Baking essentials · Crumbs & crackers

Graham crackers

Sweet, wholewheat American crackers, often crushed for cheesecake crusts and s'mores.

Also called: graham cracker crumbs, graham wafers, digestive biscuits (UK stand-in)

Photo: Evan-Amos, via Wikimedia Commons (public-domain)

What it is

Graham crackers are thin rectangular biscuits made with graham (coarse whole-wheat) flour, sugar, honey or molasses and a little fat. They are crisp, slightly sweet and honeyed. Crushed and mixed with butter they form the classic pie and cheesecake base. Outside North America, digestive biscuits are the usual stand-in; they are a little richer and less crisp.

How it’s used

Cheesecake and pie crusts
S'mores with chocolate and marshmallow
Icebox cakes
Crumbled over desserts

Characteristics

Taste: Sweet, honeyed, wheaty.
Texture: Crisp and snappy.
Sold as: dried
Cooking uses: Suitable for baking, Used for binding
Common in: American, Canadian

Storage

Pantry-stable. Sealed in a dry place.

Diet, allergens and safety

Contains Wheat, Gluten. May contain Milk, Soy — check the label.

Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy-free (check label)
Egg-free
Gluten-free
Nut-free
Soy-free (check label)
Caffeine-free

Contains wheat and gluten; unsuitable for people with coeliac disease or a wheat allergy.
May contain milk or soy; honey varieties are unsuitable for vegans.