Whip up a batch of the delicious, crispy cheese straws with just a little spice for your next gathering and I promise people will go crazy for them.
Hey guys! Whew, it has been a busy week over here! I'm trying to get the bathroom renovations done at my house, Mom is having computer trouble at her place (a blogger's nightmare) and the weekends seem much shorter for me during football season. Maybe I'll get something done after the Super Bowl is over...
Around here, everyone is holding off on planning Super Bowl parties until they're sure they know who is going to be in the game, but I wanted to help y'all move in the right direction with a crowd-pleasing snack that you could have on game day: Cheese Straws!
Now, if you've never had cheese straws before, I'm just going to pray for you because you are missing out on a big part of life. If you have had them before, but only the kind from the store, you probably loved them (rightfully so) and have no idea what you're missing out on by not going homemade.
They're delicious, crispy, have just the tiniest bit of spice... and they're really nothing but cheese and butter and who doesn't love that? I use my Aunt Susan's recipe and they're just perfect. Whip up a batch of cheese straws for your next gathering and I promise people will go crazy over them.
Cheese Straws can be dressed down in a favorite pottery dish like above, or dress them up with silver and lace for a wedding shower, reception or baby shower.
Freeze cheese straws for later.
These cheese straws are perfect for making ahead and storing in the freezer. Get out a few at the time or save the whole batch for a holiday or big event. They're part of a collection of 15 Make Ahead Recipes for Holiday Meals. Check it out!
Southern Food Then and Now is all about traditions, regions and the origins of our favorite cuisine!
Click here for a round up of 20 southern appetizers.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read our full disclosure policy
Cheese straws are the perfect addition to a southern style appetizer tray. Here we used pickled okra and pecans, but you can use your imagination to create yours, or just whatever you have on hand. Some pimento cheese would be lovely on a tray like this. We're big believers is letting nothing go to waste!
Now, you'll notice that this recipe calls for a cookie press... if you don't have one yet, you should definitely consider buying one. They're inexpensive and really come in handy for making beautiful treats!
Below are links to a whole page of cookie presses to choose from and a few other items you may need:
- Several cookie presses can be found here - all are Amazon rated four star or above
- Our favorite type cheese grater. More finely grated cheese works best for cheese straws.
- Parchment paper is the best thing ever for baking!
- Spicy Pickled Okra is perfect on a tray with cheese straws
📖 Recipe
Southern Cheese Straws
Ingredients
- 2¾ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper or to taste
- 2 sticks butter slightly softened
- 1½ pounds extra sharp cheddar cheese grated and brought to room temperature
Instructions
- Mix butter and cheese well by hand.
- Add flour, salt, baking powder, and cayenne pepper in small amounts and mix well.
- Using the ribbon tip of cookie press, press straws on to cookie sheets and bake at 350 over for 10-12 minutes or until light brown on the edges.
- Cool completely before storing.
Stacey says
I've never made these but definitely want to. They are so delicious!
Pam says
Stacey, They're actually a little bit addictive, aren't they?
Jen Hill says
Do you think I could make these and pipe them out, then freeze to bake in 2 days? Making them for Christmas, but won't really have time on Christmas eve or that morning. Thanks, they look great!
Norma Thorne says
What kind of cookie press did you use?
Angelica says
I'd love to see how you used the ribbon tip to shape these cheese straws.
GiniD says
I've been making these cheese balls/straws -- whatever -- for years, and have NEVER been able to get them through a cookie press of any kind! The dough is too thick. Even at room temperature, the cheese dough will not pass through the press. Any suggestions? Thank you!
Pam says
Hmmmm.... Are you finely grating your cheese? How about leveling off the measuring cup for your flour? If none of that helps, maybe your cookie press is the culprit. Have you tried different ones or always the same?
Alison says
How many straws does this recipe yield?
Pam says
Gosh, Alison, the yield is going to vary according to what type of tip you use on the cookie press and then what size you cut or break the straws into. Using the tip you see in the photos we usually need two cookie sheets to fit them all on. Hope that helps.