Cheese wafers or cheese straws have been in the Charleston culinary vernacular for many generations. This simple recipe will provoke many compliments. For a new twist, we?ve added pecans. Recipe yields 2 dozen wafers.
In a stainless steel or glass bowl, cut the butter into the flour with a fork or by hand until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the salt, cheddar cheese, hot pepper flakes, hot pepper sauce and pecans and mix thoroughly until well incorporated. Roll the mixture into a 2-inch log, wrap with plastic and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove plastic wrap and cut the dough into discs or "wafers" about 1/4-inch thick. Lay the wafers on a greased baking sheet and bake until golden brown and crisp, about 15 minutes.