Southern Cheese Straws
The Perfect 5 Ingredient Appetizer for any Occasion. Try these on New Year's Eve.
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- spatula & wooden spoon
- electric hand mixer
- measuring spoons & cups
- large sheet pan with parchment paper
- medium bowl
- flour sifter
- clean non-stick surface
- Rolling Pin
Ingredients
- 2 sticks (1 cup) softened unsalted butter
- 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese, room temperature
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 TBS baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp optional: ceyenne pepper, paprika, or chili powder
- 1 TBS optional: parsley flakes
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl beat 2 stick butter until creamy and light in color. Add in shredded cheddar cheese and mix until well combined.
- In a medium bowl sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Add ceyenne, paprika, or chili powder, if desired.
- Add 1/3 of the flour mixture into the butter mixture and mix with a wooden spoon. Mix in another 1/3 of the flour mixture. Mix in the rest of the flour mixture into the batter with the parsley flakes.
- Mix with your hands until a dough ball forms.NOTE: the whole process of the recipe can be done in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.
- Place dough onto a non-stick surface (a silpat mat works really well) and roll out with a piece of parchment on top of dough to prevent stickage. Roll out to a rectangle shape.
- Cut rectangle dough in half lengthwise and cut into strips about 1/4-1/2 inch wide. Prick the strips with a fork or scrape the fork along the strips for texture. You can even give the strips shape by curving them into S shapes.
- Place the strips onto a parchment lined sheet pan with a little space in between.
- Place in 350 degree preheated oven for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. (Depending on the thickness, may need more time.)
- Remove from sheet pan immediately onto a wire wrack and allow to cool completely to form and hold shape. Serve in wide glasses or on a platter.