2. What should I do if the dough is too soft or too hard? If it's too soft, add a bit more flour at the end. If it's too hard, add a tablespoon of sour cream. 3. How long do the snacks last? They keep well for 3-4 days in a sealed container at room temperature. 4. Can I use a different type of cheese, not goat? Yes, you can use any hard cheese that is not too moist and not sweet. 5. Can they be frozen before or after baking? The raw dough can be frozen; let it thaw in the fridge, then roll out and bake. Baked snacks do not have the same texture after freezing. Nutritional Values Approximately, for one snack (from a batch of 70 pieces): Calories: about 45-50 kcal Protein: 1.2 g Fat: 3.2 g Carbohydrates: 3.5 g These values are approximate and may vary depending on the cheese used and the size of the snacks. Storage and Reheating I keep them at room temperature in a container with a lid or a jar. They remain fresh for 3-4 days. I do not recommend reheating in the oven, as they can dry out too much. If they have been stored longer, they can be placed in the oven for 2-3 minutes, but there is a risk they may harden. They do not store well in the fridge, as they become soggy.
Preparation
We mix the butter, eggs, lard, and salt in a bowl. Separately, we grate the cheese using a fine grater. To make my work easier, and because I liked how the planetary mixer works, I used it this time for kneading the dough. I used the hook attachment, added all the ingredients to the mixer bowl, half the amount of flour, and turned the mixer on low speed for 5 minutes. I added the rest of the flour and let the mixer knead for another 5-10 minutes until the dough pulled away from the sides of the bowl. I rolled out a piece of dough, cut out stars, placed them on a large baking tray lined with parchment paper, brushed them with an egg yolk mixed with milk, and put half a walnut or pumpkin seed in the center of each star. I baked them in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 15 minutes until they became golden on the surface. Enjoy your meal!!! Use the planetary mixer's protective attachment to avoid making a flour mess in the kitchen. After the first batch of snacks, taste them and add more salt if necessary.
Tags
Categories
Appetizers
Beverages
Celebrity chefs
Chef in the city
Children
Coffee
Conserve
Cook and smile
Culinary Games
Culinary School
Dessert
Diverse
Doughs and pastries
Drinks
Fish
Healthy Delights
International
Jakob Hausmann
Jam
Jamie Oliver
Meat
Miscellaneous
Over
Pasta/Pizza
Pickles
Plague
Salad
Sandwiches
Sauces
Savory
Season
Sezon
Slow cooking
Soups
Star Recipe
Syrup
Translated
Various
Vegan
