Description
Make crispy, savory cheese straws using sharp cheddar cheese. This recipe yields a classic, flaky snack perfect for parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon cold water
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until evenly distributed.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk and cold water together. Add this liquid mixture to the flour mixture. Mix until a stiff dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Gather the dough into a ball, flatten it into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut the dough into strips about 1/2-inch wide and 5 to 6 inches long. You can twist each strip once or twice for a decorative look.
- Place the straws on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the straws are golden brown and crisp. Baking time varies based on thickness.
- Let the straws cool completely on a wire rack before serving. They will crisp up as they cool.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use a mix of sharp cheddar and Gruyere cheese.
- You can make the dough up to two days ahead and keep it refrigerated.
- If you prefer a flakier texture, substitute half of the flour with cake flour.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 14 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 straws
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 0.2
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 6.5
- Saturated Fat: 4.0
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5
- Trans Fat: 0.1
- Carbohydrates: 4.5
- Fiber: 0.2
- Protein: 3.0
- Cholesterol: 25