Buttermilk Crackers
6.25 oz. all purpose flour (1.25 C.)
1/4 tsp. salt
1.5 tsp. sugar
5 tsp. butter, cubed
1/2 C.+2 tsp. whole buttermilk
1 egg, beaten
sesame seeds, optional, for garnish
salt and pepper for sprinkling
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Whisk to combine the flour, salt and sugar. Add the butter and work with your fingertips until you get coarse crumbs (break it down more than you would a biscuit). Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Stir with a spatula to distribute the liquid, and once the dough starts to come together and there is no liquid dripping anywhere, stop mixing (and be conscious of not overmixing*). Lay a sheet of plastic wrap onto your counter and sprinkle with flour. Scrape the dough out onto it, then sprinkle more flour on top. Press it out into a flat disk and chill for at least 1 hour until it’s firm. Roll the dough out onto a piece of parchment paper fitted to a sheet pan (this way you can transfer it easily to the sheet pan later). You should make the dough as thin as possible and it should be rolled to cover all available space. Prick all over with a fork, brush with the egg wash, then sprinkle with salt and pepper, and any other garnishes you would like. Bake for about 35-40 minutes until golden brown. If you want them to be extra crispy, you can break them into shards and keep baking. Cool completely on a wire rack (and keep in mind that they crisp more as they cool). Enjoy!