Black Pepper Gougère is a delightful French pastry that combines the lightness of choux pastry with the bold, aromatic kick of freshly ground black pepper. These savory puffs, typically made with a mixture of water, butter, flour, and eggs, take on a savory twist with the addition of robust black pepper. The dough is piped into small rounds and baked until golden and puffed, resulting in airy, cheesy bites with a subtle heat. Gougères make for an elegant and flavorful appetizer, showcasing the perfect balance of pepper spice and the cheesy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of the pastry. The Black Pepper Gougère is a sophisticated addition to any culinary repertoire, marrying French pastry craftsmanship with a bold and peppery twist.
Black Pepper Gougere
Ingredients
- 1 cup Water
- 7 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp Kosher salt
- 1-1/4 cups All-purpose Flour
- 4 Large Eggs
- 6 oz Fiscalini Farm House Cheddar Grated
- 1 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line two baking sheets with Silpats or parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, and salt, bring to a boil. Add flour, reduce heat to medium, stir with a wooden spoon until mixture forms a ball and the excess moisture has evaporated.
- Transfer to bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle and beat for about 30 seconds at medium speed to cool slightly. Add eggs and continue to mix until completely combined and the batter has a smooth, silky texture.
- Check the consistency of the batter. It should form a peak with a tip that falls over. If it is too stiff, beat in the white of an additional egg. Check again and, if necessary, add the yolk. Finally, mix in 3/4 cup of the Cheese and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Scoop gougère batter onto baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between the gougères.
- Bake for 7 to 8 minutes or until they puff and hold their shape. Reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes. When the gougères are done, they should be a light golden brown color.
- Remove the pans from the oven and serve the gougères while hot.
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