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Gruyere and Thyme Shortbread

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Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers are simple to make but taste simply delicious. Your guests will think they’re sweet cookies when you set them out before dinner but be surprised when they’re not.

Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers are simple to make but taste simply delicious. Your guests will think they’re sweet cookies when you set them out before dinner but be surprised when they’re not. #HerbWeek #shortbread #homemadecrackers #Gruyerecheese

So, I wanted to make savory shortbread but I wasn’t sure if they would still be cookies since they weren’t sweet. That’s why I opted for calling them shortbread crackers. They’re not exactly crackers, but they’re not exactly cookies. These shortbread crackers have the texture of cookies but the savory flavors of a cheese cracker.

What is Gruyère cheese?

It’s a hard Swiss cheese that is slightly sweet and slightly salty all in one bite. It’s from a particular region of Switzerland which is where it gets its name. But it’s not a Swiss like most people think because it doesn’t have the holes that Swiss cheese typically does. If it’s aged long enough it might, but don’t anticipate seeing that when you bust into this cheese.

Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers are simple to make but taste simply delicious. Your guests will think they’re sweet cookies when you set them out before dinner but be surprised when they’re not. #HerbWeek #shortbread #homemadecrackers #Gruyerecheese

Gruyere is one of my favorite cheeses because of its subtle but distinct flavor. If that makes sense. It’s slightly nutty and salty flavor combined with its creamy texture makes it perfect for baking. Like in these Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers. It usually goes into the mix of cheese when making macaroni and cheese. I’ve added it to quiche and it’s great in fondue.  It’s also in my Air Fryer Lobster Thermador sauce.

What is savory shortbread?

To me, that’s kind of a no brainer, but after reading some related recipes I’m starting to think it’s not. One would think that a savory shortbread dough doesn’t have any sugar in there. But, for some reason, some recipes called for sugar. Even if all the other ingredients were savory in nature. I didn’t understand that at all.

Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers are simple to make but taste simply delicious. Your guests will think they’re sweet cookies when you set them out before dinner but be surprised when they’re not. #HerbWeek #shortbread #homemadecrackers #Gruyerecheese

I mean, if you’re putting cheese and herbs in a shortbread, why would you need to add sugar? I would understand if there was fruit and cheese in there or a sweet herb, but there wasn’t. The dough itself doesn’t need sugar. It’s just flour and butter with a little salt. Basic. No sugar chemistry needed in a shortbread dough.

What’s in Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers?

The ingredients are so simple. There’s flour and butter, Gruyère cheese, fresh thyme, and a little nutmeg. Not even kidding. I wanted to flavor of the cheese and thyme to truly shine in these shortbread crackers. And that’s just what happens in these delicious rounds of cheesy goodness.

Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers are simple to make but taste simply delicious. Your guests will think they’re sweet cookies when you set them out before dinner but be surprised when they’re not. #HerbWeek #shortbread #homemadecrackers #Gruyerecheese

I bet you have ingredients to make these right now! Well, you might not have Gruyère, but you at least have some cheese. And some herbs. Well, unless you’re lactose intolerant you might not. Or if you have a cheese allergy. Then you might not have cheese. And I guess some might not have fresh herbs in the fridge. We almost always have at the very least rosemary and thyme. Sometimes there’s oregano in there, too.

How do you make Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers?

Can I just tell you that I made these shortbread crackers completely in the food processor? Not even kidding. The longest time in this recipe is waiting for the dough to chill. The dough whips up in minutes with the food processor. Then you wrap it and chill it. When it’s ready you cut it into slices and bake them. Simple as that!

Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers are simple to make but taste simply delicious. Your guests will think they’re sweet cookies when you set them out before dinner but be surprised when they’re not. #HerbWeek #shortbread #homemadecrackers #Gruyerecheese

I assembled the dough right before dinner and wrapped it in plastic. Then I popped the dough in the fridge to chill overnight. The next day before dinner, I sliced them up and baked them. I used the dental floss technique in slicing these. You can use a knife if you want, but the dental floss was fun to use.

I chose Gruyère and thyme in these shortbread crackers. But there’s so many combinations you can starting with the basic shortbread dough base in this recipe. I’m thinking cheddar and jalapeno or even cheddar and some chipotle peppers. Maybe blue cheese and rosemary. Or pepperjack and cilantro for those that like that herb. If you saw Wednesday’s post, you’ll know it’s not my cup of tea.

Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers are simple to make but taste simply delicious. Your guests will think they’re sweet cookies when you set them out before dinner but be surprised when they’re not. #HerbWeek #shortbread #homemadecrackers #Gruyerecheese

I sliced mine a little too think, I think. Or I needed to bake them longer. I’m going to make them again and slice them about 1/4 inch thick and bake them for the same amount of time as I have listed in the instructions. I do that. I make a recipe and then write the alterations I’m going to make the next time I make these. Like the butter content. The dough came together well, but it baked up a little dry. So, I’ve upped the butter content in the written recipe.

Some recipes I read called for an egg white wash to stick some of the herbs on top of the shortbread crackers. I’m thinking this is a good idea for sage or even some large rosemary leaves. Or the large oregano that I had for the Greek caprese salad. Oh! Maybe some oregano and parmesan shortbread crackers! That would be delicious.

Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers are simple to make but taste simply delicious. Your guests will think they’re sweet cookies when you set them out before dinner but be surprised when they’re not. #HerbWeek #shortbread #homemadecrackers #Gruyerecheese

But the thyme leaves I had did not lend themselves to being placed on top of these Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers. Maybe if some of the sprigs were baby sprigs with pretty leaves. That might work. I guess I could have just sprinkled some leaves on top after brushing them with egg white. Maybe that might work, too. I’ll have to try that, too.

What do Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers taste like?

They are oh so buttery and delicious. You can taste the Gruyere cheese and thyme mingle together. Then the hint of nutmeg is on the top of your tongue as one of those “what is that?” flavors I like to sneak into food. I almost toyed with adding a little bit of cayenne in there, too, but resisted the urge. Maybe next time I will sneak some in there and see how they turn out.

Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers are simple to make but taste simply delicious. Your guests will think they’re sweet cookies when you set them out before dinner but be surprised when they’re not. #HerbWeek #shortbread #homemadecrackers #Gruyerecheese

You can serve them alone or serve them with some cheese spread. That would be delicious. Double the cheese! Maybe even a salmon or ham spread. Pimento cheese. Or top then with some thinly sliced grilled chicken or steak. Or just eat them just as they are. Because they’re that delicious.

Just look at those layers of buttery, cheesy, and thyme-y goodness! I took them to work and nibble on them as a late morning snack. The cheese flavor was the perfect pick me up before lunch. I nibbled on some with some tuna salad for lunch. Yes, you guess it. I couldn’t help but nibble on them often. Because they are super delicious and perfectly buttery. The cheese and thyme flavor is perfect together and perfect in these shortbread crackers.

Signature

Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers are simple to make but taste simply delicious. Your guests will think they’re sweet cookies when you set them out before dinner but be surprised when they’re not. #HerbWeek #shortbread #homemadecrackers #Gruyerecheese

Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers

Cook Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Gruyère and Thyme Shortbread Crackers are simple to make but taste simply delicious. Your guests will think they’re sweet cookies when you set them out before dinner but be surprised when they’re not.

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups flour
  • 1 cup cubed butter
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teapsoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions

    1. Combine the flour and butter in the bowl of a food processor and processor until coarse crumbs form.
    2. Add the remaining ingredients and process until the dough forms a ball.
    3. Place the dough on your work surface and knead lightly to incorporate any remaining flour.
    4. Roll the dough into a log and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
    5. Preheat the oven to 340 F.
    6. Slice the shortbread crackers and place in a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
    7. Cool in the pan 5 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition Information

Yield

12

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 261Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 56mgSodium 247mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 6g

Did you make this recipe?

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Welcome to Herb Week where we let the herbs be the star of the recipe and not just a garnish. Mint, dill, sage, and cilantro are just a few of the herbs we are celebrating this week.

Friday’s Herb Week Recipes

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12 Comments

  1. Shortbread crackers are my favorite to have for teatime. I love the flavor combination of gruyere cheese and thyme in these cookies. Delicious!

  2. These are beautiful and this has been on my must try list for ages. Love that you use Gruyere–so flavorful!

  3. I love alpine cheeses. I am crazy about cave aged gruyere which I usually put into quiche. But I’d be willing to sacrifice some to the savory cookie gods. Especially with wine. And more cheese.

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