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Extra Crispy Southern Cheddar Cheese Straws with a Hint of Cayenne

Close-up of a pile of crispy, golden-orange cheese straws seasoned with spices, served on a white plate.
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Make the best homemade cheese straws with this Southern recipe. These cheddar cheese snacks are buttery, crispy, and perfect for any party or game day spread.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 tablespoons ice water

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and cayenne pepper.
  2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
  3. Stir in the grated sharp cheddar cheese until evenly distributed.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk and ice water together. Add this liquid mixture to the flour mixture one tablespoon at a time, mixing just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
  5. Form the dough into a flat disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is key for crispy straws.
  6. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness.
  8. Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into strips about 1/2-inch wide and 4 to 5 inches long.
  9. Place the cheese straws onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving a small space between them.
  10. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the straws are crisp. Baking time varies based on thickness.
  11. Let the cheese straws cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They will crisp up as they cool.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent the best texture.
  • Keep the butter and water very cold to achieve a flaky, shatteringly crisp result, a secret to great Southern cheese straws.
  • For Parmesan cheese straws, substitute half of the cheddar with grated Parmesan cheese.
  • If you prefer spicy cheese straws, increase the cayenne pepper to 1/2 teaspoon or add a pinch of smoked paprika.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/cheese-straws-extra-crispy-southern-cheddar-recipe/