Zesty Cheddar Cheese Straws
Indulge in these Zesty Cheddar Cheese Straws – crispy, flavorful, and with just the right kick of spice. Perfect for snacking, parties, or a delightful appetizer, these cheese straws blend sharp cheddar with a hint of cajun and cayenne to satisfy your savory cravings. Enjoy this quick and easy homemade treat, ready in less than an hour.
4 dozen
Servings
66
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
sharp cheddar cheese
1 lb (grated)
butter
1/2 cup (softened to room temperature)
all-purpose flour
2 cups (divided)
cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon
cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 325°F (162°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter until light and fluffy. This should take a couple of minutes.
3
Gradually add the grated sharp cheddar cheese to the creamed butter, mixing until thoroughly combined and creamy.
4
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups of the all-purpose flour, cajun seasoning, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder.
5
Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the cheese mixture, mixing until a dough starts to form. If the dough is too sticky, add the remaining 1/4 cup of flour as needed.
6
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough become stiff yet pliable enough to pipe.
7
Fit your cookie press with a ridge or star tip. Fill the press with chilled dough.
8
Press the dough onto the prepared baking sheets in 2-inch strips, leaving some space between each.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese straws are lightly golden brown.
10
Let the cheese straws cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
3g
Carbs
2g
Protein
0.08g
Fiber
0.02g
Sugar
76mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Cheddar Cheese Straws?
Zesty Cheddar Cheese Straws are crispy, flavorful snacks that blend sharp cheddar cheese with a hint of cajun and cayenne spices.
What type of cheese is best for this recipe?
Sharp cheddar cheese is recommended, and it should be grated for the best texture.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 4 dozen cheese straws.
How many calories are in one cheese straw?
Each cheese straw contains 66 calories.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (162°C).
Do I need to chill the dough?
Yes, the dough should be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for 30 minutes to make it stiff yet pliable for piping.
How long do the cheese straws take to bake?
They take between 20 to 25 minutes to bake until lightly golden brown.
What tool should I use to shape the straws?
A cookie press fitted with a ridge or star tip is used to press the dough into strips.
How much butter is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of butter, softened to room temperature.
What makes these cheese straws spicy?
The spice kick comes from a combination of cajun seasoning, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
What is the total amount of flour needed?
You will need 2 cups of all-purpose flour, added in stages.
What should I do if the dough is too sticky?
If the dough is too sticky after mixing, add the remaining 1/4 cup of flour as needed.
How long should each cheese straw strip be?
The dough should be pressed into 2-inch strips on the baking sheet.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 5 grams of fat.
How much protein is in one serving?
One serving provides 2 grams of protein.
Are there many carbohydrates in this snack?
No, there are only 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the sodium content per straw?
Each cheese straw contains 76mg of sodium.
Should the baking sheets be greased?
No, the instructions specify lining the baking sheets with parchment paper.
How do I prepare the butter?
The butter should be softened to room temperature and creamed until light and fluffy.
When do I add the cheese to the mixture?
Gradually add the grated sharp cheddar cheese to the creamed butter and mix until creamy.
What dry ingredients are whisked together?
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cajun seasoning, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder.
How much garlic powder is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
What is the amount of cayenne pepper used?
The recipe includes 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for a subtle heat.
How should the straws be cooled?
Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then move them to wire racks to cool completely.
Is there any sugar in these cheese straws?
The recipe contains a negligible amount of sugar, approximately 0.02g per serving.
How much fiber is in a serving?
Each serving contains 0.08g of fiber.
Can this recipe be prepared quickly?
Yes, the straws are ready in less than an hour including preparation and baking time.
What is the texture of the finished straws?
The finished cheese straws are crispy and savory.
How much cajun seasoning is required?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of cajun seasoning.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The serving size is one straw, with the recipe making a total of 48 straws.