Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.
![How to make Guyanese cheese straws.](http://www.lifeisaparty.ca/wp-uploads/2018/11/cheese-straw-recipe-1.1-1.jpg)
I first tried cheese straws one day when I was at a West Indian bakery. My husband is from Guyana, and we would sometimes go there for some Guyanese treats. Guyanese cheese straws are like a savoury, spicy cheese shortbread. They are buttery and crisp like the best shortbread, but also cheesy tasting, and then they have a little heat to them too.
They're like a savoury cookie. These cheese straws are kind of perfect. They're basically cheese crackers, only better. They often make an appearance at family gatherings, and if you're Guyanese they bring the best childhood memories.
The Perfect Homemade Gift
If you're looking for a savoury home made gift for someone special, these spicy cheese straws are perfect. A home made food treat is the great gift -since lots of people don't have time to cook or bake these days, it doesn't add clutter to anyone's house, and tastes delicious! I love cheese straws as part of a cheese board or charcuterie platter around the holidays, or even served with a soup. These crunchy snacks are also great for snacking. I think we could eat an entire batch without much trouble. They'd be a great addition to your next party.
I'm sharing the Guyanese Cheese Straws today as part of the Seasonal Simplicity Christmas series, so be sure to check out all the other amazing DIY Holiday Gift Ideas linked at the end of this post.
Ingredients
Sharp Cheddar
This recipe is best with a sharp cheddar. It helps create the best cheese flavor. You want the sharpness of an old cheddar for the very best flavor. If you don't use a sharp cheddar you run the danger of the cheese flavor getting lost and not standing out.
Real Butter
Since these crackers are very much like a shortbread cookie, real butter works best. The taste of the butter really comes through, so I won't recommend using margarine for this recipe. We make these with salted butter. If you are using unsalted butter for this recipe, increase the salt.
Cayenne Pepper
This is my mother-in-law's traditional Guyanese cheese straw recipe. They always make them spicy. The spice works so well with the cheese for this little crunchy snack. I won't recommend leaving the cayenne pepper out of this recipe, because they might be bland without it. You can reduce the pepper if you want to make a mild version. And if you like things really spicy you can up the cayenne pepper to suit your taste.
Variations
Herbs
You can add some fresh herbs to your cheese straws. Add 1 ½ tablespoons of freshly chopped herbs like rosemary and thyme to your dough for herbed cheese straws.
Cookie Press
I used a cookie press to make my cheese straws. I think this is the easiest way, since the dough is quite thick. You can also try using a piping bag to create the long strips. Fit your cookie press or your pastry bag with a open star tip to create the cheese straws. This pastry tip helps create the crunchy edges of the traditional star tube straw shapes.
If you don't have a cookie press or pipping bag you can alternatively roll out the dough on a floured surface with a rolling pin. Roll to about ⅛" thick and cut into long strips. Adjust your baking time to about 8-10 minutes or until just starting to brown on the edges.
Storage
Be sure to store your cheese straws in airtight container to keep them nice and crisp. Store the cheese straws at room temperature, for 2-3 weeks.
Or freeze the cheese straws for up to 3 months. Alternatively, you can freeze the dough in an airtight container. When you're ready to make them thaw the dough, form into straws and bake.
Serving
I used some of my cheese straws for a beautiful charcuterie board. I love this style of entertaining over the holidays. Create an amazing cheese board with something for everyone, and let guests help themselves throughout the whole party.
Top Tip
These cheese straws make a lovely homemade gift. Wrap them in clear cello bags with some ribbon and add to a bottle of wine for a wonderful hostess gift, or thoughtful homemade Christmas gift.
Yes, make cheese straws a week ahead and store in an airtight container, or in the freezer a month ahead. Or freeze the dough ahead of time, and thaw, form, and bake later.
Yes you can make these without a cookie press. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to about ⅛ inch thick and cut with a knife into long strips. Adjust your cooking time to 8-10 minutes, depending on their size.
