Southern Cheese Straws

Ingredients

8 ounces Extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in 8 pieces and chilled

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 tablespoons ice water

Instructions 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Process cheddar, flour, butter, salt, paprika, baking powder and cayenne in food processor until mixture resembles wet sand, about 20 seconds. Add ice water and process until dough ball starts to form, about 25 seconds. 2. Turn out dough onto lightly floured counter. Knead briefly until dough fully comes together, 2 or 3 turns. Using your hands, pat dough into rough 4-inch square. Roll dough into 10-inch square, about 1/4 thick, flouring counter as needed to prevent sticking. 3. Position dough so 1 edge is parallel to edge of counter. Using rounded side of fork,drag tines across entire surface of dough to make decorative lines. 4. Using pizza cutter or chef's knife, trim away and discard 1/2 inch to make neat square. Cut dough into 3 equal pieces perpendicular to decorative lines. Working with 1 section of dough at a time, cut into 1/2 wide strips in direction of lines. 5. Evenly space cheese straws on prepared sheet, about 1/2 apart. Bake until edges of straws are light golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through baking. Let straws cool completely on sheet. 6. Straws can be stored in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Description These work wonderfully with a dip or on their own.

Notes These are lovely and work very well with a dip.

Source Cook's Country