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Cheese Puffs Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 53 reviews

Delightfully airy and cheesy, these classic Cheese Puffs are made from a smooth choux pastry dough infused with sharp cheddar cheese. Perfect as a savory snack or appetizer, they bake up golden and puffed, offering a light, melt-in-your-mouth texture with rich cheesy flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or paprika

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (or a mix of Gruyère and cheddar)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Heat Milk, Butter, and Salt: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, butter, and salt. Heat until the mixture just begins to simmer, allowing the butter to melt completely and incorporate with the milk.
  3. Add Flour and Form Dough: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately stir in all of the flour at once. Mix vigorously until the dough forms a cohesive ball that pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pan.
  4. Cool Dough Slightly: Allow the dough to cool for approximately 5 minutes, which helps prevent cooking the eggs when added and makes mixing easier.
  5. Incorporate Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough becomes smooth and glossy. This gradual mixing ensures proper emulsification and puffing during baking.
  6. Fold in Cheese and Seasonings: Gently fold in the grated cheese along with any optional seasonings like garlic powder or paprika to add extra flavor.
  7. Portion Dough on Baking Sheet: Using a tablespoon, drop portion-sized mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1.5 inches apart to allow room for puffing.
  8. Bake Until Golden and Puffy: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until the puffs are golden brown, well-risen, and slightly firm to the touch.
  9. Cool and Serve: Remove the cheese puffs from the oven and serve warm for best texture and flavor, or cool them on a rack for later use.

Notes

  • Use sharp cheddar cheese or a combination like Gruyère and cheddar for the best depth of flavor.
  • Make sure to add eggs one at a time and mix thoroughly to achieve the proper dough consistency.
  • The dough can be piped for a more uniform shape using a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip.
  • Serve cheese puffs immediately after baking for optimal texture as they may lose some puffiness when cooled.
  • Variations include adding herbs like chives or thyme for an herby twist.

Keywords: cheese puffs, gougères, savory snack, appetizer, cheddar cheese, French pastry

Find it online: https://trendytasterecipes.com/cheese-puffs-recipe/