Black Pepper–Manchego Cheese Puffs

Name: Black Pepper–Manchego Cheese Puffs
Prep time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: About 60 cheese puffs
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups whole milk; 8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick); 1 tablespoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 5 large eggs; 1 cup shredded aged (3 to 6 months) Manchego cheese (about 3 ounces); 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce)

New Year's Eve Thanksgiving Academy Awards French Tapas Dinner Party Manchego Vegetarian Dairy Appetizer Cheese Winter Comfort Food Cocktail Party Medium Black Pepper

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About 60 cheese puffs Medium

Total: 1 hr 15 mins Active: 40 mins

41 Ratings

Ingredients (8)

1 1/2 cups whole milk
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
5 large eggs
1 cup shredded aged (3 to 6 months) Manchego cheese (about 3 ounces)
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce)

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Nutritional Information

Calories42
Fat2.71g
Saturated fat1.57g
Trans fat0.06g
Carbs2.81g
Fiber0.09g
Sugar0.4g
Protein1.53g
Cholesterol21.99mg
Sodium40.03mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (60 servings) Powered by

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Technically called gougères, these French cheese puffs are normally made by folding lots of Gruyère into choux pastry dough for fluffy, light, cheesy bites. We changed it up by using aged Manchego, Parmesan, and a bit of black pepper, for addictive bites that will be a hit at your next cocktail party.

Game plan: The cheese puffs can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored at room temperature.

This recipe was featured as part of both our Academy Awards Cocktail Party menu and our Bar Snacks photo gallery.

by Aida Mollenkamp

Instructions

1Heat the oven to 375°F and arrange racks in the upper and lower third. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
2Combine milk, butter, salt, and pepper in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, add flour all at once, and stir vigorously until well incorporated. Cook, stirring constantly, until dough feels dry to the touch and is no longer sticking to the bottom of the pan, about 3 to 5 minutes. (The dough will form one large ball.)
3Transfer dough to a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat in eggs one at a time on medium-low speed, letting the first one completely incorporate before adding the next. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the shredded Manchego cheese. Add remaining Manchego and Parmesan cheese to dough and mix on low until incorporated.
4Drop tablespoon-size rounds of dough on the prepared baking sheets, about 1/2 inch apart. Evenly sprinkle reserved Manchego cheese over top. Bake, rotating halfway through baking time, until puffed and golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

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