SavvyHQ Bake-Off Recipe 3
It is with great remorse that I admit to not having started my holiday baking. My late start is certainly not due to a shortage of ideas. In fact I have a file overflowing with great holiday cookie and square recipes, both old and new. I just couldn’t seem to find a good time to start. But our annual SavvyHQ Bake-Off finally gave me the impetus I needed to get started.
Inspired by my children’s love for cheese and crackers, I thought I would begin my holiday baking with something savory. When my kids were little, I was actually crazy enough to make homemade goldfish crackers…needless to say, I only did it once. A month or so ago I came across this recipe while flipping through a magazine at the doctor’s office and, with a couple of modifications, I thought I would give it a try.
Despite having puff pastry in the list of ingredients, making homemade cheese sticks is actually very easy. They make a perfect hostess gift, either tied together in bunches with some ribbon or presented in a festive cookie tin.
Savoury Cheese Sticks
Makes about 25–30
You’ll Need
- 2 sheets puff pastry, defrosted
- Flour
- 1 egg
- 1 Tbsp milk
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, finely grated
- Smoked paprika or cumin to sprinkle (optional)
- Salt
Prep and Cook
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Roll out each sheet of puff pastry (Tenderflake has 2 sheets) to 25 x 30 cm.
- Beat egg and milk together and brush over the top of the puff pastry.
- Sprinkle each sheet of pastry with equal amounts of parmesan and cheddar cheese.
- Sprinkle the cheese with spice, if using, and gently press the cheese into the pastry.
- Using a pizza cutter, cut each sheet into 12 strips.
- Twist each strip and lay it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle with salt.
- Bake cheese twists for approximately 12 minutes or until golden, turn them over and then continue baking for another 3 minutes.
- Cool and serve with a big bowl or soup, chili or stew.
Good to Know: Puff pastry isn’t nearly as intimidating to work with as one would think.
