Cheese Straws/Crackers from Penzeys (TNT)

Cheese Straws/Crackers from Penzeys (TNT)

If you’re feeling creative, use your favorite small cookie cutters to turn these crackers into fun shapes. These are a family holiday tradition in Kieran’s family.

Ingredients

3/4 Cup flour
1/4 tsp. REGULAR MUSTARD POWDER
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. CAYENNE PEPPER or PENZEYS PEPPER
4 TB. butter, cold, cut in small chunks
1/2 Cup fine shredded cheddar cheese
1 egg yolk
1 TB. cold water
1/4 tsp. salt, PAPRIKA or CAYENNE PEPPER to sprinkle on top, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, MUSTARD POWDER, salt and PEPPER. Add the butter and mix with forks or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. Add the cheese and toss/mix well. Add the egg yolk and water and mix with a large fork until a soft dough forms. You can make them to this point, then pat into a disc, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a bit if you don’t want to do it all at once. Also makes rolling easier, just remove from fridge 20 minutes before rolling and baking.

Roll out gently, on a flour-dusted surface, to 1/4 inch thick and cut into 3/4-inch wide by 2-inch long portions for crackers, longer and thinner for straws. Sprinkle with salt or SEASONING if desired, place on parchment paper-lined cookie sheets and bake at 450° for 10 minutes or until golden and a bit puffy.

Prep. time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 10 minutes
Yield: 24 straws

Gail’s Notes:  I made these and they were “okay”, but not great. I think that’s mostly due to my using Spelt Flour instead of regular flour (which hopefully I'll remember to NOT use that flour again).