Spring Entertaining
Southern Socials
Cheese Straw Wafers
Cheese straws are like an old friend, you instantly drop everything & make a bee line to greet them. Many times the nibbles are put out on side tables or with the beverages to enjoy before the main meal is served. A crisp snap & rich, buttery flavor make these delicious bites a party pleaser & they’re baked just long enough to develop a toasty cheese flavor like no other. Breakfast cereal gives these gems a bit of good crunch. Expect a spicy kick in the back of the throat. This particular variety is extremely easy to prepare and requires no special equipment. Simply blend the dough, shape into logs & chill. When you’re ready to bake them, slice as you would a batch of cookies.
Cheddar Cheese Wafers
makes 16 dozen
These savory shortbread are small so expect each guest to indulge in several during your get-together.
1 lb extra sharp cheddar cheese, at room temperature
1 cup butter, softened
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp kosher salt
3/4 tsp ground red pepper
1 cup crispy rice cereal
Shred the cheese on a box grater. Beat the cheese, the butter & the Worcestershire sauce with a heavy duty stand mixer on Medium speed for 6 minutes or until whipped & fluffy. Scrape down the bowl sides on occasion using a rubber spatula. Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, the salt & the ground red pepper. Top with the cereal. Add to the cheese mixture. Blend on Low speed just until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Each portion will weigh between 8 & 9-oz. Roll each piece into an 11-inch log approximately 1 to 1 1/4-inches in diameter on a cutting board. Transfer the logs to parchment paper & roll to cover. Place on a baking sheet & chill 4 to 24 hours.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Cut 1/4-inch thick slices of dough from the cheese logs. Place on parchment paper-lined half sheet pans about a 1/2-inch apart. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned on the edges. Cool completely on the pans. Store in an air tight container.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}
How To Make Cheese Straw Wafers
When it comes to certain kinds of dough, it can be intimidating to work with. Pie dough is usually the culprit especially if the instructions call for rolling the dough into a rectanglular shape. For some, this triggers a total meltdown & an exasperated wave of the white flag. But what you must always remember is that you are the boss of that dough. Never surrender.
The Technique
A few pieces of equipment will be needed in order to complete the task. Read through the recipe instructions before beginning. Here’s what you should know.
No. 1
The Blending Procedure
Shred the cheese on a box grater. Beat the cheese, the butter & the Worcestershire sauce with a heavy duty stand mixer on Medium speed for 6 minutes or until whipped & fluffy. Scrape down the bowl sides on occasion using a rubber spatula. Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, the salt & the ground red pepper. Top with the cereal. Add to the cheese mixture. Blend on Low speed just until the dough comes together.
No. 2
The Dough
Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Each portion will weigh between 8 & 9-ounces. For pretty penny-shaped cheese wafers, take a smidgen of care when handling & shaping the mixture. Portion the dough equally & even weigh it if you must.
No. 3
The Shaping
Once divvied, roll the portion starting in the center & work to the outer edges. Keep it tight & compact as you roll for the most even shaping. Roll each piece into an 11-inch log approximately 1 to 1 1/4-inches in diameter on a cutting board.
3a
Use a ruler to get a precise length & diameter on each of the four logs the if you want the shortbread to look pretty & slice effortlessly when ready to bake them. Transfer the logs to parchment paper & roll to cover. Place on a baking sheet & chill 4 to 24 hours.
No. 4
The Slicing
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Each log will yield approximately 48 mini wafers. Use a paring knife to make cuts straight down for the prettiest slices. If a piece of cereal drags through the cut, pinch the dough back in place & shape in a circle with your fingers. Cut 1/4-inch thick slices of dough from the cheese logs.
No. 5
The Baking
There will be very little spreading during baking. Place them close together on parchemnt-paper-lined half sheet pans about a 1/2-inch apart for quick execution. Place on parchment paper-lined half sheet pans about a 1/2-inch apart.
5a
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned on the edges. Cool completely on the pans. Store in an air tight container.
No. 6
The Cheddar Cheese Wafers
Spring socials simply are not complete without these little gems. Accompany Cheddar Cheese Wafers with Strawberry-Lemonade Champagne Punch or when a savory nibble is in order alongside Toasted Coconut Cake & Lemon Bars.
The Tune
“Irresistible You” Bobby Darin
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