Three-Seed Crackers (Raincoast Crisps Copycat Recipe)

Early last year my aunt Marcy (from Vermont with the dogs and the spit), became obsessed with making homemade crackers in the fashion of Raincoast Crisps. Exhaustive online research coupled with extensive kitchen experimentation culminated in a recipe she deemed worthy of disseminating to the family. Before long, the crackers began appearing on cheese boards across the country: at my mother’s house in CT, at my in-laws just a few blocks away, at my sister’s down state.

These crackers are as delicious as pretty, and though the thought of making crackers from scratch may feel like too much trouble—what’s wrong with store-bought?!—I’m here to tell you, they are worth the effort. First off, they’re easy: you mix the batter in one bowl. Second, you can take liberties with the suggested ingredients: I used whole flax seed because I didn’t have ground. I used sliced almonds in place of whole. I didn’t toast the pumpkin seeds. I imagine pistachios and craisins and millet and countless other combinations of dried fruit, seeds, and nuts would work beautifully. Third, one recipe yields 240—TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY—crackers.

These crackers are baked twice, like biscotti, and after their first bake, they have to chill for three hours in the freezer. Again, this may feel like a pain, but it turns out to be a boon: you can stash the mini loaves in the freezer for months, and bake the crackers as needed. If I were really on my game from here on out, I would always have a supply of these loaves tucked away in the freezer ready to be sliced and baked at a moment’s notice for an impromptu get together or to bring as a gift to a host.

Real talk: had I never tasted these crackers, I likely would have little interest in making them—I’ve never thought twice about buying crackers. But having seen how pretty these crackers look on a board, having tasted how delicious they are with countless cheeses, having observed other people’s reactions to them, I couldn’t not give them a go. These crackers steal the show, elevating a cheese board from hum-ho to unforgettable. If you’re up for a little weekend project, I can assure you this one will not disappoint.

Here’s how to make them: Gather your ingredients:

Stir together flour, salt, and baking soda:

Add the dried fruit, nuts, and seeds:

Toss to combine:

Add the buttermilk, maple syrup, and brown sugar:

Mix:

Fill mini loaf pans with batter:

Bake loaves for 25 minutes:

Cool completely, then freeze for at least 3 hours—freezing allows you to slice the crackers thinly:

Cut the loaves as thinly as possible:

You should get about 30 slices per loaf:

Bake until …

golden and crisp.

Break out some cheeses; here’s a selection of cheeses, kindly sent to me by Cypress Grove: Purple Haze, Lamb Chopper, Midnight Moon, and Humboldt Fog. Humboldt Fog, one of my favorites, can be found fairly easily; the others may take some searching. Lamb Chopper is another longtime favorite.

Arrange cheeses on a board with fruit, jam, quince paste (homemade or otherwise), and candied pepitas. Invite over the neighborhood. Have a great weekend!

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