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…
Speaking of the Super Bowl, who are your teams? Who do you see going all the way? Here in Atlanta, you know I have to cheer for my Falcons. They’re so close! If we can just get through playing the Packers next weekend, I definitely see some rings in our future.
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!
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Southern Cheese Straws
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ½ tsp ground cayenne pepper or to taste
- 2 sticks butter or margarine I prefer butter slightly soft
- 1 ½ lbs grated extra sharp Cheddar cheese and taken to room temp
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.
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. 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
These other munchies would also be great for a party!
Garlic Herb Marinated Mozzarella 
Baked Brie with Sundried Tomatoes and Pesto 
Muffaletta Shot Apps 
Smoky, Spicy Pimento Cheese 
Jambalaya Dip 
Spicy Chorizo Sausage Balls 
Cajun Garlic Beer-Boiled Peanuts 
Lemon Cheesecake Mini Tarts 
Blackeyed Pea Hummus
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I’ve never made these but definitely want to. They are so delicious!
Stacey, They’re actually a little bit addictive, aren’t they?
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!
What kind of cookie press did you use?
I’d love to see how you used the ribbon tip to shape these cheese straws.
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!
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?
How many straws does this recipe yield?
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.