Wedding, bridal and baby shower season's upon us, y'all, and in the South, that can only mean one thing. It's time to make the cheese straws. This simple, delicious cheesy fingerfood that's two-thirds rich cheddar and one third savory, tender-crisp shortbread remains a staple party favorite in my native land. Though they're traditionally shaped in long, thin, ridged strips with a cookie press (hence the name), I wanted to show y'all a way to make these that takes less time and still delivers a pretty little treat for your party guests.
Come on! Let me show you what I mean:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. salt
Cream butter well using electric mixer. Add remaining ingredients and combine well, first with blender, then with clean hands, scraping bowl as you go. Place half of crumby mixture in a small pile at the center of a square of wax paper and fold wax paper over pile. Shake mixture into fold of wax paper and carefully press and roll mixture into a 1 to 1 1/2 inch tube. Freeze for several hours or overnight. (Or place in a sealed plastic bag and store for up to a month.)
When ready to serve, remove tubes from freezer and allow to stand 5 minutes. Preheat oven to 375° F. Slice dough thinly and place disks onto a baking sheet covered with parchment or Silpat. Bake for 10 minutes. Do not brown. Allow to cool slightly then remove to wire cooling rack.
Cheese straws may be served warm or at room temperature and will be delicate and breakable, so handle them gently.
Makes about 4 dozen.
Megan blogs about food and other good things in life at FriedOkra.
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I love cheese straws – the fact that I don't have to break out my cookie press makes it even better!
Wow!! I love cheese straws, but never once thought that my "cooking challenged" self could make them. However, I think I can handle this recipe. Thanks so much for simplifying an all time favorite of mine!!
Being a Northern girl, I've never heard of cheesestraws, but they sound good! My hubby loves all things cheesy, so I'll have to try them out. Thanks Megan!
Once again, a great recipe!!! Love cheese straws!!! How fun that you are at blissfully domestic. You sure get around these days.
Those sound yummy— I LOVE anything with cheese. I'll have to try them out. Thanks for the great recipe.
Lawzy, those look good! I do believe it's cool enough here this weekend to whip up a batch and turn that oven on long enough to bake 'em tomorrow
I've read about cheese straws in the Mitford series & always thought they would be good. I'ma have to try these babies!
I've been wondering what the heck cheese straws are. They sound de-lish!
I'll have to try these. I have out of town family coming to visit next week.
Delicious!!!
I'm so excited that you're contributing here! Love the cayenne add-in, and the disk shape. Will try–my baking is stuck in a brownie rut!