Cheese straws are a traditional food of England [1] and the Southern United States. [2] They are eaten as an appetizer or snack. [3] They are made as cut strips, or by using a cookie press, from dough made with butter, flour, salt, cheddar cheese and cayenne pepper. [4] Variations use different types of cheese, spices and nuts. [3] An early recipe for cheese straws was labelled "cayenne cheese fingers" in Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management . [5]
