Chef John's Party Cheese Puffs

These beautiful cheese puffs, gougeres, are as easy as they are delicious. Usually Gruyere cheese is used but I had some very sharp farmhouse Cheddar cheese in the fridge, so I decided to use that. As long as you are using a very sharp, full-flavored cheese I don't think you can go wrong. I love gougeres with Gruyere, but I think the extra-sharp Cheddar was just as good.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 84 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter
• 1 pinch salt
• ½ cup water
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ cup flour
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• ½ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.

Step 2

Stir water, butter, and salt together in a pot; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and whisk flour into butter mixture until a paste-like dough forms, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer dough to a bowl to cool until warm, 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 3

Whisk 1 egg, thyme, and black pepper into cooled dough until egg is completely incorporated. Add remaining egg and whisk until completely incorporated into dough. Stir 3/4 the cheese into dough until combined. Scoop 1-inch balls of dough onto prepared baking sheet. Top each with remaining cheese.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until golden and puffed, 15 to 20 minutes.