The Conversation
We’re excited for the long weekend since it’s the perfect time for awesome staycations like a ski trip to the mountains or a beautiful drive to Napa. And if you’re anything like us, you probably need little snack to tide you over during the long drive.
After making a bunch of sweets like cookie dough brownie pops, crepe cake, and hot chocolate on a stick, we’re whipping up something savory today. Of course, there’s no better snack than the amazing Cheez-It, which you can make yourself in under an hour! With flavors like gruyere + black pepper, classic cheddar, and mozzarella + basil, just be sure not to finish the whole bag before you even get in the car!
Ingredients:
Classic Cheddar
-1 ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
– 1 cup all purpose flour
– 4 tbsp cold butter, chopped into small cubes
– ¼ tsp salt
– 4 tbsp cold water
Basil Mozzarella
– 1 ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1 cup all purpose flour
– 1 tbsp dried basil
– 4 tbsp cold butter, chopped into small cubes
– ¼ tsp salt
– 4 tbsp cold water
Gruyere Black Pepper
-1 ½ cup shredded gruyere cheese
– 1 cup all purpose flour
– 1 tbsp black pepper
– 4 tbsp cold butter, chopped into small cubes
– ¼ tsp salt
– 4 tbsp cold water
Start off by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F.
Let’s start off with the classic cheddar Cheez-It. Place all ingredients except cold water into a food processor. Pulse until the dough is crumbly and has no large chunks.
Pour the dough in a medium sized mixing bowl and add 1 tbsp of cold water. Knead the dough so the water disperses. Repeat in 1 tbsp intervals until you’ve used all your cold water. By this time, your dough should be more doughy and not crumbly. If it still isn’t holding together, add 1 tbsp of cold water until it is more malleable. Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough so it’s about 1/16th inches thick. Cut out assorted shapes with cookie cutters! Use a toothpick to poke a hole through the center of each Cheez-it.
Bake in the oven for 12 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned.
Repeat the process for the basil mozzarella and gruyere black pepper cheeze-its.
The black pepper adds a nice little kick to the gruyere.
Cheddar. So simple but so amazing.
We love how the basil mozzarella cheez-its taste like pizza in a cracker!
Rawr!!
Nanette is an all around food enthusiast who loves transforming basic everyday foods into something delicious, and of course, full of sprinkles. You can see more of her at www.nanettewong.com.
More From DIY Recipes
Getting the word out about your brand takes time, drive, and ingenuity. And it doesn't come easy for many entrepreneurs. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're chatting with Selfmade alum Taylor Morgan McPherson, founder of Sustainable Sparkle Bar, about ways in which she scored press as a solo startup brand and what she learned from Selfmade to take her brand marketing up a notch.
B + C: How did you know Sustainable Sparkle Bar was your business to start?
Glitter has always been my thing, so when I started my event company I decided to make it my niche. I started telling people I threw glitter-themed parties where people would get sparkled with glitter body art and makeup. Six months after that I applied to my first festival and to work with SUR restaurant in West Hollywood.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
I honestly can't say that I've had a specific strategy that I've followed when it comes to getting my business off the ground. I have a PR background so I was just constantly pitching new business and posting on social media.
B + C: What's the biggest challenge you face as a small business owner?
I would say creating a stable income and revenue stream. With a seasonal, event-based business it can be very up and down.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
The relationships I made and the push to start an email database.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I love what I do and I believe in myself 100%. Staying motivated isn't the hard part. Pushing myself to do the work and staying accountable is the hard part.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip? Do you use any apps that help you manage your business?
I keep multiple to-do lists, hand-written and digital. I also tell clients and partners that I will have something to them by a certain time or day so I have to stick to it.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Just do it, take the leap. And don't worry about what anyone else says to thinks.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Issa Rae, I'm so inspired by everything that she's created being a creative and a black woman. It's my dream to have my own show one day based on my life and where I give advice and talk about the world. She's doing it and making people laugh and giving people joy. And it's based in LA. Watching Insecure only further cemented my dreams of wanting to live in LA.
B + C: How did you hear about the Office Depot scholarship?
One of my friends that I met through Camp No Counselors saw an IG ad for it and nominated me.
B + C: What has receiving the scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start/grow your business?
It's completely helped me level up and take my business to another level. Selfmade helped me host my first virtual event and taught me how to set up my website to sell tickets to events and get RSVPs.
B + C: How have Office Depot services or products helped you accomplish more in your business?
I got new cards to send in all of my orders with my discount code on them. I also bought a really cool 4K camera that I now use for my social media.
Thanks Taylor! You really know how to sparkle. We love her colorful, creative vibe. You can follow Sustainable Sparkle Bar on Instagram @sustainablesparklebar.
Let Office Depot OfficeMax help you stand out in the crowd. From signs, posters & banners to promote your business, to marketing materials to keep your customers informed, Office Depot OfficeMax offers a full suite of business services & solutions to help you & your business get noticed.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.
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