Best Cheesy Ladybug Topped Crackers Recipes

LADYBUG APPETIZERS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Remove 2 tablespoons to a small bowl and tint black. Place tinted cream cheese mixture in a small plastic bag; set aside. , Add the chives, garlic salt and parsley to the remaining cream cheese mixture. Spread over crackers. Arrange two tomato quarters on each for the ladybug wings. , For heads, halve the olives widthwise; place one half on each cracker. Insert two chives into olives for antennae. Use tinted cream cheese mixture to pipe spots onto wings.

CRACKER LADYBUG

Steps:

• Spread each of 2 crackers with 1 tsp. of the cream cheese spread. Cut remaining crackers in half.
• Insert cut-sides of cracker halves, at a slight angle, into cream cheese spread to form the "ladybugs' wings."
• Place small drops of jelly on wings for the "ladybugs' spots." Add licorice for the "antennae."

CHEF JOHN'S CHEESY CRACKERS

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly grease with vegetable oil.
• Place butter into a mixing bowl; add Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix together with the back of a spatula until thoroughly combined.
• Mix flour into cheese mixture with a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle in cold water, 1 or 2 drops at a time, and mix with spatula until it comes together in a dough that holds its shape when squeezed.
• Transfer dough to a work surface and press into a thick, flattened disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Roll dough out on a floured work surface to about 1/8-inch thick. Use a pizza cutter to cut 1-inch wide strips from the dough. Cut strips crosswise into rectangles about 1 1/2-inches long. Use the back of a bamboo skewer to punch 5 small holes into each cracker. Arrange crackers onto prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until crackers are browned and crisp, about 15 minutes. Let stand about 3 minutes for crackers to cool and release from the foil. Let cool completely before serving.

GIANT CHEESE-STUFFED CRACKER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until combined. Add 8 tablespoons of butter and oil and pulse until fine crumbs form. Add 1/2 cup cold water and pulse until the dough comes together.
• Dust a piece of parchment with flour. Turn the dough out onto the parchment and roll into an 1/8-inch-thick round. Use the top of a 9-inch fluted tart pan to stamp out a circle. Transfer the parchment and circle to a baking sheet. Dust another piece of parchment with flour, gather the dough scraps, roll and stamp out as before. Transfer the parchment and dough to another baking sheet.
• Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small microwave-safe dish and microwave in 30 second intervals. Brush each piece of dough with butter. Use the flat end of a 12-inch skewer to poke holes all over each round. Sprinkle each with salt. Bake for 10 minutes and then brush the dough with egg white. Continue to bake until the crackers are crisp and the edges begin to turn golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes more. Let cool completely on the baking sheet, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the Cheddar, cream cheese, Parmesan, paprika and cayenne to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the cheese is melted, smooth and orange, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the sauce to a bowl and let cool at room temperature, about 20 minutes.
• Place one cracker onto a serving platter. Spread the cheese sauce over top of the cracker (the cheese should be about 3/4-inch-thick). Top with the second cracker and smooth the edges of the cheese with your finger or an offset spatula. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour. Slice and serve cold with carrot sticks and celery.

CHEESY LADYBUG TOPPED CRACKERS

Steps:

• Cut cheese slices into circles using 1-1/2-inch cookie cutter. Cut each circle in half; set aside. Reserve scraps for other use.
• Top each cracker with 1 pepperoni slice and 2 cheese pieces to resemble a ladybug and her wings.
• Add 2 tomato slices and an olive piece to each for the ladybug's spots and head.