My mother used to make cheese straws all the time when I was young, so when I found this recipe today (in my trusty Edmonds Cookery Book), I just had to give it a go.

These are quick to make and very tasty - almost like a cross between cheese scones and cheese crackers. A great finger food for parties, lunch boxes etc. You can either use a cookie cutter for your dough (like my star and bunny shaped ones above) or if you want yours to look a bit more 'grown up' you can cut them into finger shapes (1x5cm).

Serve with dips or spreads.

Ingredients
1 cup plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
pinch dry mustard
pinch of cayenne pepper
75g butter
¾ cup grated tasty cheese
1 egg

Method
Sift flour, baking powder, mustard and cayenne pepper into a bowl. Rub in butter until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in cheese. Lightly beat egg with a fork and add. Stir until mixture forms a stiff, pliable dough. On a lightly floured board roll out dough to 5mm thickness. Cut out shapes using small pastry cutters (or cut into fingers). Place on a greased oven tray. Bake at 190°C for 10 minutes or until pale golden. Transfer to a cooling rack. When cold, store in an airtight container. Serve with dips or spreads.

Makes about 30.