Cayenne-Cheddar Cornbread Sticks

Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, plus
• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 14 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup melted butter, cooled
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/4 cups old cheddar cheese