bohemianwanderer – These blue cheese gougères are perfect for making ahead and freezing. Giving you a quick, impressive snack or appetizer whenever needed. With a rich, cheesy flavor and a light, airy texture, they combine the tang of blue cheese with the subtle sweetness of honey for a sophisticated bite. This recipe makes 24 gougères and requires about 10 minutes of preparation and 40 minutes of cooking, plus freezing time.
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Preparing the Dough
Begin by bringing 165g of water, 65g of diced unsalted butter, 3g of fine salt. And 1 tablespoon of honey to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Ensure the butter is fully melted before adding the flour. Tip in 85g of strong flour all at once and stir vigorously until the mixture forms a smooth dough that pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove the pan from heat and stir in 40g of crumbled blue cheese until evenly incorporated.
Transfer the dough to a bowl and let it cool slightly for a minute or two. Beat in half of the two eggs, mixing until smooth, then add the remaining eggs and beat until the dough is glossy and uniform. Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large plain nozzle. Pipe 2cm mounds onto a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or greaseproof paper. Alternatively, pipe directly into small financier molds for neatly shaped gougères. Freeze until solid, approximately two hours, then transfer the frozen puffs to an airtight container for storage.
Baking from Frozen
When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 220C (200C fan)/425F/gas 7. Arrange the frozen gougères about 2cm apart on a lined baking tray and brush the tops lightly with the beaten egg yolk. Bake for eight minutes, then reduce the temperature to 190C (170C fan)/375F/gas 5 and continue baking for another 10 minutes, until puffed and golden.
Adding the Final Touch
Remove the gougères from the oven and brush the tops with 1 teaspoon of honey. Sprinkle the remaining 20g of blue cheese over each puff. Return the tray to the oven for five minutes to allow the cheese to melt and the tops to achieve a shiny finish. Serve immediately while warm, showcasing the combination of crisp, golden pastry and creamy, flavorful blue cheese.
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Tips for Serving
These gougères can be served as part of a canapé selection, alongside a crisp salad, or as an elegant snack with wine. Because they freeze well, you can prepare them in advance and bake from frozen for fresh, golden results. The balance of sweetness from the honey and the savory punch of the blue cheese makes these puffs a crowd-pleasing treat for gatherings or casual indulgence.
