Bake these ahead of time and freeze them for last-minute gatherings! These flaky appetizers could be the all-time perfect partner for your evening cocktail.
Servings: Makes about 4 dozen straws
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter , at room temperature
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tsp. water, for glaze
  • 3 teaspoons sesame seeds or poppy seeds or black onion seeds , for topping
  • Directions
    Stir the cheese and butter together in a medium bowl to combine. Sift the flour, salt, baking powder, pepper and cayenne together. Stir into the butter with the water to make a soft dough. Divide the dough into 2 rectangles and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours. (If well chilled, let the dough stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling.)

    Position racks in the center and top third of the oven and preheat to 350°F

    Roll out 1 rectangle on a lightly floured work surface into a 1/4-inch-thick rectangle about 12x7 1/2 inches. Bursh the top of the dough with some of the yolk mixture, and sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons of seeds. Using a pizza wheel and ruler, cut the dough into strips about 3/4-inch wide and 3 inches long. Place the strips 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough, glaze and seeds.

    Bake until crisp and lightly browned, switching the positions of the baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through baking, about 20 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets. (The straws can be prepared up to 3 days ahead and stored in airtight containers at room temperature. They can also be frozen, wrapped airtight for up to 2 months.)

    Adapted from Art Smith's Back to the Table

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