French Cheese Puffs (Gougeres)

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 220°C / 425°F (200°C fan). Lightly grease 2 trays then line with parchment / baking paper.

Step 2

Place water, butter and salt in a saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil until butter is full melted.

Step 3

Remove from stove, add flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Mix until incorporated.

Step 4

Return to stove on LOW heat and mix for 1 minute (this dries the mixture out, see video for before/after).

Step 5

Remove from stove, leave for 2 minutes.

Step 6

Add 1 egg, mix vigorously until incorporated - batter splits at first, but it always comes together!

Step 7

Add 3 more eggs, one at a time, mixing until incorporated before adding the next. Good arm workout! (Or use electric beater)

Step 8

Stir in 2 cups cheese.

Step 9

Drop 1 tablespoon mounds onto trays (small cookie scoop is ideal, otherwise use a measuring tablespoon and a teaspoon to scrape out. Can make larger - good for dunking!)

Step 10

Brush with yolk, then top with a pinch of reserved Cheese for topping.

Step 11

Bake 25 minutes.

Step 12

Allow to cool for 15 minutes so they become crusty and inside dries out a bit.

Step 13

Serve warm as pre dinner nibbles, finger food at gatherings, or dunk into soups and stews!