Preheat oven to 400º Generously grease corn stick or cactus shaped cast iron mold. Place greased mold in oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
In a medium bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a medium bowl, combine milk, eggs and cheddar cheese. Stir into shortening mixture just until blended.
Carefully remove hot mold from oven. Carefully fill hot molds almost full. Bake at 400 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven. Cool corn sticks in pan for 5 minutes. Remove cornbread sticks from pan. Cool on wire racks.
Notes
To add more spice to your corn sticks, use pepper jack cheese in place