Sweet Date & Olive Oil Wine Crackers
These delightful Sweet Date & Olive Oil Wine Crackers are the perfect accompaniment to a glass of your favorite wine, offering a unique blend of savory and sweet flavors. With the natural sweetness of chopped pitted dates complemented by the richness of extra virgin olive oil, these crackers transform any cheese platter or appetizer spread into a gourmet experience. Whether you're hosting a gathering or enjoying a quiet evening, these crackers are both sophisticated and simple to make. The dough is easily prepared in a food processor and chilled for convenience, making it a great option for entertaining. Plus, for those with dietary restrictions, you can swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour mix without sacrificing taste or texture.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
all-purpose flour
2 cups (divided (1 cup for processing with dates, 1 cup for mixing))
pitted dates
1 cup (chopped)
orange zest
1 teaspoon (freshly grated)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (fine sea salt)
fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
baking powder
1/4 teaspoon
extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (plus 1 egg for brushing)
eggs
3 (2 beaten for the mixture, 1 beaten for brushing)
Instructions
1
In a food processor, pulse together 1 cup of the flour and the chopped dates until the dates are very finely chopped, creating a coarse flour with sweet bits; transfer this mixture to a large mixing bowl.
2
In the same bowl, stir in the remaining 1 cup of flour, orange zest, salt, black pepper, and baking powder until evenly combined. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
3
Pour the extra virgin olive oil and 2 beaten eggs into the well. Mix until all ingredients are combined, then knead briefly in the bowl until a cohesive dough forms.
4
Shape the dough into a log about 9 inches long, then wrap it tightly in parchment paper. Squeeze tightly and twist the ends to secure it. Chill the wrapped log in the refrigerator until firm, about 2 to 3 hours.
5
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
6
Once chilled, remove the log from the refrigerator and trim off the ends. Slice the log into 24 even pieces.
7
Arrange the slices on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with the remaining beaten egg to achieve a golden finish.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the crackers are golden brown and crisp.
9
Allow the crackers to cool on a wire rack. Store them in an airtight container for up to three days.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sweet Date & Olive Oil Wine Crackers?
These are gourmet crackers that offer a unique blend of savory and sweet flavors, featuring chopped pitted dates and extra virgin olive oil.
Can I make these crackers gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour mix without sacrificing the taste or texture of the crackers.
How many crackers does this recipe yield?
The recipe produces 24 even cracker slices from a 9-inch dough log.
How should I prepare the dates for the dough?
You should pulse 1 cup of chopped pitted dates with 1 cup of flour in a food processor until they are very finely chopped and create a coarse flour.
What type of olive oil is best for this recipe?
Extra virgin olive oil is recommended to provide a rich flavor profile to the crackers.
How long does the dough need to chill?
The dough log should be wrapped in parchment paper and chilled in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours until it is firm.
What is the baking temperature for the crackers?
The crackers should be baked in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How do I achieve a golden finish on the crackers?
Brush the tops of the sliced dough with a beaten egg before placing them in the oven.
How long do the crackers need to bake?
Bake the crackers for 20 to 25 minutes or until they are golden brown and crisp.
How should I store the finished crackers?
Store the cooled crackers in an airtight container for up to three days.
What are the primary flavors in these crackers?
The flavors are a mix of sweetness from dates and orange zest, richness from olive oil, and a slight kick from black pepper.
What equipment is needed to make the dough?
A food processor is used to chop the dates into the flour, and a large mixing bowl is used to combine the remaining ingredients.
Is any leavening agent used in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
The recipe requires a total of 3 eggs: 2 for the dough mixture and 1 for the egg wash.
What should I serve these crackers with?
They are ideal for wine pairings, cheese platters, or as a sophisticated appetizer spread.
How do I shape the dough before chilling?
Shape the dough into a 9-inch log, wrap it tightly in parchment paper, and twist the ends to secure it.
What is the role of orange zest in this recipe?
One teaspoon of freshly grated orange zest is added to provide a bright, citrusy note that complements the sweet dates.
Do I need to knead the dough?
Yes, after mixing the wet and dry ingredients, you should knead the dough briefly in the bowl until it becomes cohesive.
How should I cool the crackers after baking?
The crackers should be removed from the baking sheet and allowed to cool completely on a wire rack.
Is there a specific type of salt recommended?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt.
What is the texture of the dough before chilling?
The dough should be cohesive and capable of being shaped into a solid log.
Are these crackers suitable for vegans?
While the recipe contains eggs, it is tagged as having a vegan option, which would require using an egg substitute.
Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Yes, because the dough requires 2 to 3 hours of chilling, it is a convenient recipe to start ahead of time.
How much black pepper is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper, or more to taste.
Should I trim the dough log?
Yes, once the log is chilled and removed from the paper, you should trim off the ends before slicing it into 24 pieces.
What kind of baking sheet should I use?
A large baking sheet lined with parchment paper is recommended for even baking and easy removal.
Why is the flour divided in the ingredients list?
One cup of flour is used to process the dates into a fine texture, while the other cup is mixed in later with the other dry ingredients.
Is this recipe considered difficult?
No, it is described as a simple recipe that results in a sophisticated gourmet cracker.
What is the best way to slice the dough log?
After chilling the log until it is firm, use a sharp knife to slice it into 24 even circular pieces.
Are these crackers crispy?
Yes, when baked correctly for 20 to 25 minutes, the crackers become golden brown and crisp.