Cheese Straws

Yield: ~120 cheese straws

Ingredients

• 32 oz. shredded cheddar cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature
• 3 1/2 - 4 cups sifted flour
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder

Directions

1. In a stand mixer, beat together the cheese and butter until it's smooth and whipped.  This could take 10-20 minutes.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together 3 cups flour, salt, pepper, cayenne, and garlic powder.  Add to the cheese mixture and beat until smooth.
3. Add enough remaining flour to form a dough that's firm, but still soft enough to push through a pastry bag.
4. Place the dough in a pastry bag with a star tip.  Pipe onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake at 325°F for 20 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack.
6. When fully cooled, use a knife to cut into thirds.
7. Store in an airtight container.

Adapted from The Food Network.