Cheese Sticks

cheese sticks - i found these to be very interesting.  i saw them whipped up on a cooking show and thought 'hmmm....i'm going to keep this in mind'.  recently, i had the need to create a quick and easy finger food for a get together.  as i was online searching for that quick and easy - i was reunited with cheese sticks.  i found online that there are many different versions, recipes that call for 4 cuts of flour and one stick or more of butter to the one below that called for less than one cup of flour and 4 tablespoons of butter.  also, not having a cookie press, i needed a recipe that would allow an alternative roll out method.

i was intrigued to find out what these tasted like.  they somewhat remind me of cheddar bay biscuits, so i think with a little altering these could definitely go in that direction.  some reviews said they tasted like homemade cheez-its.  i really didn't get that, but maybe with a different recipe they would have a cheez-it flavor.

i'm a fan of really sharp cheese, so i chose the sharp cheddar vs the mild cheddar.



i used my food processor for the mixing (love that thing!). some recipes suggest a kitchen aid mixer.  i have one of those too (and love it!) but liked the quick processing of the processor for this type of dough.







pretty, picture perfect version:



rustic version:




and the final product:




i made two options.  one with crushed red pepper which the recipe called for and one without for those who prefer no heat.

6 oz of shredded cheese
4 tb of butter
1/2 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp of crushed red (or not)
3/4 cup of flour

combine in the food processor and then add

1 tb of cream (i used half and half)

the cream will bring it to a dough

flour your work area and turn the dough out.  roll with a rolling pin and slice with a pizza cutter.

bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes.

enjoy!