Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (or water)
- 1 stick unsalted butter (½ cup)
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons reserved eggs (for egg wash)
- 1 teaspoon water (for egg wash)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar (finely shredded)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it's hot and ready for baking the cheese puffs.
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cheese puffs from sticking during baking.
- Heat Wet Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, butter, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add Flour: Immediately reduce the heat to low and add all the flour at once. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes a smooth dough that starts to pull away from the sides and bottom of the pan and is no longer sticky, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Whisk Eggs: While the dough cools, whisk the eggs thoroughly in a separate bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the whisked eggs for the egg wash and set aside.
- Incorporate Eggs and Cheese: Gradually add the remaining eggs to the dough a little at a time, stirring well after each addition to fully incorporate the eggs and achieve a smooth batter. Then fold in the finely shredded cheddar cheese until evenly combined.
- Pipe the Puffs: Transfer the dough into a piping bag or a freezer bag with a corner cut off. Pipe the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets in 1-inch circles, each roughly ¾ inch high. Wet your fingers and gently smooth the tops of the mounds for a neat finish.
- Apply Egg Wash: Whisk the reserved 2 tablespoons of egg with 1 teaspoon of water to make the egg wash. Brush this gently over each puff and optionally sprinkle with more shredded cheddar for extra cheesiness.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 18-19 minutes, or until the cheese puffs are puffed up and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cheese puffs from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving warm. Enjoy your light, cheesy treats!
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs to ensure they incorporate smoothly into the dough.
- For a spicier twist, adjust the cayenne pepper or omit it completely for a milder flavor.
- Make sure the dough is not too hot before adding eggs to prevent scrambling.
- Freshly shredded sharp cheddar yields the best flavor and melting quality.
- Cheese puffs can be made ahead and reheated gently in the oven to restore crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 33 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired American
