Gruyère Gougères (French Cheese Pastry Puffs)
MAKES 40
These are savory pastries with pillowy centers. Make them ahead, store them in the freezer, and have them on hand anytime you need a quick appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pinch of cayenne or ground nutmeg
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 1 1/4 cup grated Gruyère cheese (divided use)
Directions
- Arrange one oven rack to upper third position of oven and another to lower third position. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large, heavy saucepan, combine 1 cup water, butter, salt and cayenne or nutmeg. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat. Add flour, all at once, and stir with a wooden spoon until well blended.
- Beat in one egg at a time, making sure each egg is thoroughly incorporated before adding another. (Or, transfer dough to bowl of an electric stand mixer or food processor and beat in eggs, one at a time.) Stir in 1 cup cheese.
- Spoon dough into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch tip. Or, spoon dough into a large, food-safe plastic bag and cut across one corner of the bag to make a 1/2-inch opening.
- Pipe 2-tablespoon portions of dough into small mounds about 2-inches apart on baking sheets. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Bake 20 to 30 minutes, switching position of sheets in oven halfway through baking. Gougères are done when puffed and golden.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. Gougères can be made ahead and stored in freezer for up to a month. Reheat in 350°F oven 10 to 15 minutes or until warm.
Nutrition
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 17.0 g
- Saturated Fat: 9.0 g
- Trans Fat: 0.0 g
- Cholesterol: 115.0 mg
- Sodium: 200.0 mg
- Carbohydrates: 10.0 g
- Fiber: 0.0 g
- Added Sugars: 0.0 g
- Sugar: 0.0 g
- Protein: 9.0 g