Cheese Straws With Crushed Red Pepper

Submitted by Ambervim

"Spicy"

 

• Ready In: 42mins
• Ingredients: 6
• Yields: 24 Straws

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
• 3⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces and softened
• 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1⁄4 - 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon half-and-half

directions

1. 1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a food processor; pulse in 5-second intervals until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add half-and-half, and process 10 seconds or until dough forms a ball.
2. 2. Turn dough out onto a well floured surface, and roll into an 8- x 10-inch rectangle (about 1/8 inch thick). Cut dough with a sharp knife into 1/4- to 1/2-inch-wide strips, dipping knife in flour after each cut to ensure clean cuts. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
3. 3. Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until ends are slightly browned. Cool on baking sheets on a wire rack 30 minutes. Break into desired lengths.
4. Note: To make cheese rounds, roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness, and cut with a 1 1/2-inch round cutter. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake and cool as directed. Freeze baked cheese straws or rounds in a heavy-duty zip-top plastic freezer bag up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.