Midnight Sun Charcoal Crackers (Printable)

Charcoal crackers paired with a glowing roasted carrot and turmeric dip, ideal for sophisticated snacking.

# What You'll Need:

→ Charcoal Crackers

01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour (120 g)
02 - 2 tablespoons activated charcoal powder (food-grade)
03 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1/3 cup water (80 ml)

→ Roasted Carrot & Turmeric Dip

06 - 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
10 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or plant-based alternative (120 g)
13 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
14 - 1 tablespoon tahini
15 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
16 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
17 - Pinch of black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss chopped carrots with olive oil, sea salt, turmeric, smoked paprika, and ground cumin. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes until tender and caramelized. Allow to cool slightly.
02 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, activated charcoal powder, and salt. Add olive oil and water, stirring until a dough forms. Knead briefly until smooth.
03 - Roll the dough very thinly between two sheets of parchment paper. Remove the top sheet and cut into desired shapes. Transfer crackers with parchment to a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until crisp. Cool completely.
04 - In a food processor, combine roasted carrots, Greek yogurt or plant-based alternative, lemon juice, tahini, minced garlic, honey or maple syrup, and black pepper. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
05 - Spoon the dip into the center of a plate or serving board, shaping a thick bright circle resembling a yolk. Arrange charcoal crackers attractively around the dip to evoke the midnight sun aesthetic.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The visual contrast is so striking that guests genuinely pause before eating, making it feel like an art piece you can actually taste.
  • It comes together in under an hour and can be mostly prepped ahead, so you're not scrambling before people arrive.
  • The creamy, spiced dip tastes luxurious but relies on humble roasted carrots and Greek yogurt, not expensive ingredients.
02 -
  • Charcoal dough absorbs water differently than regular flour, so if it feels too dry, add water a teaspoon at a time rather than dumping in the full amount upfront.
  • Don't skip the cooling step for the roasted carrots; adding warm carrots to the food processor can create a grainy dip instead of a smooth one.
  • Food-grade charcoal is essential; regular charcoal is toxic, and even art-grade charcoal isn't safe to eat.
03 -
  • If your dip seems grainy after blending, it means the roasted carrots were too warm or the yogurt was too cold; let both reach room temperature and blend again for a smoother result.
  • A light touch with rolling the dough makes a dramatic difference in cracker texture; rolling thick means chewy rather than crisp, and thin means shards rather than crackers.
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