Cheese Straws

As promised a LONG time ago, here's the recipe for cheese straws from Paige. I'm going to try and make some today to add to my cold winter night gift bags.

Cheese straws (from Paula Deen)

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 pound sharp cheddar cheese
1.5 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1. Combine butter and cheese in food processor. Stir together flour, baking powder, salt & cayenne and add to the food processor bowl. Pulse until the dough forms a ball. Turn onto wax paper & roll into small logs. Wrap each log in the wax paper & twist the ends to keep airtight. Refrigerate until firm enough to slice.

2. Preheat oven to 350. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats or use nonstick sheets.

3. Cut the dough into 1/4 inch slices & place 1/2 inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until lightly browned. Cool completely before placing into airtight tins. Dough may be placed into resealable plastic freezer bags & frozen. Baked cheese straws may be frozen in tins. To reheat, place frozen cheese straws in a 300 degree oven for 5 minutes.