Pepperoni Cheese Straws #PepItUp

When I think of pepperoni, I think of my "boys".  My husband has been grabbing Hormel Pepperoni as a snack for as long as I have known him.  And my young "man"...my 13 year old son, fell in love with pepperoni when he was about 6 (or whenever it was I began making him the Pepperoni Pizza Muffins that I had included in my first cookbook).  Since then, I grab bags of Hormel Pepperoni often at the market and make my "boys" those muffins, pizza's, their favorite Pizza Dip or for them to have as a snack.

We all enjoy both the flavor and the convenience of the pre-sliced Hormel packs.  I can tuck some in their lunches, include it in recipes or include it with antipasti platters.  Every-time you put out pepperoni, it disappears!

These straws are easy to make and use simple ingredients that you can actually pronounce.

Why not whip up a dozen of these for your next family game or movie night? Check out all of the #PepItUp ideas and recipes, maybe you will find a new family favorite! 
AND Happy 100th Birthday to Hormel! 

Pepperoni Cheese Straws
¾ cup flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
Dash of Paprika 
Dash of Cayenne pepper
Dash black pepper
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
¼ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
½ cup grated white cheddar cheese
¼ cup minced Hormel pepperoni slices
1 large egg yolk
1 TBS water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, Paprika, Cayenne and salt.  Using a pastry cutter or a fork, work the mixture until crumbly.  
Add in the butter and work until the mixture becomes like small peas. 
Add the cheese, pepperoni, yolk and if necessary water and mix until doughy, using your hands to shape it into a ball.
Flour a silicone mat or piece of parchment paper and flatten the dough into a disk.
Flour the top of the disk lightly and roll the dough into an oblong shape about ⅛ inch thick.
Use a pizza cutter and cut thin 8 inch long sticks about ¼ inch wide, carefully move them to a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or piece of parchment paper allowing a half inch between each stick.
Bake sticks for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
We like these best slightly warm from the oven, however room temperature works as well.
My son dips them in pizza sauce.

Colleen's Notes: You could also make these into cracker shape, simply use a pastry cutter or small cookie cutter to shape them.

Enjoy!!