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French

Gougères

Classic French cheese puffs made with Gruyère. Light, airy, and irresistibly savory.

pastryAdvancedFrench
Prep25 minCook30 minTotal55 minServes36Temphot
✓ vegetarian
⚠ Contains: 🥛 Dairy, 🌾 Gluten, 🥚 Egg
Recipe
Ingredients
  • 1 cupwater
  • 1/2 cupbutter(cubed)
  • 1/2 tspsalt
  • 1 cupall-purpose flour
  • 4 largeeggs(room temperature)
  • 1 cupGruyère cheese(finely grated, divided)
  • 1 tspDijon mustard
  • 1/4 tspblack pepper
  • pinchcayenne pepper
Make Ahead

Unbaked gougères can be frozen on sheet pans, then transferred to freezer bags. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5 minutes to baking time.

Instructions
  1. 1Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
  2. 2Heat water, butter, and salt in saucepan until butter melts and mixture boils.
  3. 3Remove from heat. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously until dough forms a ball.
  4. 4Return to medium heat, stirring 1-2 minutes to dry dough slightly.
  5. 5Transfer to mixer. Beat in eggs one at a time until smooth and glossy.
  6. 6Stir in 3/4 cup Gruyère, mustard, pepper, and cayenne.
  7. 7Pipe or drop tablespoon-sized mounds onto prepared sheets.
  8. 8Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 25-30 minutes until golden and puffed.
  9. 9Serve warm.
Notes
Pro Tips

Room temperature eggs are crucial for proper emulsification. Don't open the oven door while baking - steam is what makes them puff. Gruyère is traditional but aged Comté works beautifully. Piercing releases steam and prevents collapse.

History & Origin

Gougères hail from Burgundy, France, where they have been served alongside wine tastings for generations. These airy cheese puffs became a symbol of French entertaining elegance and spread to fine dining establishments worldwide.

Cocktail Pairings
Pairs Well With
champagnewhite-wineginvodka
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