Derby Day Cheese Straws (Printable)

Buttery, crispy cheese straws flavored with Parmesan and cayenne, ideal for gatherings and snacks.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
02 - ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
03 - ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

→ Pantry

04 - 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
05 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
06 - ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional

08 - 1–2 tablespoons cold water

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a food processor, combine cheddar, Parmesan, flour, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Pulse until evenly mixed.
03 - Add cold butter cubes and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - If dough is too dry, add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time until dough just comes together.
05 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and roll into rectangle approximately ¼ inch thick.
06 - Cut dough into strips approximately ½ inch wide and 6 inches long.
07 - Transfer strips to prepared baking sheet, spacing slightly apart.
08 - Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden and crisp.
09 - Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Quick and easy to prepare with only 30 minutes total time.
  • Perfect balance of sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses adds depth.
  • Cayenne pepper adds a gentle, warming heat without overpowering.
  • Versatile snack, ideal for parties, game days, or casual snacking.
  • Vegetarian and made with simple pantry ingredients.
02 -
  • Use a food processor to evenly distribute the butter and cheeses for perfect crumb texture.
  • Chilling the dough before cutting can make handling easier and reduce spreading while baking.
  • Cut strips evenly to ensure uniform cooking and crispiness.
  • Don't overcrowd the baking sheet; leaving space between strips helps them crisp up better.
  • Allow cooling on a wire rack to preserve the crunchy texture.
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