Description
These irresistible Southern Cheese Straws combine sharp cheddar cheese with a blend of spices and butter to create a rich, flaky, and crunchy snack that will wow your guests. Perfectly baked to a golden brown, these cheese straws are an ideal appetizer or party treat with a delightful kick of cayenne and a subtle smokiness from smoked paprika.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Straw Dough
- 1.5 cups Butter, softened (key to achieving a rich and flaky texture)
- 1 pound Extra sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (choose the sharpest variety for maximum flavor impact)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (enhances flavors)
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (adds a delightful kick)
- 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika (gives a subtle smokiness)
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder (adds depth)
- 4 cups All-purpose flour (provides structure)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ to ensure it reaches an ideal temperature for even baking of the cheese straws.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cheese straws from sticking and to promote even baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Beat the softened butter, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder together at medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is smooth and well combined, allowing flavors to meld.
- Add Flour: Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour into the butter and cheese mixture, beating just until combined to form the dough without overworking it.
- Fill Cookie Press: Spoon the dough into a cookie press fitted with a star-shaped disk to create the traditional ridged shape of cheese straws.
- Pipe Dough: Pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheet in long ribbons, ensuring they are evenly spaced for consistent baking.
- Cut Into Pieces: Using a knife or spatula, cut the piped ribbons into 4-inch long pieces to form individual cheese straws.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese straws are lightly browned and crisp on the edges.
- Cool: Remove from oven and let the cheese straws cool on wire racks for a few minutes to firm up and prevent breakage.
- Optional Seasoning: Sprinkle with a little seasoned salt if desired for extra flavor before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and to achieve the perfect dough consistency.
- If you don’t have a cookie press, rolling out the dough and cutting into strips can work as an alternative.
- Store cooled cheese straws in an airtight container to keep them crisp for up to one week.
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level.
- Use parchment paper to avoid sticking and make cleanup easy.
