Cheese Straws
Food / Recipes / Showers/Teas
Cheese straws are a beloved Southern staple, cherished for their rich, savory flavor and crisp, buttery texture. Traditionally made with sharp cheddar cheese, flour, butter, and a hint of cayenne pepper, these slender snacks strike the perfect balance between cheesy comfort and a subtle kick of heat. Often served at weddings, holiday gatherings, or as a simple gift, cheese straws hold a nostalgic place in Southern kitchens, passed down through generations in handwritten recipe cards. Whether elegantly served or in a tin on the kitchen counter, they reflect the Southern love of hospitality—simple, homemade, and irresistibly good.
Cheese Straws
Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 pound extra-sharp Cheddar cheese graded at room temperature
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- Dash hot pepper sauce optional
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour sifted
Instructions
- In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine the cheese, butter, salt, cayenne, and hot sauce by pulsing several times until well blended. Add the flour and pulse until the dough forms a ball.
- Preheat the oven to 375 ℉. Fit a cookie press with the ribbon or star template.
- Press long, continuous strips of the dough 2 inches apart onto uncreased cookie sheets. Using a sharp knife score the strips every 3 inches. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges just begin to brown over so slightly.
- Remove the cheese straws from the oven and cut or break on the scored lines. Place them on a rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- make ahead and store in the freezer.
- storing in a tin container keeps them crisp.
Tools Needed
