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Cheese Straws

These delightful cheese straws feature flaky puff pastry generously seasoned with Parmesan, Gruyère, and fresh thyme. They are twisted into strips and baked until golden and crisp, making them an elegant and easy appetizer perfect for entertaining or a sophisticated snack. The recipe yields a good quantity, ideal for sharing.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 22 people
Calories 2496.7 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Rolling Pin
  • 1 Pastry Brush
  • 1 Pizza Wheel or Sharp Knife
  • 2 Baking Sheets
  • 1 Parchment Paper

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 2 sheets 1 box frozen puff pastry (such as Pepperidge Farm), defrosted overnight in the refrigerator
  • Flour for dusting
  • 1 extra-large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1 cup finely grated Gruyère cheese
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll out each sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured board until it is 10- by 12-inches. Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water and brush the surface of the pastry. Sprinkle each sheet evenly with 1¿4 cup of the Parmesan, 1¿2 cup of the Gruyère, 1¿2 teaspoon of the thyme, 1¿2 teaspoon of the salt, and some pepper. With the rolling pin, lightly press the flavorings into the puff pastry. Cut each sheet crosswise with a floured knife or pizza wheel into 11 or 12 strips. Twist each strip and lay on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned and puffed. Turn each straw and bake for another 2 minutes. Don't over bake or the cheese will burn. Cool and serve at room temperature.

Notes

1. Ensure puff pastry is thoroughly defrosted but still cold when working with it. This helps maintain its flaky structure and prevents stickiness. Work quickly to keep the pastry chilled. 2. For an extra kick, a pinch of cayenne pepper can be added to the cheese mixture. Smoked paprika would also lend a nice depth of flavor. 3. Uniform thickness when rolling is crucial for even baking. If the straws vary too much in thickness, some may burn while others are undercooked. 4. Do not overcrowd the baking sheets to allow for proper air circulation, which promotes even puffing and browning.