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How To Make Cheese Straws -Guyanese Recipe

Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.

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.

Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.

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 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.

Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.

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.

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.

Do I Have To Make It Spicy?

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.

Recipe

Yield: 4 dozen

Cheese Straws

Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 lb sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 cups all purpose flour

Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 F
    2. 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.
    3. In a another large bowl combine the flour, salt, and cayenne pepper -1/4 tsp if you don't like it too spicy, or up to a 1/2 tsp 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Put your dough in a cookie press, and pipe about 3 inch long straws onto an ungreased baking sheet.
    6. Bake 12-15 minutes in a preheated oven, until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

48

Serving Size:

1 Servings

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 72Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 73mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 2g
Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.

Package For Gift Giving

For gift giving, wrap up the cheese straws in a cello bag, or bakery box.  Or to make it extra special, use a vintage container, like this enamelware refrigerator box.  Combine the cheese straws with the recipe card, a beautiful bottle of wine, some cheese, and chutney -or just give them on their own.

Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.

Charcuterie Board

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.

Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.

For an amazing charcuterie board think about including different flavours and textures -sweet, creamy, sour, spicy, salty.

Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.

Cheese -we used a Swiss cheese, havarti cheese, and a soft cheese, think of different textures, and be sure to include everyones favourites too.

Meat -we used a mild salami, a spicy salami, some turkey pepperoni sticks, and a peppercorn pate.

Fruit -we used grapes, pears, pomegranate, blackberries, and some dried apricots and dried strawberries.

Pickles and Condiments -we included some pickled onions, gherkins, stuffed olives, and a pepper honey.  I often include a grainy mustard, and a onion jam as well.

Nuts -salted roasted cashews, and spicy maple pecans.

And don’t forget some crackers, and breads, and of course our Cheese Straws.

Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.

And what goes great with our Cheese Straws and the charcuterie board?  A little bubbly, or something else to wet your whistle.

Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.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.

Cheese Straws Recipe: spicy and savoury cheese shortbread straws, perfect for gift giving or as part of a charcuterie board.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

 

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