Pennies

I was thumbing through a few old church cookbooks and an old Hometown Recipes book and came across my Aunt Dot's recipe for "Cheese Pennies". They are much like cheese crackers or cheese straws. I decided to make some and make more of the family recipes in these books! It's fun seeing the names under each recipe and remembering these women and a few men too!

1 lb extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 stick butter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup chopped pecans *
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Mix grated cheese with room temperature butter. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Divide dough into 4 balls. Roll each ball into a 6"- 8" log about the diameter of a penny. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight. Slice into pennies and bake on parchment paper for 15 minutes at 375 degrees. Yields approximately 12 dozen.

* I don't use nuts in mine, but I wanted a little crunch so I added 1 cup of rice crispy cereal.

Shared on Meal Plan Monday 

Cheese Straws

These are always a big hit at parties in the Deep South. The cayenne pepper gives them the perfect kick!

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a food processor, add the butter, cheese, flour, salt and cayenne and process until a smooth dough is formed. Scoop it into a cookie press, fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the dough in 2-inch strips onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. If I am making a lot for a catered even, I pipe out long running lines and cut them to the size I want. (Alternatively, refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes and roll on a lightly floured surface into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Cut into smaller rectangles, about 2 by 3-inches, with a pizza wheel or sharp knife.) Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to racks to cool.

Cheese Straws

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
In a food processor, add the butter, cheese, flour, salt and cayenne and process until a smooth dough is formed. Scoop it into a cookie press, fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the dough in 2-inch strips onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. If I am making a lot for a catered even, I pipe out long running lines and cut them to the size I want. (Alternatively, refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes and roll on a lightly floured surface into a 1/4-inch thick rectangle. Cut into smaller rectangles, about 2 by 3-inches, with a pizza wheel or sharp knife.) Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to racks to cool.