Kamil Perry
Cheese straws are a beloved Southern treat, often served at celebrations and gatherings. They are made with a soft dough that combines cheddar cheese, butter, flour, salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a savoury kick. The dough can be formed into straws by rolling it out and cutting it into strips, or by using a cookie press or piping bag. Once baked, cheese straws can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or frozen for future use. To cook frozen cheese straws, simply bake them from frozen, adding a few minutes to the total bake time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Oven temperature | 350°F-425°F |
| Ingredients | Cheddar cheese, butter, all-purpose flour, salt, cayenne pepper |
| Preparation | Mix ingredients, form dough, cut into strips, bake |
| Baking time | 10-14 minutes |
| Cooling time | 5-10 minutes |
| Storage | Airtight container, room temperature, up to 1 week |
| Freezing | Slice unbaked straws, freeze on lined baking sheet, store in freezer bag |
| Frozen baking | Bake from frozen, add a few minutes to baking time |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the dough
To prepare the dough for frozen cheese straws, you will need the following ingredients:
- Butter
- Cheese (cheddar, or another sharp or strongly flavoured variety, such as Parmesan, Manchego, or Gouda)
- Flour (all-purpose)
- Salt
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
You may also need to add a small amount of water to the dough, depending on your kitchen, your flour, and your chosen flavour variations.
Before you begin, it is recommended that you allow your butter and cheese to come to room temperature. Once you are ready to start, cream together the butter and cheese in a large mixing bowl until the cheese is evenly mixed throughout. Then, add the flour, salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix the dough on a low setting until the flour is incorporated, and then increase the speed to medium until the dough comes together.
If you plan to use a cookie press, you can proceed to form the dough into straws. However, if you plan to roll out the dough and cut it into strips, you will need to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes first.
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Shaping the straws
Using a cookie press is a popular method for shaping cheese straws. This method creates uniform straws with a crunchy texture from the ridges formed by the press. To use a cookie press, load the dough into the press and choose a large shape, such as a flower or swirl, or an open star attachment to create long strips of dough. Squeeze out the dough and cut it into the desired length—usually about 3 to 4 inches long.
Another method for shaping cheese straws is to roll out the dough and cut it into strips. This method is simple and straightforward but may result in a less crunchy texture compared to using a cookie press. To cut the dough into strips, roll it out to the desired thickness—usually about 3/8-inch thick. Then, use a sharp knife or cookie cutter to cut the dough into strips that are 1 1/2 inches wide and 2 1/2 to 3 inches long.
Piping the dough using a pastry bag is another option for shaping cheese straws. This method can be tricky due to the density of the dough, but it can create unique shapes and textures. To pipe the dough, transfer it to a pastry bag fitted with a star-shaped tip or another desired shape. Pipe the dough onto a baking sheet in long strips, then use a sharp knife to cut the strips into the desired length.
Additionally, there are a few other techniques that can be used to shape cheese straws. One method is to stamp out rounds of dough using a cutter and place a single toasted pecan half on each round before folding and crimping the dough into a half-moon shape. Another technique involves wiggling the dough before baking to create a curvy shape, although this step can be skipped if a straight straw is preferred.
Overall, shaping cheese straws involves using various tools and techniques to create the desired size, shape, and texture. Each method has its own advantages and level of difficulty, so it's important to choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
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Baking the straws
If you're baking from frozen, you'll need to add a few minutes to the bake time. It's also recommended that you let the frozen cheese straws thaw completely in the refrigerator before baking. Preheat the oven to a temperature between 350°F and 425°F. Transfer the cheese straws to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminium foil.
Bake the straws for 10 to 14 minutes, keeping an eye on them and removing them from the oven when they are lightly browned around the edges and/or start to turn golden brown. If you're baking from frozen, this may take a few minutes longer.
Let the cheese straws cool on the cookie sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. You can then store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for up to two months.
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Storing the straws
Storing cheese straws is simple. If you want to store them in the freezer, place the unbaked straws on a lined baking sheet and put them in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Then, transfer the frozen straws into a freezer bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to a month. When you're ready to eat them, there's no need to defrost them—just pop them straight into the oven and bake from frozen, allowing a little extra baking time.
If you'd prefer to store your cheese straws in the fridge, place them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for up to three days.
If you're taking your cheese straws on the go, an airtight tin will keep them crisp and fresh.
Cheese straws are a great snack to make in bulk and store in the freezer for when you're craving something cheesy. They're a delicious alternative to breadsticks and are best served alongside soups, salads, or dips.
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Reheating the straws
If you have frozen your cheese straws, you can reheat them in the oven by adding a few minutes to the original bake time. For example, if the original bake time was 12 minutes, you could bake them for 14-15 minutes.
Alternatively, you can thaw the frozen cheese straws overnight in the fridge and then bake them for the usual amount of time.
If you have frozen the dough, you should allow it to thaw completely in the refrigerator before baking.
You can also freeze cheese straws after baking. Place the baked cheese straws on a baking sheet for a couple of hours until frozen, then place them in a freezer bag.
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Frequently asked questions
To cook frozen cheese straws, bake them from frozen, adding a few minutes to the bake time.
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Bake the frozen cheese straws for 10 to 14 minutes, until they are lightly browned around the edges.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminium foil.
Yes, wrap the dough in plastic wrap, then in aluminium foil, and freeze for up to three months.
