Cheese Straws

I have been really good lately, focusing more on meals and actually figuring out what's for dinner more than 5 minutes before I need to start cooking it. I had a nice break from sweets and snacks and everything I shouldn't be eating between meals.

And then I ran across these. All I could think of was homemade Cheez-Its. For days.

Homemade Cheez-Its, people.

Over a cup of cheese is involved. Have I convinced you yet? Because I think I might have convinced myself, again.

Cheese Straws
Adapted from: Gourmet, via How Sweet It Is

1 1/2 cups coarsely grated extra-sharp Cheddar
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1 1/2 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F with racks in upper and lower thirds.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine cheese, flour, butter, paprika, and cayenne. Pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add milk and continue to pulse until dough forms a ball.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough with a lightly floured rolling pin into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Using a lightly floured pizza wheel or lightly floured sharp knife, slice the dough into 1/3-inch-wide strips. Carefully transfer to 2 ungreased baking sheets or 2 baking racks sprayed with cooking spray. Arrange strips 1/4-inch apart. (If strips tear, pinch back together.)

Bake until pale golden, 12-15 minutes, switching position of sheets halfway through baking. Allow to cool completely on baking sheets or racks, about 15 minutes.

Makes: about 24 straws

The straws that came out of the oven all golden and lovely were everything I hoped they would be. Cheesy with a little kick from the cayenne and paprika. But then there was the other half. Those that were a little thinner, thus a little browner. Once they passed from that perfect yellow color towards having a hint of brown, the Cheez-It dream was over. While they weren't necessarily bad, you could definitely taste the overdoneness, and a few were just downright burnt. I think it's high time I invest in some Rolling Pin Rings. That way I can go back to stuffing my face with a full batch of perfectly cooked cheese straws.

Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories 45	Calories from fat 26
% Daily Value
Total Fat 2.9g	5%
Saturated Fat 1.8g	9%
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 8mg	3%
Sodium 21mg	1%
Total Carbs 4.0g	1%
Protein 0.6g
Vitamin A 2%	Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 0%	Iron 1%