Step 1

Center the oven rack; preheat oven to 400°F. Tip the cheese, butter, flour, salt, herbs, and red pepper flakes into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse the machine a few times just to break up the butter. Add the cream, and process until the dough masses on the blade -- 20-30 seconds.

Step 2

Dump the dough onto a lightly-floured surface, and then roll it into a 10x8-inch rectangle, approximately 1/8-inch thick. Use a floured knife or pastry wheel to cut the dough into 1/4- or 1/3-inch-wide strips.

Step 3

Arrange the strips 1/4 inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until the ends of the straws start to color -- 12-15 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool.

Step 4

Serve at room temperature. For best flavor and texture, serve the straws on the day you make them.