Saffron Crackers

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PRESENTATION

Saffron crackers are the perfect way to add a pop of color and a unique taste to your table. You’ll see them making appearances at gatherings all over Italy. The golden hue? It comes straight from high-quality saffron, which gives these crackers a one-of-a-kind, slightly earthy flavor. Really stands out, right? They're super crispy on the edges and have that satisfying snap when you bite in—just what you need to keep people reaching for more. And listen, these crackers work well on their own, but folks up in Northern Italy really like to pair them with soft, creamy cheeses like crescenza or stracchino. Pretty simple. The whole vibe is relaxed, and sharing a plate of homemade saffron crackers with friends feels both special and easygoing. Plus, with simple ingredients, things stay light, while the saffron brings that unmistakable Italian twist to a classic cracker.

Across various regions in Italy, you’ll find all sorts of spins on the basic saffron cracker recipe. Some folks add in spelt or teff for a heartier taste, while others mix in seeds or even beetroot to get a slightly sweet or tangy kick. No question, the saffron stays front and center—making each bite a little fancy but never over-the-top. Perfect for parties as a saffron appetizer or just to snack on when you’re feeling a bit peckish in the middle of the day. The moist dough is super easy to work with—really!—resulting in a tray full of tender, golden crackers that look as good as they taste. People love them for their bright color and surprising flavor—definitely not your everyday cracker. Whether you’re serving them with dips, cheeses, or just as they are, saffron crackers always add a special touch to snack time. And you know what, simple ingredients can create something really really tasty and fun. With variations like these, you can explore endless possibilities and enjoy a great treat that’s sure to impress.

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INGREDIENTS

Type 00 flour 4 cups (500 g)
Whole milk 1.1 cups (250 ml)
Butter 1 ¾ tbsp (25 g) - softened
Saffron 0.1 tsp (0.25 g)
Fresh brewer's yeast 0.3 oz (8 g)
Fine salt 1 ¾ tsp (10 g)
for garnishing
Crescenza cheese ¾ cup (200 g)
Saffron threads to taste
Preparation

How to prepare Saffron Crackers

To prepare saffron crackers, first take half a glass of milk from the total amount, add the powdered saffron 1, and mix with a teaspoon 2. Pour the remaining milk into another glass, add the crumbled yeast, and stir to dissolve completely 3.

Place the flour in a large bowl and form a well in the center, then pour in the milk and yeast mixture 4 and start mixing. Also add the milk and saffron mixture 5 and mix again. Finally, add the softened butter 6

and the salt 7. Knead to combine all the ingredients. Transfer the dough to the work surface and continue to knead with your hands 8 until you obtain a smooth and firm dough. Form a ball 9, wrap it in plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature for 30 minutes.

After the resting time, roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it reaches a thickness of 1/25 inch 10. Transfer the resulting sheet to a baking tray lined with parchment paper and cut it into squares using a pastry wheel 11. At this point, cover the baking tray with plastic wrap 12 and let it rise for another 30 minutes or so.

After this time, bake the crackers in a preheated fan oven at 320°F for about 15 minutes, placing the baking tray on the middle rack. Once cooked, remove the tray from the oven and let cool 13, then you can spread your saffron crackers with crescenza 14 and garnish them with a few saffron threads 15!

Storage

Saffron crackers can be stored in a tin box for up to a week. Freezing is not recommended.

Suggestion

You can garnish the saffron crackers with your favorite ingredients or enjoy them on their own to better savor the unique taste of this spice!

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.