Gougères are small, savory pastries made with choux pastry and filled with cheese. A popular appetizer or snack in France, they are often served at parties or as an accompaniment to drinks. Light, airy, and delicately flavored, they are a delightful treat to enjoy any time.
Prep 20 min · Cook 20 min · Serves 12
Ingredients
Water1 cup · 240 ml
Butter6 tbsp · 85 g
Salt½ tsp
All-purpose flour1 cup · 125 g
Eggs4
Gruyère cheese1 cup · 100 g(grated)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium saucepan, bring the water, butter, and salt to a boil. Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball.
Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. The dough should be smooth and glossy.
Stir in the grated Gruyère cheese.
Drop the dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each puff.
Bake the puffs for 20–25 minutes, or until they are puffed up and golden brown.
Serve hot.
The apéritif never really began until the gougères came out of Mado's oven, warm enough to burn your fingers. Somehow a batch of twelve was never quite enough for the people gathered in the kitchen waiting for them.
The Chef's Touch These cheese puffs are delicious on their own, or you can fill them with a spoonful of your favorite savory filling (such as ham and cheese or chicken salad) for a more substantial snack. You can also experiment with different cheeses in the dough; try grated Parmesan, cheddar, or feta for a different flavor.
