Cheddar cheese puffs are a delightful treat that combines the rich flavor of cheddar with a light, airy texture. Perfect as appetizers, party snacks, or just a special treat, these puffs are sure to impress with their cheesy goodness and subtle hints of thyme and garlic. This guide will walk you through the steps to create these mouthwatering cheddar cheese puffs that are sure to become a favorite in your household.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for sprinkling on top)
- 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- Oven Setup: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and arrange a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine Liquids: In a medium saucepan, combine the unsalted butter, water, milk, and kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure the butter melts evenly.
- Add Flour: Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to low and add the all-purpose flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth dough that pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 1-2 minutes.
- Cool the Dough: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the dough cool slightly for about 5 minutes. This step is crucial to prevent the eggs from cooking when added.
Incorporate Eggs and Cheese
- Incorporate Eggs: Shift the dough to a sizable mixing bowl. Introduce the eggs sequentially, ensuring each is thoroughly blended before adding the next. The dough should look shiny and smooth. An electric mixer may be used for easier mixing.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings: Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, chopped fresh thyme, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Shape and Bake
- Forming Mounds: Employ a piping bag with a large round nozzle to deposit the dough onto the baking sheet, spacing the small mounds approximately 1 inch apart. Alternatively, you can use a small cookie scoop or a spoon to drop the dough onto the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle Cheese: Sprinkle a little extra shredded cheddar cheese on top of each mound for an added cheesy crust.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese puffs are golden brown and puffed up. Avoid opening the oven door during baking, as this can cause the puffs to deflate.
- Cool: Once baked, remove the cheese puffs from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Conclusion
These irresistible cheddar cheese puffs are a perfect combination of savory flavors and a light, airy texture. The sharpness of the cheddar cheese, the aromatic thyme, and the subtle hints of garlic and black pepper make these puffs a delightful snack or appetizer. Easy to make and even easier to eat, these cheese puffs are sure to be a hit at any gathering or as a tasty treat at home. Enjoy the warm, cheesy goodness of these delightful puffs, and watch them disappear in no time. Happy baking!