Homemade Cheese Straws

A beloved Southern treat, these spicy little cheese straws are simple to make and even more addictive to eat.

baked cheese straws cooking on a wire rack.

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Cheese straws have been a beloved Southern treat for longer than I can remember. If you’ve never had one, they have the texture of a shortbread cookie but the flavor of a Cheese It, with a dash of cayenne pepper thrown in. Growing up, people always gave them out as gifts during the holidays. But I see no reason why their enjoyment should only be limited to a couple months out of the year.

Ingredients and tools you’ll need

These cheese straws only require five ingredients. See, didn’t I tell you these were easy? They are super easy to make and even more addictive to eat. To make them, you’ll need:

  • 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened
  • 16 ounces sharp shredded cheddar cheese, room temperature
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Cookie press, optional
collage of ingredients needed to make cheese straws.

Make the Dough

Before you even get started, I highly recommend letting your butter and cheese come to room temperature. Both of these ingredients cream together much easier when they are soft.

To start, cream together 1 ½ cups of softened unsalted butter and 16 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese. I used sharp cheddar, mild or medium will work too. I used the paddle attachment on my Kitchenaid stand mixer.

Once these are combined, add four cups of all-purpose flour, two teaspoons of salt and one teaspoon of cayenne pepper. I found one teaspoon of cayenne gave them a bit of a bite but did overpower the dough. If you like a little more heat, feel free to add more pepper.

Mix the dough on low until the flour is incorporated, then increase the speed to medium. It might seem at first that the dough isn’t wet enough to stick together. Just keep mixing. Eventually it will come together.

Form the Cheese Straws

I tried three different methods of forming my cheese straws. First, I rolled the dough out and cut the straws into strips. Next, I tried piping the straws using a pastry bag and at a star-shaped tip. Third, I used a cookie press with the zig zag disc.

While cutting the cheese straws into strips was the easiest method, it lacked the crunchy texture you get from the ridges formed by piping or using a cookie press. Piping turned out to be impossible. The dough is just too dense to squeeze through the little tip, even when I warmed the dough in my hands first to make it more pliable. I cookie press was the way to go, though it still took some muscle. I do recommend warming the dough by rolling it in clean hands first to make it softer. Each one of my cheese straws was between 2 ½ and 3 inches long.

unbaked cheese straw dough on a baking sheet.

Bake the cheese Straws

I recommend lining a baking sheet with either aluminum foil or parchment paper or easy clean up. I tried it with both and got similar results. No need to grease the paper or the foil. Since there is no leavening agent in these, they do not spread. I kept about ¼-inch distance between each straw.

Bake the straws in a preheated 375°F oven for 12 minutes until the straws start to turn lightly brown in some places. Allow the straws to cool on the baking sheet for about five minutes, then using a spatula, transfer them to a cooling rack to continue cooling. They cool very fast – within another five minutes they were perfect for snacking.

baked cheese straws cooling on a baking sheet.

Storage and Freezing

Storage. The cheese straw dough can be made ahead of time. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or seal it in a plastic freezer bag. Store the dough in the refrigerator and use it within four days. Once completely cook, baked cheese straws can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Freezing. I don’t recommend freezing baked cheese straws. Because of their delicate texture, they break apart easily and could turn into crumbs from being jostled around in the freezer. Cheese straw dough, on the other hand, can be frozen. Wrap the dough in a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months. Allow the dough to thaw completely in the refrigerator before baking.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use mild or medium cheddar cheese?


Yes, but your cheese straws may have a less “cheesy” flavor.


Can I use pre-shredded cheese or do I need to shred my own?


I used pre-shredded cheese with no problem.


What disk should I use on my cookie press?


I used the disk that looks like a zigzag. Some people have also used the star-shaped disk.

hand removing a cheese straw from a bowl.

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hand removing a cheese straw from a bowl
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5 from 5 votes

Homemade Cheese Straws

A beloved Southern treat, these spicy little cheese straws are simple to make and even more addictive to eat.
Course Appetizer, Snacks
Cuisine American, Southern
Cook Time 12 minutes
Cooling time 5 minutes
Servings 100 cheese straws
Calories 53kcal
Author Lisa B.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups unsalted butter softened
  • 16 ounces sharp shredded cheddar cheese room temperature
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and cheese until the cheese is evenly mixed throughout.
  • Add the flour, salt and cayenne pepper.
  • With the mixer on low, mix the dough until the flour is completely incorporated. Then turn the mixer up to medium and continue to mix until the dough comes together.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  • Using a cookie press, form the dough into 2 ½ – 3-inch straws leaving ¼-inch of space between each straw.
  • If you don’t have a cookie press, roll the dough out to 3/8-inch thick. Cut the strips 1 ½ inches wide and 2 ½ to 3 inches long.
  • Bake the straws for 12 minutes until they start to turn golden brown in some places.
  • Allow the straws to cool on the baking sheet for about five minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

Video

Notes

Storage. The cheese straw dough can be made ahead of time. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or seal it in a plastic freezer bag. Store the dough in the refrigerator and use it within four days. Once completely cook, baked cheese straws can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Freezing. I don’t recommend freezing baked cheese straws. Because of their delicate texture, they break apart easily and could turn into crumbs from being jostled around in the freezer. Cheese straw dough, on the other hand, can be frozen. Wrap the dough in a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to three months. Allow the dough to thaw completely in the refrigerator before baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1straw | Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.7g | Protein: 1.2g | Fat: 3.2g | Saturated Fat: 1.7g | Sodium: 0.06mg | Sugar: 0.2g

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8 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Can I make the dough in a food processor? I would put the dry ingredients in first, then I would add the cheese and butter that has been cut into cubes. I would pulse it until it forms a ball on the blades. I make rugelach dough this way and I have been very successful.

  2. I would pack them in food-safe tins as tightly as you can. If you have any gaps between the straws and the lid, fill that with waxed or parchment paper to prevent shuffling. Pack them in a box large enough that will allow you to put some packing material all the way around the tin. Hope this helps!

  3. I would love to make these and send them as a gift to friends. Have any suggestions on safe packaging of them so that they arrive mostly intact? Thanks!

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