Pimento Cheese Sticks

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350F.
2. 2
   Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cayenne in a bowl.
3. 3
   Beat together butter and cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until combined well, then beat in pimentos.
4. 4
   Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture and mix just until a dough forms.
5. 5
   Roll 1 level teaspoon dough into a ball with lightly floured hands, then roll ball on a lightly floured surface into a 5-inch-long rope and transfer to a large baking sheet (ungreased).
6. 6
   Make more ropes with remaining dough, arranging them 1 inch apart on 2 large baking sheets.
7. 7
   Bake cheese sticks in upper and lower thirds of oven, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until pale golden, 15 to 18 minutes total (sticks will flatten slightly).
8. 8
   Carefully transfer with a metal spatula to racks to cool.