Imagine biting into a light, airy pastry that's crisp on the outside, delicately cheesy, and utterly mouthwatering - welcome to the world of gougères! These French cheese puffs are not just an appetizer; they're a culinary experience that will transform your New Year's gathering from ordinary to extraordinary. Prepare to impress your guests with these elegant, golden-brown delights that are surprisingly simple to make and guaranteed to become the star of your festive spread.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup grated cheese (Gruyère or similar)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, ensuring the butter is completely melted and incorporated.
- Remove the pan from heat and quickly add all the flour at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. This should take about 1 minute.
- Return the pan to low heat and continue stirring for an additional 1-2 minutes to dry out the dough, which helps create a lighter pastry.
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for 5 minutes. This prevents the eggs from cooking when added.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. The mixture should become smooth and glossy. Ensure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Fold in the grated Gruyère cheese, freshly ground black pepper, and additional salt to taste.
- Transfer the mixture to a piping bag or use two spoons to drop small mounds (about 1 tablespoon each) onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 1 inch between each gougère.
- Optional: Sprinkle additional grated cheese on top of each gougère for extra flavor and golden color.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Rotate the baking sheets halfway through cooking for even browning.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes. Gougères are best served warm but can be reheated briefly in the oven.
- Serve as a delightful appetizer, perfect for New Year's celebrations or any festive gathering.
Tips
- Use room temperature eggs for smoother incorporation into the dough.
- Be precise when adding flour - too much can make gougères dense.
- A piping bag creates uniform gougères, but two spoons work perfectly too.
- Don't open the oven while baking, as this can cause the pastries to deflate.
- For extra flavor, experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar or aged Parmesan.
- These can be prepared ahead and frozen before baking - just add 2-3 minutes to cooking time when baking from frozen.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and most impressive presentation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 9g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 95mg
