These cookies are just as tasty eaten plain as they are in any of the variations in this chapter. Steps 6 through 12 of this recipe outline how to bake them on their own for a snack. If you are using the dough for another recipe in this chapter, stop at step 5.
Ingredients
For the coating (if you are them on their own)
Preparation
Step 1
Put the all-purpose flour, wheat flour, wheat germ, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl and gently whisk until all the ingredients are incorporated and there are no visible lumps.
Step 2
Beat the butter in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment at high speed until it is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Step 3
Add the brown sugar, crumbling it with your hands as you add it to remove any lumps, and mix on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the honey and mix until combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl using a rubber spatula halfway through mixing to ensure that the ingredients are combined.
Step 4
Add approximately half the flour mixture and mix on low speed just until the flour is incorporated, about 30 seconds. Repeat with the remaining flour. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure the flour is fully incorporated.
Step 5
Empty the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently push it together. Form it into a flat disk 1 to 2 inches thick. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 days.
Step 6
Once the dough has chilled, it can be rolled and used as directed (see Rolling Dough, page 10), or frozen in sheets (wrapped tightly with plastic wrap on a sheet pan or piece of cardboard) until needed or for up to 2 months.
Step 7
If baking immediately, preheat the oven to 350˚F. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper or spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 8
Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper or on a lightly floured flat surface. Lightly flour the top of the disk and begin rolling the dough. Lift and rotate the dough between each roll to prevent it from sticking. Repeat the process until the dough is between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick.
Step 9
Using a paring knife, cut the dough into 2-inch squares and place them about 1/2 inch apart on the prepared pans.
Step 10
To coat, combine the granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and toss lightly with a fork. Sprinkle the dough with the sugar mixture.
Step 11
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, rotating the pans once halfway through, until the cookies are a dark golden brown color. Remove the cookies from the oven, let them cool slightly on the pans, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
Step 12
Serve the cooled cookies immediately, or keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Polish your look
Step 13
These graham crackers also taste great when coated in dark chocolate. Simply bake them without sugar and cinnamon on top, then follow the directions to dip the cookies from Chocolate Mint Cookies (page 63) or Dipping in Chocolate (page 17).
