What Are Cheese Pennies? A Southern Snack with Deep Roots and a Crunchy Twist

Summary

Cheese Pennies are a traditional Southern cheese cracker made from sharp cheddar, flour, and butter, typically formed into small round shapes and baked until crisp. They are closely related to cheese straws but differ in shape, texture, and preparation style, offering a denser, cheesier, crunchier bite.

Rooted in Southern hospitality and home cooking traditions, Cheese Pennies remain a staple of entertaining culture across the American South—and continue to evolve through modern interpretations like Piedmont Pennies.

What are Cheese Pennies?

Cheese Pennies are a traditional Southern snack made from sharp cheddar cheese, flour, and butter, formed into small round crackers and baked until crisp. They are often described as a rounder, crunchier variation of the classic Southern cheese straw, with a rich, savory flavor and a delicate crunch.

While they are simple in ingredients, Cheese Pennies carry a long cultural association with Southern entertaining, hospitality, and home baking—often appearing at holiday gatherings, bridge clubs, cocktail parties, and family celebrations across the American South.

Southern Food History and the Origins of Cheese Pennies

Cheese-based baked snacks have deep roots in Southern American culinary tradition, influenced by European biscuit-making techniques—particularly English and French savory pastry traditions.

In the Southern United States, cheddar cheese became a widely used ingredient in home kitchens by the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to its shelf stability, affordability, and bold flavor. Cooks began incorporating it into crackers, biscuits, and savory “tea party” snacks designed for entertaining guests.

Two iconic forms emerged:

• Cheese straws (long, twisted baked strips of cheese dough)

• Cheese pennies or wafers (small, round, coin-shaped crackers)

Both became staples of Southern hospitality, especially in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, where they were commonly served alongside cocktails, sweet tea, or as part of appetizer spreads.

Cheese Pennies, in particular, became known for their “popcorn-like” eatability—small, crunchy, and easy to snack on in handfuls. 

What Are Cheese Pennies Made Of?

Traditional Cheese Pennies are made from a short list of pantry ingredients:

• Sharp cheddar cheese (the defining flavor)

• All-purpose flour

• Butter

• Salt and sometimes paprika or cayenne for mild heat

The dough is mixed until it forms a firm, sliceable consistency. The sharp cheddar is critical—its intensity balances the richness of the butter and flour, giving Cheese Pennies their signature savory bite.

Picture from: Life is a Party

How Cheese Pennies Are Traditionally Made

There are a few traditional methods for shaping Cheese Pennies, each producing a slightly different texture and appearance.

1. Log-and-Slice Method (Most Traditional)

One of the most common traditional methods is:

1. Mix the dough until smooth and firm.

2. Roll it into a log.

3. Chill until the dough is sliceable.

4. Cut into quarter-inch rounds.

5. Lay the circles flat on a baking sheet.

6. Bake low and slow until golden and crisp.

This method produces uniform, coin-shaped crackers with a dense, crunchy texture.

2. Cookie Press or Extruder Method

Some Southern bakers use a cookie press or dough extruder to form Cheese Pennies. The dough is pushed through a mold and cut into small shapes before baking. This method can produce more decorative or textured edges, but still maintains the classic flavor profile.

3. Rolled and Cut Variations

In some home kitchens, the dough is rolled flat and cut using small round cutters. These may vary slightly in thickness and crispness depending on the baker.

Baking Note

Cheese Pennies are typically baked at a low temperature. This slow baking process is important: it allows the cheese to fully dry and crisp without burning, preserving both flavor and texture.

Cheese Pennies vs. Cheese Straws: What’s the Difference?

Cheese Pennies and Cheese Straws are closely related but distinct Southern snacks.

Shape and Texture

• Cheese Pennies: Small, round, coin-shaped crackers; dense and crunchy

• Cheese Straws: Long, twisted or piped strips; lighter and sometimes airier

Preparation Style

• Cheese Pennies are typically sliced or pressed into rounds

• Cheese Straws are piped or rolled into thin strips before baking

Eating Experience

• Cheese Pennies are bite-sized and snackable by the handful

• Cheese Straws are more delicate and often served as elegant garnish-style appetizers

Flavor Profile

Both share a sharp cheddar base, but Cheese Pennies are often slightly more concentrated in flavor due to their compact shape.

In many Southern households, both are served together during holidays and gatherings, offering different textures of the same beloved cheese-forward tradition.

The Cultural Role of Cheese Pennies in Southern Entertaining

Cheese Pennies are more than a snack—they are part of a broader Southern food culture centered on hospitality.

They are commonly associated with:

• Holiday gatherings (especially Christmas and Thanksgiving)

• Bridal and baby showers

• Cocktail parties and bridge clubs

• Church socials and community events

Their small size and long shelf life made them ideal for preparing ahead of time, reinforcing their role as a practical yet indulgent offering for guests.

In many families, recipes for Cheese Pennies are passed down through generations, often handwritten on index cards or shared verbally between relatives. 

The Piedmont Pennies Story

Piedmont Pennies was founded by Becca Wright as part of an MBA class project at UNC Chapel Hill during the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as a small experiment in comfort baking quickly turned into a product inspired by a familiar Southern tradition: the cheese cracker shared among friends and family during uncertain times.

Becca began baking batches of cheese crackers for friends and family, using recipes rooted in Southern flavors and hospitality. The goal was simple: to create something that helped people “stay cheesin’” during a difficult period.

From those early batches, Piedmont Pennies grew into a small-batch snack brand focused on:

• A family-inspired Southern recipe

• Production in a commercial kitchen in small batches

• A crunchier, cheesier take than traditional cheese straws

• Multiple flavors and formats designed for entertaining and gifting

The name “Piedmont Pennies” reflects both the Piedmont region’s Southern culinary heritage and the coin-shaped form of traditional cheese pennies.

Today, the brand continues to build on that foundation: nostalgic Southern snacking, made for modern hosting, gifting, and everyday enjoyment.

How Piedmont Pennies Relate to Traditional Cheese Pennies

Piedmont Pennies are inspired by traditional Cheese Pennies but modernized for consistency, texture, and convenience.

While traditional Cheese Pennies are often homemade and vary by household recipe, Piedmont Pennies are designed to deliver:

• Consistent crispness and crunch

• Bold cheddar-forward flavor

• A nostalgic Southern profile

• Ready-to-serve convenience without preparation time

The result is a product that stays true to its Southern roots while meeting the expectations of today’s snack and gifting occasions.

A Simple Way to Enjoy Cheese Pennies Today

Making Cheese Pennies from scratch can be a rewarding process, but it also requires time, careful baking, and attention to detail—especially to avoid over-browning the cheese.

For many, the simplest way to enjoy them is to skip the prep work and enjoy a ready-made version that preserves the traditional flavor and texture.

That is the idea behind Piedmont Pennies: honoring a Southern classic while making it easy to serve at gatherings, send as gifts, or keep on hand for everyday snacking.