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Mary Berry Cheese Straws Recipe
Saim Thour

Mary Berry Cheese Straws Recipe

These Mary Berry Cheese Straws are crisp, flaky, buttery, and packed with rich mature cheddar flavour. Perfect as a savoury snack, party canapé, or accompaniment to soups, salads, and cheese boards, they're quick to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 25 cheese straws
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: british
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pastry

  • 225 g plain flour
  • 100 g unsalted butter chilled and cubed
  • 150 g mature cheddar cheese finely grated
  • 1 tsp English mustard powder
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 –4 tbsp cold water
For the Topping
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 25 g mature cheddar cheese finely grated
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowl
  • Rolling Pin
  • Baking Tray
  • Baking parchment
  • Pastry Brush
  • Sharp knife or pizza cutter
  • Cooling Rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C Fan) and line a baking tray with baking parchment.
  2. Rub the chilled butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
  3. Mix in the cheddar, mustard powder, cayenne pepper, and salt.
  4. Gradually add the cold water until a soft dough forms.
  5. Roll the dough into a rectangle about 3mm thick.
  6. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle over the extra grated cheddar and black pepper.
  7. Cut into long strips and gently twist each strip.
  8. Arrange on the prepared baking tray, leaving space between each straw.
  9. Bake for 12–15 minutes until puffed, crisp, and golden brown.
  10. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow the cheese straws to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Keep the pastry cold for the flakiest texture.
  • Use mature cheddar for the richest flavour.
  • Avoid overworking the dough.
  • Chill the twists for 10 minutes before baking if your kitchen is warm.
  • Cool completely for maximum crispness.