A trio of Irish ingredients (beer, butter, and sharp Cheddar) all have a hand in making Chef John's easy, cheesy puffs rich and flavorful. Try them at your next party!
Preparation Time
25 mins
Cooking Time
35 mins
Total Time
60 mins
Calories
159 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Transfer dough into a bowl. Add one egg and whisk it into a bit of the hot dough. Keep whisking in more dough until incorporated. Repeat with remaining egg, cleaning out the whisk as needed, until well combined and dough is sticky.
Step 2
Add ¾ cup Cheddar cheese and cayenne and stir until incorporated.
Step 3
Scoop 12 rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Press a little Cheddar on the tops and sides of each puff.
Step 4
Bake in the center of the preheated oven until nicely puffed and beautifully browned, about 25 minutes. Turn off the oven and crack the door; let cheese puffs cool, undisturbed, for 30 minutes.
Step 5
Meanwhile, make the spread: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add leek and ½ teaspoon salt; cook and stir until just barely tender, 7 to 10 minutes, adding a splash of water every few minutes to prevent browning.
Step 6
Stir in green onions and sauté briefly for 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer leek-onion mixture to a bowl and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 7
Add lemon juice and mascarpone cheese and mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until cheese puffs have finished cooling.
Step 8
Serve cheese puffs with spread.
Step 9
Gather all ingredients, and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone liner (such as Silpat®).
Step 10
Combine butter, beer, salt, and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Let butter melt and bring to a simmer.
Step 11
Add flour all at once and stir with a wooden spoon until it all comes together, about 30 seconds. Continue to cook and stir until the dough dries out a bit and starts sticking to the bottom of the pan, another minute or so.
Step 12
Turn off the heat and continue stirring for another 1 to 2 minutes, scraping as much off the bottom of the pan as you can.
Ingredients
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons water, or as needed
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 tablespoons Irish-style butter
2 cups chopped leeks, washed thoroughly and drained
0.5 cup all-purpose flour
0.5 teaspoon white sugar
0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
0.5 cup sliced green onions
0.5 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste
0.5 cup mascarpone cheese
0.5 cup Irish stout beer (such as Guinness® Extra Stout)
0.75 cup grated sharp Irish Cheddar cheese, plus more to taste
