My kid doesn’t like cheese.  While this is in some ways a relief — I was dreading what seems to be the inevitable toddler mac-and-cheese habit, mostly because I would share it and lack his metabolism — it is in other ways disconcerting, as in, could this really be our child?  Someone who doesn’t like cheese or sleeping late? 

But lo and behold, recently we were at the park and a kid was eating goldfish crackers and shared some with Jacob, who proceeded to go nuts for them.  We decided not to tell him there was (a nominal amount of) cheese in there, in the same way that we don’t tell him what’s schmeared on his beloved whole wheat bagel or stuffed in those blintzes he enjoys.  I mean, he’s going to eventually think we’re killjoys either way, no need to rush his disdain.  And look, I know I’ve made Pop-Tarts.  And Oreos.  Graham crackers, marshmallows and even the wafers that you use to make icebox cakes.  I know I do crazy things and then I have the nerve to call them a good time.  But I understood at the very pit of my gut that I should not indulge the urge to make goldfish crackers at home, that ordering a cookie cutter for the sole purpose of satisfying this curiosity was taking things one step too far and that someone needed to stop me.  But nobody did.  Had they, however, I had my rationale all prepared anyway, which was that I wasn’t going off the deep end, I had already been there as a little over a year ago, I discovered cheese straws and proceeded to have my mind blown by their uncanny flavor resemblance to Cheez-Its and other so-called cheese crackers.  Basically, I already knew how to make them, it was just a matter of when.  Turns out it only took one dreary day, two pudgy forearms and a very loud block of orange cheddar to make it happen. 

One year ago: St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake and Warm Mushroom Salad with Hazelnuts

Two years ago: Steak Sandwiches and Crispy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Three years ago: Big Crumb Coffee Cake and Alex’s Chicken and Mushroom Marsala

Whole Wheat Goldfish Crackers

Adapted in ways they probably hadn’t planned from The Lee Bros.

I swapped most (but not all, because I copped out) of the all-purpose flour in the original recipe for whole wheat flour, suspecting that we wouldn’t miss a thing and indeed, we did not.  Should you make these with a full amount whole wheat flour (or any other mix of flours), please let us know how it went in the comments as I’m sure many will be curious. 

I’d intended to make the eyes with a wooden skewer but couldn’t find one and used a drill bit instead (hi, honey!).  Go ahead and press right through the cracker with the point; the “docking” will keep the cracker from puffing too much.  I used the end of a grapefruit knife (the only thing I could think of that ended in a curve) to make the mouth. 

I spied onion powder on the ingredient list of the original crackers and included it because onions and cheddar are a fantastic combination.  You’ll barely taste it, so if you wish get more of a hint of onion, use 1/4 teaspoon instead. 

Finally, the higher amount will give you a familiar level of saltiness, i.e. almost as salty as the original cracker.  Understandably, many will probably prefer the smaller amount. 

Yield: About 100 1 1/4 inch goldfish

6 ounces (1 1/2 cups coarsely grated) sharp cheddar, orange if you can find one you like

4 tablespoons (2 ounces or 57 grams) butter

1/2 cup (2 1/2 ounces or 62 grams) whole wheat flour

1/4 cup (1 1/8 ounces or 31 grams) all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon table salt

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Combine all ingredients in a food processor, running the machine until the dough forms a ball, about two minutes. 

If the dough feels warm or worrisome-ly soft, wrap it in waxed paper or plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for 30 to 45 minutes.  This also makes it easier to transfer shapes once they are rolled out. 

On a lightly floured surface, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out 1/8-inch thick.  Form shapes with a cookie cutter, dipping it in flour from time to time to ensure a clean cut.  Gently transfer crackers to an ungreased (though mine were parchment-lined, because they are in despicable shape) cookie sheet with a 1/2 inch between them.  Bake the crackers on the middle rack for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are barely browned at the edges.  Remove from the oven and set the cookie sheet on a rack to cool. 

Tiny Goldfish Cookie Cutter: I bought mine here.  Here’s a newer one a reader brought to my attention that I’d definitely buy next time. 

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