Southern 4-Ingredient Cheese Straws

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 16 minutes

Total Time: 31 minutes

Yield: 24–30 cheese straws

Directions and Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). To make cleanup a breeze, line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the soft butter and finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Blend them together until the mixture is smooth and paste-like, allowing the rich cheese flavor to shine through.
3. Next, sprinkle the cayenne pepper over the cheese mixture, then gently fold in the all-purpose flour. Mix until you form a soft and thick dough that holds its shape beautifully.
4. Now, it’s time to decide how you want to shape your cheese straws. For those classic ridged straws, transfer half of your dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Alternatively, if you prefer rolling, lightly dust a clean surface with flour and roll out the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick, then slice into strips.
5. If piping, work with half the dough at a time and pipe long, thin strips of the dough directly onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring to leave some space between each straw.
6. If rolling, carefully transfer the cut strips onto the baking sheets, taking care to keep them spaced apart.
7. Bake one sheet at a time in the preheated oven for 12 to 16 minutes, or until the edges are a deep golden brown and you can smell that delicious toasty aroma filling your kitchen.
8. Allow the cheese straws to cool on the pan for about 5 minutes, then gently transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, if you can resist sneaking a few!
9. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, though they may not last that long!

Notes or Tips

Feel free to adjust the amount of cayenne pepper according to your spice preference. For a little extra flavor, try adding herbs such as dried thyme or rosemary to the dough. These cheese straws are perfect as a snack on their own or paired with a tasty dip!

Cooking Techniques

This recipe is simple and highlights the magic of combining just a few ingredients into something extraordinary. Remember to keep your butter soft, as it merges beautifully with the cheese, creating that creamy texture. If you opt for piping, make sure to use a steady hand to create the perfect straw shape, and enjoy the satisfaction of watching them puff up in the oven!