These French cheese puffs or gougères are savory morsels of deliciousness! They are filled with cheese and herbs, have crisply golden crusts and aerated interiors. They are so simple and quick to create, and make for the most addictive hors d'oeuvres–perfect for your next party!
Things You’ll Need
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5 fluid ounces (150 millilitres) water
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1.9 ounces (55 grams) unsalted butter, cubed
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1/4 teaspoon ground paprika
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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2.8 ounces (80 grams) all-purpose flour
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2 medium eggs
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3.5 ounces (100 grams) parmesan cheese
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To serve: 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped herbs (parsley, oregano, rosemary, chives), black pepper and flaked salt
Step 1: Make the Dough
Pre-heat the oven to 425° Fahrenheit (220° Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Place the water, cubed butter, paprika and salt in a medium sized saucepan set over medium-low heat. Heat, whisking often, until the butter is melted.
Pour in the flour. Stir vigorously with a large wooden spoon until the mixture has formed a soft dough and is beginning to pull away from the sides of the saucepan into a smooth ball. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
Place the dough into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the beater attachment. Beat on medium speed for about 4 minutes, until all the steam has escaped and the dough is completely cool. The bowl should be cool to the touch.
Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in 3/4 of the grated cheese until well combined.
Step 2: Form the Puffs
Scrape the dough into a pastry bag fitted with a wide tip.
Carefully pipe the dough into even circular mounds, spacing them an equal distance apart to allow room for spreading. You could also use a teaspoon to form the puffs for this step. The circles should be about 1 inch (2.5 centimetres) in diameter.
Evenly sprinkle the remaining cheese over the dough circles.
Step 3: Bake
Bake for 5 minutes at 425° Fahrenheit (220° Celsius), then turn the heat down to 375° Fahrenheit (180° Celsius). Bake for a further 25 minutes, or until puffed and completely golden brown. Do not open the oven door at any stage during baking.
Step 4: Serve
When you're ready to serve, place the French Cheese Puffs onto a serving plate or tray. Sprinkle over some fresh herbs, cracked black pepper and flaked salt. The gougères are now ready for your guests to enjoy!
