Straws with Cheddar Cheese

Rich and savory with just the right touch of pepper.

Thirty minutes for preparation
Bake for 12 minutes.
In all, 42 minutes
Productivity: ten dozen

We’re arguing that this is the go-to Cheddar cheese straw recipe that any Southern food fan should have on hand. It has just the right amount of peppery kick and is rich and flavorful. This straightforward recipe travels nicely and is perfect as a party snack. You probably already have six components in your kitchen, so that’s all you’ll need. Really?

With the recipe, you may involve the whole family. The kids love it, and it’s a great alternative to Cheez-Its or goldfish crackers. Overflowing with taste, you won’t be able to stop yourself from asking for more.

The Background of Cheddar Straws

It’s debatable where this beloved Southern meal first appeared. The recipe for cheese straws may have originated in the realm of British biscuits, but it’s also possible that Italian and Spanish biscotti and crisp nibbles served as inspiration.

In addition to being a crunchy, delicious snack, the Southern variant of these straws were created as a means of preserving cheese in the hot, muggy months. Grated cheese, when combined with a few common cupboard ingredients, became the hero of a delicious snack that could be eaten for days.

Cheese straws, which go well with cocktails, are now a standard at Southern get-togethers, family get-togethers, and holiday gift-giving.

Items needed to make cheese straws

Just three basic components are needed to make these traditional cheese straws, plus a few seasonings to boost flavor:

  Butter without salt:

softer so that a smooth dough may be made with ease.

Orange Cheddar Cheese, sharp:

If you want to avoid the anti-caking chemicals included in pre-shredded cheese, shred your own

Salt:

to intensify the flavor of the cheese.

Red pepper, ground:

raises the temperature a bit.

Paprika

gives a warm, earthy touch.

Flour for all purposes:

the dough’s foundation.

The Recipe for Cheese Straws

Before you get started, here’s a quick recap of the full instructions:

Step1:

Blend the first five ingredients using a mixer. Add flour gradually, mixing just until incorporated

Step2:

On baking sheets covered with paper, form the mixture into long ribbons using a cookie press fitted with a star-shaped disk. Slice into pieces that are 2 inches long.

Step3:

. Bake for 12 minutes at 350°F, or until just starting to brown. On wire racks, let cool.

Is a Cookie Press Necessary to Make Cheese Straws?

Long, uniform straws that are easy to split into smaller pieces can be easily made with a cookie press. Although piping the heavy dough by hand can be challenging, an alternative method is to use a pastry bag fitted with a star tip on a canvas.

These straws can also be flattened out and cut with a knife or pizza cutter into strips. Alternatively, they can be shaped into logs and split for crackers

Are Cheese Straws Predictable?

Cheese straws can be prepared in advance, frozen for up to three months in an airtight container, or stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Present the dish either at room temperature or crisp it up by lightly toasting it in the oven.

Additionally, you can make the dough in advance.

Pipe cookies, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then move them to a zip-top bag that is safe to store in the freezer for up to a month. Before baking as instructed, transfer to a baking sheet and allow them to set at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes (they could require more baking time).

How to Keep Cheese Straws That Are Leftover

The remaining cheese straws can be frozen for up to three months or kept at room temperature for up to a week in an airtight container. For crisp, toasty straws, roast them gently in the oven or serve them at room temperature.

Serving Ideas for Cheddar Cheese Straws

Cheese straws are a deliciously crispy, cheesy, buttery snack. Whether they’re eaten as a late-night snack or at the start of a party, they’re undoubtedly tasty on their own (or combined with a cocktail). They can be served later in the meal with soup or salad, or they can be laid out before guests arrive for a small nibble along with a charcuterie board. They also make nice holiday gifts, particularly for savory foodies.
Katie Rosenhouse contributed to the editorial.

Components

1 and a half cups softened unsalted butter

One pound of finely shredded orange Cheddar cheese

One and a half teaspoons of salt

One or two tsp of ground pepper

Half a teaspoon of paprika

Four cups of all-purpose flour

Guidelines

Prepare dough:

Using a heavy-duty stand mixer, beat the first five ingredients at medium speed until well combined.

Add flour gradually, mixing just until incorporated.

Extrude straws:

As directed by the manufacturer, form the batter into long ribbons on baking sheets lined with parchment paper using a cookie press fitted with a star-shaped disk. Trim ribbons to 2-inch lengths.

Make cheese straws in the oven:

Bake for 12 minutes at 350°F, or until gently browned.

Transfer to cooling wire racks.

Regarding Cheese Wafers:

As stated, combine ingredients; refrigerate the dough for two hours. Roll out the dough into four 8-inch-long logs, cover each with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for eight hours. Slice each log into 1/4-inch thick pieces, and arrange on baking pans covered with parchment paper. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until gently browned, at 350°F. Transfer to cooling wire racks. Keep for a week in an airtight jar.