Don't underbake your cheese straws. They should be firm to the touch and just starting to brown on the edges when they're done. Also be sure to cool your cheese straws on a wire rack. Store the cooled cheese straws in airtight container.
We don't recommend using pre-shredded cheese for this recipe. Pre-shedded cheese has added ingredients that keep it from incorporating well into the dough. This recipe is best with freshly shredded cheese.
Recipe
![How to make Guyanese cheese straws.](http://www.lifeisaparty.ca/wp-uploads/2018/11/cheese-straw-recipe-1.1-1.jpg)
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ lb sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups all purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- Grate cheese with the fine side of a box grater.
In a stand mixer or using an electric mixer, cream together the room temperature butter and grated cheese, until the mixture is well mixed and fluffy. - In a another large bowl combine the flour, salt, and cayenne pepper -¼ teaspoon if you don't like it too spicy, or up to a ½ teaspoon if you like a lot of heat. Using a whisk, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper to remove any lumps. Then slowly add the flour mixture to the butter and cheese mixture in the stand mixer.
- Beat the dough on high for about 5 min. until the dough is very creamy. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl occasionally.
- Put your dough in a cookie press, and pipe about 3 inch long straws onto an ungreased baking sheet.
- Bake 12-15 minutes in a preheated oven, until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
I hope you enjoy these delicious cheese straws. Spicy or not so spicy they're the best cheese straws for all your holiday home made gift giving, and entertaining. If you do like some spice another great homemade gift, also from my Guyanese mother-in-law is this amazing no-cook hot sauce recipe.
With this Easy Cheese Straw Recipe, life really is a party!
More DIY Gift Ideas
And now are you ready for whole lot of inspiration for DIY Gifts for the Holidays?
Today I'm thrilled to be part of a fantastic group of bloggers who are also sharing their DIY Gift Ideas for the holidays with you (many with free printable tags)!
DIY Simmering Potpourri at The Happy Housie
Scandi Style Printable Gift Tags at tatertots and jello
Wooden Calendar Holder at Lolly Jane
Peppermint Hot Chocolate at A Pretty Life
Makeup Gift Bag at Inspiration for Moms
Rudolph the Red Toes Reindeer Gift Tags at Tauni Everett
Hot Chocolate Gift Ornament at Clean and Scentsible
Chili and Garlic Olive Oil Holiday Gift at Satori Design for Living
Daiso Hot Chocolate Gift at Paint Me Pink
Gingerbread Slime Recipe with Printable Gift Tags at All Things With Purpose
Farmhouse Kitchen Wrap Free Printable at Hallstrom Home
Potted Paper Whites with Printable Gift Tags at Sincerely, Marie Designs
Printable Christmas Wine Gift Tags at The Heathered Nest
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix with a Gift Tag at Happy Happy Nester
Candy Cane Dipped Hot Cocoa Spoons at Jenna Kate at Home
Etched Glass Water Bottles at TIDBITS
Homemade Cheese Straws at Life is a Party
Gift Idea for the Pink Loving Baker at Summer Adams Designs
Christmas Flower Gift Box at Craftberry Bush
Hand Lettered Christmas Gift Tag Printables at Modern Glam Home
Holiday Gift at Grace Gathered Home
DIY Metallic Candlesticks at Love Create Celebrate
Rhonda Hallstrom says
What a great idea! These look so yummy
Jennifer Lifford says
These sounds delicious! My kids would love them! And your table setting and charcuterie board are beautiful!
Krista says
The cheese straws look delicious and so easy to make. Thank you for sharing and being a part of the blog hop.
Jo-Anna says
I think I absolutely need these to appear on my charcuterie boards this Christmas! They look DELICIOUS
Norma says
This looks so yummy! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
dnr says
Norma, thanks so much. They're a favourite of mine. 😉
Dannyelle
dnr says
Jo-Anna you do need to make these, they're a favourite of mine and so good!
Dannyelle
dnr says
Krista, thanks so much.
Dannyelle
dnr says
Jennifer, thanks so much.
Dannyelle
dnr says
Rhonda, thank you.
Dannyelle