Maple walnut crackers

Maple walnut crackers from The Cracker Book

Late last year, I was asked to review and test some recipes from a new book entitled The Cracker Book: Artisanal Crackers for Every Occasion.

I love self-explanatory titles, don't you?

Burford Books thought I might like to try out some of the cracker recipes from this new book by Maine author Lee E. Cart. I immediately agreed because Lee's book promises that "making your own crackers is surprisingly easy."

Now, you know about my penchant for recipes that are wicked good but also wicked easy. And easy is the key word for these cracker recipes: mix the ingredients together, roll out the dough and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.

That's it! You're practically a Keebler elf.

I love the idea behind this little book: starting with a basic foundation recipe, you can add a variety of ingredients to create interesting artisanal crackers. The book includes recipes for more than 50 different kinds, including the unique and delightful-sounding

• Bacon crackers
• Carrot and ginger crackers
• Cocoa and whole wheat crackers 
• Green tea and brown rice crackers
• Guacamole crackers
• Rosewater crackers
• Tequila and lime crackers

If you're not feeling so adventurous, you can also find recipes for standards such as graham crackers or soda crackers.

And did I mention that these are healthy recipes, as the crackers are baked and use very little oil? Perfect even for Detox January.

Lee also includes a gluten-free version of the basic recipe, plus is a small section on dips and spreads, so this book truly offers something for everyone.

I tested a couple of the recipes but our favorite was the one for maple walnut crackers. Made in a small size, they are the perfect snack, addition to a cheese plate or accompaniment to your Detox January mocktail.

photo courtesy of Burford Books

I plan to keep this little book in mind when I need a unique hostess gift.

Maple Walnut Crackers (from Lee E. Cart)

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons water

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour, salt and nuts. Add the oil, maple syrup and water and stir until combined and a dough forms. Roll out the dough to a very thin thickness (1/8-inch if possible) on a lightly floured surface. Using a cookie cutter, cut into shapes and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet; re-roll and re-cut until all the dough is used. Pierce each cracker with a fork 2-3 times and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden on the bottom.