Paula Deen's Zesty Cheese Straws

Name: Paula Deen's Zesty Cheese Straws
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 5 dozen
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter; 1 lb sharp cheddar cheese; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper; 2 -3 teaspoons dried herbs (optional)

Submitted by katie in the UP

"I like everything Paula makes!"

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photo by Saturn

Ready In:: 45mins
Ingredients:: 6
Yields:: 5 dozen

ingredients

¹⁄₂ cup butter
1 lb sharp cheddar cheese
1 ¹⁄₂ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
¹⁄₄ teaspoon ground red pepper
2 -3 teaspoons dried herbs (optional)

directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Make sure cheese and butter are room temperature.
In a mixing bowl, cream the butter until light and fluffy.
Add the cheese and mix until blended.
Add the flour, salt and red pepper (I used 1/2 tsp) this is when you would add dried herbs if using, mix to form a dough.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the dough, then place it in a cookie press, fitted with a ridged tip.
Pipe the dough in 2 inch strips onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Remove to racks to cool.
**Updated**.
I've discovered these are very tastey using dried herbs also.
I've made them with dill but can see me making them with thyme and sage before too long.

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Reviews

I used to make Deen's zesty cheese straw recipe all the time, when it was on the food network site. I tried this version and it's just not the same. The ratio of cheese to flour is off, there's way more cheese, so they spread a lot and leaked oil while baking. After following the recipe, I had to turn up the temperature and bake an additional 10 minutes to get them to brown and the texture was more like a frico. They tasted good, but it wasn't what I expected.

S M.9602
my christmas crowd was split 50/50 on these some loved them and some really didnt like them. they were very easy to make, I used my cookie press and didnt need to chill the dough before and. I prob wont make them again, I had a lot leftover after our party.

greeneggs
I have made this recipe several times, and just realized that I have never rated it. Great recipe. I make it exactly as directed, except, I use the star plate, which makes more of a straw, and therefore have to adjust the cook time a little. Otherwise, recipe is made exactly as listed. Thanks for posting.

Jellyqueen
I LOVED these! I did find that I didn't need to chill the dough. When I did chill it, it wouldn't come out of my cookie press. I simply worked it around a bit more and it came out just fine. After I had pressed out a bunch of "straws" I decided to spice it up even more! I ended up adding what was probably about a tablespoon of cayenne to an amount equal to the size of a grapefruit. They are super spicy and perfect for the spice lovers in the house. I enjoyed making this recipe as well. It went together easily. I ended up using black pepper as I couldn't wait until I could find some red pepper. I am on the look out for next time though! Thanks for this great treat.

Saturn