Derby Day Cheese Straws (Printable Version)

Crispy, buttery cheddar and Parmesan straws with a spicy cayenne kick for a savory snack.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
02 - 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

→ Pantry

04 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
06 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional

08 - 1 to 2 tablespoons cold water as needed

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a food processor, combine cheddar, Parmesan, flour, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Pulse until evenly mixed.
03 - Add cold butter cubes and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
04 - If dough is too dry, add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time until dough just comes together.
05 - Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and roll into rectangle approximately 1/4 inch thick.
06 - Cut dough into strips approximately 1/2 inch wide and 6 inches long.
07 - Transfer strips to prepared baking sheet, spacing slightly apart.
08 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown and crisp throughout.
09 - Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • Quick and easy to make with just 30 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients you likely already have
  • Perfect balance of buttery richness, sharp cheese, and gentle heat
  • Impressive presentation that looks like it came from a professional bakery
  • Ideal for entertaining, gifts, or satisfying your own savory cravings
02 -
  • Grate your own cheese from a block for better melt and flavor—pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that affect texture
  • Keep the butter cold and work quickly to ensure flaky, tender straws
  • Use a ruler or bench scraper for perfectly uniform strips that bake evenly
  • Don't overbake—remove when just golden for the crispiest results without bitterness
  • Let straws cool completely before storing to preserve their signature crunch
  • Make a double batch and freeze unbaked straws for quick entertaining—bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time
Go Back