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Cheddar Cheese Puffs (Gougeres) Recipe

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4.8 from 726 reviews

These Cheddar Cheese Puffs, also known as Gougeres, are light and airy savory pastries made with a choux pastry dough enriched with sharp cheddar cheese and fresh thyme. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, these cheesy puffs are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, offering a delicious blend of flavors with a hint of garlic and pepper.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup milk
  • 4 large eggs

Dry Ingredients

  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Cheese & Herbs

  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for sprinkling on top)
  • 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a sheet pan with parchment paper to prepare for baking the cheese puffs.
  2. Heat Butter Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, milk, and kosher salt. Heat over medium until the mixture boils rapidly, ensuring the butter is fully melted and the liquid is hot.
  3. Add Flour: Remove from heat and add all the flour at once. Stir vigorously and continuously for 1-2 minutes until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, indicating it is cooked enough.
  4. Cool Dough: Transfer the dough to a stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on low speed for 3-4 minutes to help cool the dough and reduce its temperature before adding eggs, preventing them from cooking prematurely.
  5. Add Eggs Slowly: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to incorporate fully. Once all eggs are added, beat at medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the dough is smooth and glossy.
  6. Incorporate Cheese and Seasonings: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, chopped fresh thyme, garlic powder, and black pepper until evenly combined into the dough.
  7. Shape Puffs: Using a large spoon, drop small mounds of dough spaced about 1 inch apart onto the prepared baking sheet. This spacing allows the puffs to expand evenly without sticking.
  8. Add Extra Cheese: Sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese on top of each mound for extra cheesy flavor and a golden crust.
  9. Bake at High Heat: Bake in the preheated oven at 425°F for 10 minutes to help the puff rise and form a crust.
  10. Reduce Temperature and Continue Baking: Lower the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese puffs are golden brown, puffed, and cooked through.
  11. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the cheese puffs warm for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • For extra cheesy tops, sprinkle more shredded cheddar cheese right before baking.
  • Be careful not to overcook the dough in the saucepan when stirring in the flour to ensure a light puff.
  • These cheese puffs can be made ahead and reheated in a warm oven for a few minutes before serving.
  • Make sure to leave space between puffs on the baking sheet to allow for expansion.

Keywords: Cheddar Cheese Puffs, Gougeres, Cheese Pastry, French Appetizer, Savory Puffs, Cheese Snacks

Find it online: https://lieblingsmahlzeit.com/cheddar-cheese-puffs-gougeres-recipe/