This is a favorite recipe of Petra Broberg, who was a second grandmother to the Van Dyke children as they were growing up. Cheese cookies or cheese straws are a “must” at any southern special occasion such as teas, receptions, baby showers, or bridal showers.
3 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup chopped pecans
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 pound (16 ounces) longhorn or sharp cheddar cheese
Dash of cayenne pepper
1 cup pecan halves
In a medium-size mixing bowl combine the flour, chopped pecans, butter, cheese, and pepper. Mix well. On a lightly floured surface shape the dough into a roll about the diameter of a quarter. Wrap the roll in plastic wrap, place in the refrigerator, and chill.
Preheat the oven to 350°. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Slice and place the slices on an ungreased sheet pan about ⅛-inch apart. Place a pecan half in the center of each cookie. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not brown.
Hint: This dough can be put in a cookie press and used for cheese sticks. The baked cookies or cheese sticks freeze well. Place them in a tight tin with wax paper between each layer.
YIELD: 125 BITE-SIZE COOKIES