Step 1

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar.

Step 2

Combine the butter with the dry ingredients, using your fingertips or a pastry blender. The mixture should have the consistency of coarse cornmeal.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and cream until smooth.

Step 4

Add to the flour/butter mixture and stir to make a crumbly dough.

Step 5

Gather the dough in your hands and squeeze together; it should be cohesive and form a ball.

Step 6

Pat the dough into a disk about 1” thick, wrap, and chill for 1 hour.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Step 8

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a circle about 1/16” thick. The thicker the dough the more biscuit-like (rather than crunchy) the crackers, so roll thinly.

Step 9

Cut the dough into rounds with a 2” or smaller cutter.

Step 10

Gather the remaining scraps and roll them out again. Cut into more rounds, and repeat as necessary until all the dough is used.

Step 11

Transfer the crackers to lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheets and prick (dock) each one several times with a fork.

Step 12

Sprinkle the tops of the crackers with flaky sea salt or kosher salt, to taste.

Step 13

Bake the crackers for 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, turn the crackers over, and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until they're lightly browned.

Step 14

Remove the crackers from the oven and brush them with melted butter. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Step 15

Store the crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week; freeze for longer storage.