Southern Cheese Straws with Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Cheese Straws are as Southern as it gets. They're made with sharp cheddar cheese and basic pantry staples and baked in the oven until golden brown. This foolproof recipe is just like Grandma used to make and is perfect for any occasion, from tailgating to baby showers.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 8 tablespoons butter (cold)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons ice water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350º. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a food processor with the shredder attachment, add the block of cheese and shred. Change the blade and a flour, butter, cut into cubes, salt, baking powder, paprika and cayenne. Process until it looks crumbly, about 30 seconds. Add ice water and process until it starts to form a ball. Don’t over process.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured cutting board and form into a ball with your hands. Spread it into a 4 inch square then use a rolling pin to roll it into a 10 inch square, about ¼ inch thick.
- Press a fork onto the top edge and drag it down the surface, continue until there are grooves covering the square.
- Cut the square into thirds perpendicular to the lines. Cut each section into ½ strips cutting in the same direction as the lines. Place on the prepared baking sheet about ½ inch apart.
- Bake for 30 minutes until they are lightly brown. Let cool completely on the baking sheet.
Barbara's Notes + Tips
- Try not to over work the dough.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese or they will taste a little bland.
- If you don’t want them spicy, reduce the cayenne by half.
Nutrition
Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 82mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.03g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 0.2mg
