Old-fashioned Holiday Cheese Straws

Ingredients:
1/2 cup margarine, softened
1-1/2 cups finely shredded smoked Gouda cheese at room temperature
1-1/2 cups finely shredded sharp Cheddar cheese at room temperature
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
3 Tbsp. heavy cream

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the butter and cheese and mix well with a wooden spoon (or better yet, your hands!). Add the flour, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cream. Mix well to combine. Place the dough in a cookie press fitted with a ribbon disk or star tip.

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly spray a parchment-lined cookie sheet with baking spray. Pipe the dough into 3-inch strips and bake the straws for 11 – 14 minutes until lightly colored. Remove the straws from the oven and place on wire racks to cool.

Makes approximately 30-35 cheese straws.