Candy Cane Themed Holiday Fun!

Celebrate the season with some holiday fun like these candy cane shaped cheese straws! The ideas are endless when it comes to that red and white striped holiday candy. Create salads, cookies and desserts with ingredients to share with family and friends. Merry Christmas!

Candy Cane Shaped Smoky Cheese Straws

Come on over for a glass of wine to celebrate the season! This easy last minute nibble plays on a candy cane theme with it’s shape but no peppermint included! The savoury cheese and smoky paprika are perfect to serve up with any beverage this holiday season.

1 cup (250 mL) finely and freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tsp (10 mL) smoked paprika

1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt

1 pkg (450 g) butter puff pastry sheets, thawed and kept chilled

1 egg, beaten

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a bowl, stir together cheese, paprika and salt. 

Using 1 pastry sheet at a time, unroll onto floured work surface. Brush generously with about some of the egg. Sprinkle evenly with half of the cheese mixture; pressing down lightly.

With a pizza cutter, cut the pastry into strips about ¾-inch (2 cm) wide. Twist each into a corkscrew shape; arrange about 1 inch (2.5 cm)  apart on the parchment paper. Curve one end into a hook to create a candy cane shape. Press the ends down on the paper. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Chill about 30 minutes or until firm. (Make-ahead: Cover with plastic wrap and freeze; layer with waxed paper in airtight containers and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Bake from frozen.)

Bake, 1 sheet at a time, in preheated 400°F (200 C) oven about 12 minutes until puffed and golden. Let cool on racks. (Make-ahead: Let cool and store for a day at room temperature in airtight containers. To recrisp, reheat briefly in 350°F oven.)

Makes about 24 cheese straws.

Some more fun ideas with a candy cane theme, check it out:

 Large and small version of these caprese salad will surely get your guests talking!

And how about a strawberries and cream candy cane for your waffles or pancakes Christmas Morning.

All these ingredients were purchased at the grocery store and put together easily and quickly which should help during the next few days of business around everyone's home! Enjoy!!!