Cheddar puffs, also known as “gougères”, are easy to make as they are basically choux pastry loaded with cheese, and may include other ingredients such as bacon bits or ham.
This recipe results in morsels that are buttery with the wonderful aroma of chopped spring onions inside each puff. Give it a try for an absolutely addictive snack.
Ingredients
- 115g salted butter
- 120ml whole milk
- 120ml water
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 135g all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 140g grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 stalks spring onions, sliced into small rounds
Method
- Preheat the oven to 230°C. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Combine the butter, milk, Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- When the mixture comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the flour. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture forms a ball and dries out slightly, about two to three minutes.
- Transfer the flour mixture to a stand mixer and beat with the paddle attachment for one minute. Beat in the eggs, one at a time until each is fully incorporated into the dough before adding the next.
- When all the eggs have been added, stir in the cheese and spring onions, and mix well.
- Drop the batter a tablespoonful at a time onto the baking sheets, leaving two to three cm between each. Bake for seven minutes.
- Reduce the temperature to 175°C and continue to bake until the puffs are golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and poke each puff once with a toothpick or skewer to allow steam to escape. Serve immediately.
This recipe can be found in Rasa Malaysia.
Low Bee Yinn is a food blogger and cookbook author.