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pastryHardFrench

Gruyère Gougères

Light, airy French cheese puffs made with gruyère and a hint of nutmeg

⏱️ Prep: 25min🍳 Cook: 25min⏰ Total: 50min👥 Serves: 36🌡️ hot
✓ vegetarian
⚠️ Contains: 🌾 Gluten, 🥛 Dairy, 🥚 Egg

Ingredients

  • 1 cupwater
  • 6 tbspbutter(cubed)
  • 0.5 tspkosher salt
  • 0.25 tspnutmeg(freshly grated)
  • 1 cupall-purpose flour
  • 4eggs(room temperature)
  • 1 cupgruyère cheese(finely shredded)
  • 0.25 tspblack pepper

📝 Make Ahead

Can be baked ahead and frozen. Reheat at 350°F for 5 minutes until crisp.

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheets with parchment
  2. Bring water, butter, salt, and nutmeg to boil in saucepan
  3. Remove from heat and add flour all at once, stirring vigorously
  4. Return to medium heat and stir until dough forms ball and pulls from sides
  5. Transfer to mixer and beat 1 minute to cool slightly
  6. Add eggs one at a time, beating until each is fully incorporated
  7. Fold in cheese and pepper
  8. Pipe or spoon 1-inch mounds onto baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart
  9. Bake 20-25 minutes until puffed and deep golden - do not open oven
  10. Serve warm

💡 Pro Tips

Eggs must be room temperature or they won't incorporate properly. Add eggs one at a time - dough should be shiny and hold soft peaks. Don't open oven door while baking or puffs will collapse. They should be crispy outside, custardy inside. Best served warm from the oven.

📜 History

Gougères hail from Burgundy, France, where they're traditionally served with wine tastings. The cheese puff is made from pâte à choux, the same dough used for cream puffs and éclairs. They represent French technique at its most elegant.

🍸 Pairs Well With

Also pairs well with:

champagnewhite-wineburgundykir