Cheese Straws - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. sharp Cheddar cheese
3 1/2 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 lb. well chilled butter

Preparation

Grate cheese with fine grater.
Place grated cheese in refrigerator to keep cold.
Measure flour into a large mixing bowl; mix in cayenne pepper and salt.
Cut butter into small pieces and blend into flour with pastry blender.
Add cheese and continue to blend until the mixture is yellow all the way through. Let stand at room temperature and keep working with fingers.
Put dough in cookie press, using star shape.
Press straws into 2 to 3-inch lengths.
Place about 1-inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake in moderate oven (375\u00b0) for 10 to 12 minutes or until straws begin to brown very lightly around the edges.
(Do not overcook.)
Makes about 10 dozen.
Store in tightly covered container between layers of waxed paper.
Cheese straws keep this way for several weeks.
Freeze for longer storage.