Quick Cheese Puffs

            Remember those light and fluffy puffs of pastry? They are so airy and almost not there. Then you give them the ultimate flavor by loading them with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This recipe is actually one I received from my sister. They are technically called Gougere puffs and they are so very good!

            Take it as a warning, these little puffs of goodness are extremely addicting. Gougere are usually best served as a side dish. They would go well with any type of meat, maybe even pair them up with a Casserole.

The only issue we have found is there are never enough when I serve them. I really need to double or triple the recipe.

            The pastries could be made ahead of time. Do not bake! Place them on the baking trays and cover with plastic wrap tightly. Place the trays into the freezer until they freeze. They can then be placed into a freezer safe bag and stored in the freezer.

Frequently Asked Questions:

            What is a Cheese Puff?

These are cute little nibbles that go great when served with a glass of wine.

            If they are so light, how many calories are in these?

They are super savory little puffs of pastry filled with cheese. You could make different combinations of cheese.

            Would these be good for a cocktail party?

These tasty treats would be good for anytime.They can be served as an appetizer, as finger foods, or as a side dish for basically anything.

            Are these the same as the puff pastries sold in bakeries?

These are more of a fancy type of pastry. However, yes, you could make these into the sweet cheese puffs that you are thinking of.

            How do I serve these?

These gorgeous and tasty puffs can be tossed into a basket, set out on a plate or even placed on a cake tier.

What do you need to make Quick Cheese Puffs

            1 cup butter, unsalted and cut into small pieces

            ½ cup milk      

            1 tbsp sugar

            ½ tsp salt

            3 or 4 large eggs, at room temperature

            1 cup flour, sifted

            1 cup Cheddar Cheese, grated

            ½ cup Gruyere cheese, grated

How to make Quick Cheese Puffs

FIRST STEP:

Preheat the oven to 425*

Line two baking trays with parchment paper

SECOND STEP:

In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, butter, water, salt and sugar.

Stir over a low heat until the sugar and salt have dissolved and the butter has melted

THIRD STEP:

Raise the heat to medium, bring to a good simmer

Remove from the heat and immediately add the flour

FOURTH STEP:

Using a wooden spoon, stir until the mix thickens, is smooth with no lumps

There will be a film on the bottom of the pan, continue stirring, but do NOT scrape the bottom of the pan. You do not want the film from the pan

FIFTH STEP:

Transfer the mix to a food processor and let cool for a minute or two.

Add the eggs one at a time while continuously running the processor

SIXTH STEP:

Pay close attention, the consistency should be smooth and shiny. You may only need three eggs, instead of four

Immediately stir in the cheese.

SEVENTH STEP:

Using a small cookie scoop, scoop little mounds of the pastry onto the trays, an inch apart

Place the trays into the oven, immediately drop the heat to 375*

EIGHTH STEP:

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, the cheese puffs should be golden brown

Enjoy!

YUM!