what are graham crackers made of

Graham crackers are usually made from whole wheat flour or graham flour, plus sweeteners like honey or sugar, fat such as oil or butter, and flavorings like cinnamon or vanilla. Some commercial versions also include salt, leavening, and added ingredients like refined flour or corn syrup.

What’s in them

• Graham flour or whole wheat flour. This is the base ingredient and gives them their nutty, grainy taste.

• Sweeteners. Honey is common, and some recipes use molasses or sugar.

• Fat. Butter, shortening, lard, or oil helps create the cracker texture.

• Flavorings. Cinnamon and vanilla are often used.

• Salt and leavening. Many recipes include both for balance and lightness.

Simple way to think about it

A graham cracker is basically a lightly sweetened whole-wheat cracker with a warm, slightly honey-cinnamon flavor. Homemade versions tend to be simpler, while store-bought ones can have more processed ingredients.

If you’re checking labels

If you want the cleanest ingredient list, look for crackers that list whole wheat flour or graham flour near the top, with honey, oil or butter, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder/soda.