Southern Cheese Straws

A salty and savory snack that would make a great gift as well.

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 14

Total Time 29

Servings

Calories 50kcal

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat together 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese and ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined.
NOTE: This is easiest with an electric hand mixer but you can do it by hand. You'll just need a bit of elbow grease.
Add 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (if using). Mix until crumbly.
Add water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, just until the dough holds together. Dough should be firm but pliable.
Roll dough into a rectangle about 6×12 inches and ¼-inch thick (traditional Southern style) (traditional Southern style) on a lightly floured surface.
Use a bench scraper, sharp knife, or pizza cutter to cut strips about ½-inch wide and 6 inches long.
Cut each strip in half to make 3-inch straws. This should yield about 48 straws (4 dozen) from one batch.
Drag the tines of a fork lightly down each strip to imprint ridges. This not only gives the straws a traditional look but also helps them bake up extra crispy.
Transfer cheese straws to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
Bake on the middle rack, one sheet at a time, for about 12–14 minutes, until golden at the edges. Cool on a wire rack.
Once fully cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.