Cheese Straws

BEGIN AT LEAST 2 HOURS AHEAD

2 cups room temperature SHARP cheddar cheese (or 1 8-oz brick, grated medium)

2 sticks butter, room temperature

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper - go a little light for less spicy straws

1/2 tsp dry mustard

1/2 tsp regular black pepper

Cover grated cheese and let stand on counter WITH the butter for at least 2 - 3 hours.

Pre-heat oven to 350 and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Mix flour and spices together and set aside.

Place room temp cheese and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and beat until fairly smooth.  Scrape paddle a couple of times during this process.

Slowly beat in flour mixture until well combined.  Scrape paddle a couple of times to ensure even mixing.

Place mixed dough in a strong piping bag (or zip top bag with a 1/4" hole cut in one corner) fitted with a large (1/4") round piping tip.

If mixture is too stiff to pipe, heat dough in microwave for 30 seconds.

Pipe in 5" strips onto parchment paper.

Bake at 350 until golden brown - about 15 - 20 minutes.

Works best to cook 1 sheet at a time.

MAKES ABOUT 6 DOZEN