Randy Chandler
Cheese straws are a popular snack in the Southern United States, especially in Mississippi, and are also enjoyed in England. They are made with a combination of cheese, butter, flour, and spices, and are known for their crunchy texture and savory flavor. While various types of cheese can be used, sharp cheddar cheese is considered traditional and is a popular choice for achieving the desired rich and tangy taste. The dough can be formed into strips or coins, and baked until crispy, making cheese straws an easy and impressive treat for any gathering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | Sharp cheddar, shredded gruyere, Monterey Jack, or smoked gouda |
| Butter | Salted, real butter |
| Flour | Self-rising, all-purpose, or soft wheat |
| Spices | Smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper |
| Texture | Crunchy, thick, shortbread cookie-like |
| Taste | Savory |
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What You'll Learn
Sharp cheddar cheese is best for a traditional taste
Cheese straws are a cross between crackers and savoury cookies, with a crunchy texture and a rich, cheesy flavour. They are a popular snack in the Southern United States, especially in Mississippi, and are often served as appetisers, hors d'oeuvres, or with soups and salads.
While a number of cheeses can be used to make cheese straws, sharp cheddar cheese is the traditional choice for a classic, well-loved flavour. Cheddar cheese, with its sharp and tangy flavour, blends perfectly with the other ingredients, such as butter, flour, and spices, to create a delightful savoury treat.
To make cheese straws with a traditional taste, start by grating a cold brick of sharp cheddar cheese. Allow the grated cheese to come to room temperature for about 45 minutes. Then, combine it with softened butter, flour, and spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix these ingredients until a thick, playdough-like dough forms.
Once the dough is ready, it's time to form the cheese straws. You can use a cookie press with a star tip to create uniform, thick straws, or roll out the dough and cut it into strips for a more rustic look. Place the cheese straws on a baking sheet and bake them until they are lightly browned and crispy.
Cheese straws made with sharp cheddar cheese will have a distinctive flavour that is both rich and tangy. They are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for a few days. This traditional cheese choice will give your cheese straws an authentic Southern flavour that is sure to impress!
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Shredded Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or smoked Gouda are tasty alternatives
While sharp Cheddar cheese is the traditional choice for making cheese straws, shredded Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or smoked Gouda are tasty alternatives.
Shredded Gruyere, a type of Swiss cheese with a slightly sweet and nutty flavour, can add a unique taste to your cheese straws. It has a distinctive earthy aroma and a creamy texture that can enhance the flavour and mouthfeel of your cheese straws.
Monterey Jack, a semi-hard cheese with a mild flavour, is another excellent option. Its creamy and buttery notes can provide a smooth and savoury taste to your cheese straws. This cheese melts well, contributing to a gooey and indulgent texture in your cheese straws.
Smoked Gouda, with its distinctive smoky flavour, can be a fantastic choice for adding depth and complexity to your cheese straws. It has a rich and slightly nutty taste that can complement the other ingredients in your cheese straws recipe. Smoked Gouda melts beautifully, resulting in a creamy and indulgent texture.
When using these alternative cheeses, feel free to adjust the spices in your recipe to suit your taste preferences. For instance, if you enjoy spicy food, you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper to the mix.
Remember, cheese straws are all about the cheese and its flavour, so choose an option that suits your taste buds and don't be afraid to experiment with different varieties to find your favourite!
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Use a cookie press for uniform, thick straws
Cheese straws are a Southern staple, with a texture and flavour that is a cross between a cracker and a savoury cookie. They are a popular appetizer, hors d'oeuvre, or snack. To make cheese straws, you can use a cookie press to get uniform, thick straws.
A cookie press, also known as a biscuit press, is a cylindrical kitchen tool used to make cheese straws. It has a plunger on one end and a hole on the other. The plunger pushes the cookie dough out from the hole. Perforated plates can be attached to the end with the hole, allowing you to make cheese straws of different shapes. Cookie presses come in various designs, including those with levers, triggers, electric buttons, and rotating handles.
To use a cookie press for uniform, thick straws, first, prepare the cheese straw dough. Then, transfer a portion of the dough to the cookie press fitted with an open star attachment. Squeeze out long strips of dough onto a baking sheet. You can get more uniform straws by piping long ropes and using a sharp knife to cut them into even lengths of about 3 to 4 inches, rather than attempting to pipe them to the same exact length.
There are several cookie presses available in the market, such as the OXO cookie press, the Kuhn Rikon cookie press, and Fante's Easy Cookie Press. The OXO cookie press is known for its ergonomic design and disk options, while the Kuhn Rikon cookie press comes with decorating tips and a storage box. Fante's Easy Cookie Press is made of durable steel and has one steel plate with five available cookie shapes.
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For thin straws, roll out the dough and cut into strips
To make thin cheese straws, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch in thickness. You can use a pastry cutter or pizza cutter to cut the dough into thin strips. You can also twist the dough to create a playful shape as you transfer the strips to the baking sheet.
If you prefer a more uniform shape, you can use a cookie press to pipe the dough into long strips before cutting. To do this, transfer a portion of the dough into a cookie press or a large piping bag fitted with a large star piping tip. Slowly pipe long strands of dough onto a prepared baking sheet about 1 to 1 1/2 inches apart, then cut into 3- to 6-inch lengths.
For the dough, you will need flour, butter, and cheese. Traditional cheese straws use sharp cheddar cheese, but you can also use mild cheddar, shredded gruyere, Monterey Jack, or smoked gouda. Freshly grate the cheese for the best results. Combine the flour, cheese, and butter in a large bowl or use an electric mixer until a thick dough forms. You can also add spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste.
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Best served fresh, but can be stored for up to a week
Cheese straws are best enjoyed fresh, straight out of the oven. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. To ensure the cheese straws stay fresh, let them cool completely before storing them. Layer them carefully on parchment paper in the container to prevent breakage as they are quite delicate.
If you wish to store them for longer, freezing is an option. Cheese straws can be frozen for up to one or two months in an airtight container. When you're ready to enjoy them, let them thaw to room temperature, and you can even re-crisp them in a toaster oven if needed.
Cheese straws are a delightful snack, perfect for parties, holidays, and gatherings. They are a Southern staple, often made with sharp cheddar cheese, butter, flour, and spices, and baked until crispy and golden. While they are best enjoyed fresh, proper storage can extend their shelf life, ensuring you can savour them for a few extra days.
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Frequently asked questions
Sharp cheddar cheese is the traditional choice for making cheese straws, but shredded gruyere, Monterey Jack, or smoked gouda would also work well.
You will need flour, butter, and cheese to make cheese straws. Some recipes also call for spices such as smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
Cheese straws are best the day they are made but can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to a month.
Cheese straws can be shaped using a cookie press with a star-shaped tip, which creates uniform, thick straws. Alternatively, you can roll out the dough and cut it into strips using a knife or pastry cutter.
Cheese straws are a great snack to serve at parties, showers, or holiday gatherings. They can be served on their own or with dips such as white bean dip or hummus.
