These savory Lemon-Walnut Cornmeal Shortbread Crackers were sort of a collaboration between myself and Lil' Foodie. I had been thinking about making lemon-walnut shortbreads for a couple days, but had a sweet cookie in mind. Last night, when I was about to go in the kitchen to bake, my daughter came running up to me with her tablet repeating "I want a cracker please". She is non-verbal, it was the software on the tablet she was using to tell me, and it was the old glitchy program we are switching from, which seems to have it's volume stuck on high. I assured her that mom would make her some crackers, then promptly switched the tablet to her photo gallery, as having it scream at me was rather disconcerting. Then it dawned on me.. Why not kill two birds with one stone? I decided to make a savory cracker version of what I'd had in mind. My usually fussy daughter is pretty flexible when it comes to crackers.
The crackers are a bit delicate and have a pleasant "buttery sandy" feel on the tongue. Lil' Foodie ate a few but did make a bit of a mess, so I wouldn't really suggest these as a kid cracker. They would make a great cocktail party snack though.
Ingredients
- ¼ pound butter (one stick) softened
- ⅓ cup walnuts finely chopped
- 1 tbs lemon zest
- 1 tbs lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 cup corn flour
- 1 cup corn meal
- coarse salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375
- Mix all ingredients except the coarse salt. Dough will be crumbly.
- Roll up golf ball sized chunks of dough into balls.
- Place each between two sheets of parchment paper (cut into 6-8" squares, to avoid waste), and roll out to about ¼-1/3 inch thick.
- Use pastry cutter or pizza wheel to cut into small crackers, then while still on parchment place into baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-16 minutes, until edges are starting to brown.
- Remove, leaving on parchment to cool. Due to delicacy of cracker leave on parchment until plating to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Mellisa says
This would be a really great nontraditional side at Thanksgiving.
Colleen says
Wow I've never tried to make crackers, sounds like an interesting combination.
Kathleen says
I love sweet shortbreads, but have never had a savory one, I can only imagine it would taste just as amazing though.
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
These would make a great alternative to have the kids leave Santa instead of cookies.
Leilani says
You know I have never tried shortbread before?
Lolo says
Those shortbread crackers look really good! I bet the lemon tastes amazing!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
What an interesting combination! I bet this taste really good!
Tiff @ Babes and Kids says
I like that these have a buttery sandy feel, I love sandies. I bet the lemon walnut flavoring is yummy.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I like they are relatively easy to make. These sound delicious!
April Decheine says
Oh wow my husband would love these, I love cornbread!
Donna says
I've never made shortbread before, do you typically use cornmeal in shortbread? Everything about this sounds so delicious!
Robin Gagnon says
No, shortbread is not typically made with corn.
Jenn says
Having never melded lemon and walnut I'm intrigued! Pinning to try.
Liz says
I like the idea of using this for an appetizer and I like the wafery cracker-iness of them. 🙂
Anne says
I love anything lemon!! Yumm
Paula @ Frosted Fingers says
They sound interesting. I would give them a try.
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
I'm not a big fan of walnuts but those pieces look small enough that I could handle that 😉
Lucero @We Are Earthformed says
Crackers are one thing my daughter misses most. Buying gluten free ones isn't always cost effective. Thanks for sharing this interesting recipe.