Dixie Cheese Straws

No Southern hostess would miss out on serving cheese straws with cocktails! This is an easy wasy to create a classic appetizer.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 6-8
• Yields: 24 straws

Ingredients

• 6  ounces sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 8  tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1  teaspoon dry mustard
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. In a food processor fitter with the grating blade, grate cheese. Switch to cutting blade; add flour, butter, mustard, salt, pepper and cayenne. Pulse until dough forms.
3. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surfac; divide into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 3/8" in diameter and 18" long; cut each rope into six 3" pieces. Place pieces 1" apart on a baking sheet. Drag the tines of a fork down each straw to create ridges.
4. Bake until golden and firm to the touch, 15-20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Store straws in an airtight container up to 2 days.