Homemade gougères, or French cheese puffs, are a quick and elegant way to start a meal. I love baking these pretty little puffs from a basic choux pastry and watching them rise in the oven to a light, hollow little ball of cheesy goodness.
Cream puffs and gougères are made from the same traditional French pâte à choux (choux pastry). Making cheese puffs is a walk in the park and the final result is nothing less than stunning. It’s so effortless, in fact, that a group of French girls who couchsurfed with us a few years ago baked these as part of a “thank you” meal in literally minutes. That was my introduction to a love affair with gougères!
We’ll melt butter in a pot with water and salt and then use some serious elbow grease to stir in flour and remaining ingredients. Then we’ll pipe the cheesy bits of heaven onto a lined cookie sheet (or use teaspoons) and watch those delicious morsels puff right up into the most delicious cheese puffs you’ve ever made.
I strayed from the typical Gruyère cheese and opted for Maasdam because it was more affordable. You can use most types of aged cheeses- drier cheeses work best, but you can also use sharp cheddar in a pinch. This recipe is adapted from my beloved David Lebovitz, who knows his way around a French kitchen.
Tie on your apron and get ready for some serious compliments to the chef! It’s homemade gougères time!
- ½ cup water
- 3 T. butter, cubed
- ¼ t. salt
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 t. fresh thyme
- ¾ cup grated Maasdam cheese or sharp aged cheese
- Preheat oven to 425F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment.
- Add water, salt, and butter to a small pot over medium heat and cook until butter is melted.
- Quickly pour in flour and stir like mad until the dough comes together and comes away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and let rest 2 minutes.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, stirring vigorously so the eggs don't cook from the heat of the dough. Alternatively, you can plop the dough into a food processor and let it take care of the hard work. Stir until dough becomes smooth. It takes a few minutes.
- Stir thyme and three quarters of the grated cheese into the dough. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag and pipe small mounds onto the prepared cookie sheet. You could also opt to use teaspoons to mound the dough.
- Sprinkle dough balls with cheese and bake for 10 minutes and then reduce heat to 375F and continue baking for 20-25 minutes until the puffs are completely golden. Underbaked puffs tend to deflate. Cool and serve to an eager audience!
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I have never tried Gougers but I’m sure I would love them since I am such a sucker for homemade bread and pastry 🙂 I love the thyme and cheese in here and they look so nice and light!
Thanks, Kelly! These are light and airy- hollow inside. That’s why sometimes people step it up a notch and fill them with even more cheese. I’m thinking I’ll soon try stuffing them with goat cheese and olives or cheese and bacon. We’ll see. Nevertheless, they’re great as is. Happy to see you around again this weekend. Have a great one!
Yum! I think one of these should’ve been with dinner this evening. Thanks for sharing!
It could be on your plate tomorrow night, right?! Thanks so much, Leslie. These really are delicious and super easy to make. Hope you have a beautiful week.
Jelli, you’re rocking it! Amazing photos friend!
Thank you, Beth. Right back atcha! Can’t wait to see what you come up with this week. Thank you for taking the time to pop over and visit this weekend.
these look wonderful cute blog, love Costa Rica also
Thanks, Rebecca. Have you visited Costa Rica before? (Kind of sounds like it.) If so, I’d love to hear about your adventures. Thank you so much for stopping by this weekend.
Me ha encantado la receta y descubrir tu blog…..
Un abrazo
Miguel
lareposteriademiguel.com
Gracias, Miguel! Qué emocionante que veniste. Espero que tengas tiempo esta semana para probar la receta.
Absolutely love these. The pics are amazing too!
I have always wanted to try a cream puff recipe from scratch, these cheese puffs look wonderful! I just started a new link-up, Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-Up and would love to invite you to share your recipe at my linky party. 🙂 http://www.aprilshomemaking.com/2014/03/meal-planning-monday-recipe-link-up.html
These look delicious! I bet they would be gone in a matter of minutes at my house!
That happens at my house! We love cheese and pretty pastries. Thanks so much for popping over, Shannon.
These look delicious. My mouth is watering! We love your work.
It would be our honor to have you link up your projects with us at our Super Saturday Link Party each week. We go live every Friday at 7pm EST at http://www.MadeFromPinterest.net.
Thank you so much, Sherri. Hope you have a super Saturday indeed!
Now these are right up my alley! I LOVE French pastry and Gougeres are a long time favorite. These look delicious, April! Pinned!
Thanks so much, Claire! Your comment just sealed the deal on what I’m sharing at your place later this week. Hope you have a fabulous week, lady!
Hi Jelli!
These look so delicious, I just had to feature them for this week’s Tasty Tuesdays! Yay!
I hope you’ll stop by and linkup again with me, because I LOVE having you!
http://www.mrsthreeinthree.com/2014/03/tasty-tuesdays-53.html
-Karly
Thanks so much, Karly! Joined ya’ll this morning and happier than ever to be featured. Thank you!!