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Smoked Cheddar and Juniper Gougères

Miche Genest
Don’t be intimidated by the pâté choux, the same pastry used for éclairs or cream puffs.  It may seem bizarre to “cook” the flour in the butter and milk but it works. The trick is to make sure the dough is dry before adding the eggs.
Servings 30

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup 4 oz unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • ½ cup 2% milk
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ tsp Kosher salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups packed grated smoked cheddar about 6 oz, plus two Tbsp for sprinkling
  • 1 tsp dried juniper berries

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 
  • Combine butter, milk, water and salt in a medium-sized pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat and add all the flour at once. 
  • Stir briskly until a smooth dough forms. Continue stirring until the dough pulls away from the side of the pan and a thin film forms on the bottom of the pan, about 2 minutes. Stir for another minute or so to make sure the dough is dry and remove from heat. 
  • Let dough cool for 2 minutes, stirring once or twice to release steam. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition to thoroughly incorporate. Add cheese and juniper berries and mix thoroughly. 
  • Using two spoons, drop dough spaced two inches apart onto the baking sheets. (For bite-sized pieces use teaspoons; for bigger pieces use soup spoons. If you’re handy with a pastry bag, spoon the mixture into the bag and pipe onto the baking sheets using a ½-inch tip.) 
  • Sprinkle reserved cheese over top and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until puffed and golden. The gougères will sound hollow when tapped.